Hilton Hotels in Reading

Overall this is a really nice hotel, but what would make it really great is a little more staff training. The staff are all really lovely, but they lack a bit of common sense and management. The hotel appears to be aiming for a high end of the market, so we were surprised by the poor training of some of the staff. The chap behind the bar on the two evenings we were there was really nice, but oh my goodness he was so slow. Each time we ordered a drink we had to tell him two or three times what we wanted. They didn't have the wine I wanted, but instead of handing me a list of their wines or telling me what wines they have, he just looked blankly at me and waited for me to ask if he had a certain wine. When he had poured the drinks he never told us how much they were, he just got the card machine out (they don't take cash) and we paid. We had to ask for the card machine receipt, but never gave us a till receipt so we still have no idea how much each individual drink cost. By the way the drinks are really expensive. The first night we had a pint of larger and a large white wine which came to £15.30p and the next night two large glasses of wine (one red, one white) which came to £23.50p. At no time during our stay were we offered a till receipt. We were shocked by the half pint and pint glasses given to customers (even ladies) which were the old fashioned ones with handles, which we hadn't seen for many years. Some ladies were struggling to drink from them. I really think the hotel should reconsider this and at least offer ladies a tall glass. The same chap was on his own behind the bar for both nights, but at no point did any other member of staff come to help him, especially when quite a bit queue had formed (because he was so slow), even though there were plenty of staff in the area. The waiting staff were friendly and polite, but again lacked a bit of guidance and training. One of the young waiters was wiping a table while the plates etc were still on the table. We wanted a table that people had just left and he kindly said he would clear the table for us and re-set it. He did re-set it, but didn't wipe it over and left the jug of water from the previous people. It is a large hotel and there were two coach trips booked in as well as quite a few other guests, so it was quite busy on both evenings. Having said this the hotel rooms were lovely and we enjoyed our stay. Our room was on the first floor which was nice and quiet. Rooms were extremely clean and tidy and well maintained. We were on a coach trip, so not in the hotel much of the time during the day. A few tweaks and this could be a really top notch hotel. Top tip: if the bar prices put you off, pop round to the local shop (turn left out of the main entrance of the hotel, turn right at the end of the road and there are a couple of shops up there and a cafe). You can buy drink there to put in the fridge in your room. Also, ice machine on the first floor by the lifts