Built in red and grey brick in the style of Reading's old Huntley & Palmers biscuit factory, the Reading Hotel sits in a quiet spot opposite a church, less than a mile from the town centre and half a mile from the university. It is a good-value base with free parking, a gym, and rooms that go a step further with fridges, microwaves and, in some, full kitchenettes for longer stays. Reading station is about a mile away, putting fast trains to London, Heathrow and Gatwick within reach, which makes the hotel as useful for a working week as a weekend. The town has more going on than its commuter reputation suggests. The Huntley & Palmers story once made Reading the biscuit capital of the world, and the Kennet and Avon Canal runs green and walkable right through the centre. Follow the towpath out toward the Thames on a clear morning before the day fills up, and you will see a side of Reading most visitors miss. Let the river paths lead. Book your stay at the Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading.