Red Lion Hotel

Red Lion Hotel descritpion

In the center of Basingstoke, less than a 10-minute walk from the Train Station, The Red Lion Hotel has free Wi-Fi, free on-site and parking. It features rooms with private bathrooms and a cafe bar and restaurant.
The Red Lion Hotel is housed in a refurbished historic traveler's inn with the comforts of a modern hotel. It faces the old, traffic-free restaurant area of the town and the Festival Place shopping center is just feet away.
The M3 highway is within easy reach and trains run regularly from Basingstoke to Reading, London and Heathrow airport.
The street-side cafe bar and restaurant has a part-covered outdoor courtyard and serves affordable food and drinks.

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Facilities of Red Lion Hotel

Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace | Sun Deck

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge. | WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and charges apply.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Red Lion Hotel

Review 1：Very old, outdated room. Bathroom fixtures old, cracked and a bit rusty, vinyl floor so old it doesn't clean well anymore. Dirty carpets in hall, stairs and rooms. Paper thin walls (if you get my drift). HOWEVER - I was told by one staff that the rooms are in process of be renovated. He could not give me an ETA for completion.

Review 2：Comfortable bed, good size room. Great location. Hotel backdoor opens right into town, Close walk to Anvil theatre. Good prices., Nice staff, Free wifi.

Review 3：As a first time guest I could have done with a bit more verbal 'signposting' or note in room to say what to do and where to go at Brekfast e.g. didnt know where to go for breakfast & protocol i.e. help yourself/waiter driven, no one free to order a cooked breakfast so had continental I hadn't brought any shower gel & there was only a tiny bottle and no soap when i arrived Curly black suspect hair on loo seat on arrival (not mine!) Security Alarm kept going off every time i entered or left the room - I worked it out that the door doesnt close fully at first and needed a shove Couldnt open window very far Thread seemed to have gone on radiator thermostat amking it tricky to adjust the room temperature Decor a bit drab in restaurant - walls would look better cream not metallic patterned grey to lift the place Wasn't sure if ok to drink tap water in bathroom

Review 4：Staff were very helpful Close to Rail Station Close to my destination Bed very comfortable Food Delicious Value for money Extra Blanket available in cupboard Helpful reception staff All staff were polite Ticked all the key boxes for me! :) Definitley will stay again

Review 5：Nothing to. Say here at all .

Review 6：The hotel is in a perfect location although right in the centre of town it's still quiet . The staff were very friendly and most helpful .

Review 7：The quantity of the starter was poor and would of been nice to been asked if we wanted sauces to go with the meal but the food was nice regardless

Review 8：Quick service

Review 9：As other hotels in Basingstoke, there is no minibar. This investment could make the Red Lion really stand out. Please replace the curtains, they fall off easily.

Review 10：The rooms are nice and comfortable. Good service.

Review 11：Staff were very friendly and chatty and always was asking if they could help. They told us that there were parties on late at night which was nice of them. Beds where very comfy Resturant area very modern and nice

Review 12：Poor drink choice (for beer) in the bar and we had a very uncomfortable bed.

Review 13：Handily located on the Old Town high street and very close to the new shopping centre, bars, restaurants etc..

Review 14：Room 48 Was told it was quiet room but they failed to mention single glazed window which allowed the wind to whistle through Bathroom very grubby Ie hand rail and bottom of shower curtain

Review 15：Staff very friendly and helpful

Review 16：nothing to report

Review 17：Under the new owners this hotel is really getting it together - better security on the doors, improved decor and new bathrooms. The breakfast is now excellent - far better than a self service bar with luke warm food. The sausages you are now buying are so much better.

Review 18：Room noisy with a function room right underneath Pillows nylon sweaty windows only open a few mm so there is very litttle natural ventilation

Review 19：Location good for centre of town, close to shops and restaurants. Staff very friendly and welcoming

Review 20：None. Basingstoke is a underestimated place we had a great stay and will be back x

Review 21：Most of the staff. The location because we were to female friend's on a shopping weekend and the hotel was in walking distance to all the shops and restaurants.

Review 22：Despite the hotel frontage being on a street which was noisy at night, the rooms were in a newer part of the complex, located well away from this and enabling a good night's sleep.

Review 23：The heating in my room (#9) was very noisy and an idiot next door was kicking it to try and stop the air lock? It got sorted out but this has happened before to a lesser extent in other rooms so there may well be issues with the heating system. I told the duty manager that at around £100 per night this wasn't very good and the response was somewhere mid-way between "it's the going rate in the South" and "you can always stay somewhere else". Having served my time living in the much over-crowded, debt-ridden South I smiled to myself and thought, I'm only here for two nights - others have to live here! The worst thing was being at the end of the corridor by the fire door. This was opened numerous times after 11pm for slightly innebriated chavs to bring in their kebabs. It is fitted with an audible alarm.....Great.

Review 24：Breakfast was greatly improved from last time - much better than the buffet. Better security on the doors with much improved card entry locks. Excellent.

Review 25：Not good bathroom, taps hard to turn off, bad loo flush, slow draining bath.

Review 26：Very friendly happy welcoming staff, lovely breakfast man, I think his name was James Bond.

Review 27：There was nothing I didn't like.

Review 28：Staff were completely brilliant. Lovely, friendly, professional, helpful and anticipated issues with taxis, leaving early etc without me having to ask.

Review 29：Was quite noise in don't no if it was because an old building or because I had noisey neighbours. And if you don't close the room door properly an annoying noise goes off... x

Review 30：The location for the price is excellent. Plus the staff was amazing and welcoming.

Review 31：when switching on the bathroom light the air system automatically switched on, and it was very noisy, not very nice in the evening/night.

Review 32：good location, next to big shopping mall and restaurants. Staff was very helpful.

Review 33：None

Review 34：Really friendly and helpful staff - nothing was too much trouble. We ate in the restaurant and enjoyed an excellent meal. Breakfast was also very good. Would definitely stay here again if in the area

Review 35：Room could be cleaner though bed was spotless :) Bathroom could be more modern. Was a small room, but we picked that so that is ok for a night.

Review 36：Good location, close to everything. Very kind and helpful staff.

Review 37：Was more expensive than usual but I booked in advance so not the fault of hotel, just bad timing I guess

Review 38：Amazing hotel, staff were assistive and friendly, food was nice, - perfect

Review 39：The friendliness, good humour and helpfulness of all the staff we met. We felt that we were genuinely welcome, not that we were being treated to a public relations act.

Review 40：We had a problem with lights fusing in our room and we were moved without fuss to another room straight away. Staff were extremely helpful at all times.

Review 41：Slightly out dated needs a lick of paint and the edges polishing.

Review 42：Locality to our intended visit. Reception staff efficient. Great value for a Friday night! Easy exit no fuss or que.

Review 43：The hotel scheduled the change the lock for all rooms including me while guest were staying. I requested to change the door lock next day before 2 pm but they started it when I came back to my room and occupied the room for 2 hours. I had to sit in my colleague room. There were a lot of noises while they were changing lock for two days. Also they have complicated system of internet passwords. You have to get on daily basis and often they run out of password or gave a password already in use which does not work

Review 44：Great support from the staff. Bent over backwards to make sure we had a room after we had booked the wrong dates. Couldn't speak highly enough of the service I recieved. Thank you

Review 45：Lack of cask ale at the bar drove us to seek a restaurant elsewhere rather than dine in the hotel.

Review 46：Good location in the town centre and just a short walk from the train station.

Review 47：There was a lot of loud music until about midnight and 1 or 2 groups of noisy people passed by (we were on the 1st floor) We had been warned there might be a bit of noise as it is close to the town centre, but we weren't prepared for the music.

Review 48：Staff were friendly. Room size was larger than expected as we had chosen a 'small room' for a one night stay on route to Heathrow.

Review 49：Shower control very stiff.

Review 50：Located right in the centre, convenient for everything. Hotel had its own car park. Although right on pedestrian precinct there was no noise problem.

Review 51：Warm room !little window so left open but sound from road etc very noisy

Review 52：In town centre and close to big shopping centre down the hill &good parking

Review 53：Nothing.

Review 54：After spending 3 weeks on a tall ship and the hiked prices of hotels in Southampton due to the boat show, I was pleasantly surprised to find this hotel only a short train journey and even shorter walk away. The staff were pleasant and helpful and although there seamed to be some renovation work going on it didn't impact on my stay at all.

Review 55：No tea/coffee making facilities in the room , as stated on booking info. Pets not welcome but not too much of a problem as my son lives nearby and could look after my dog.

Review 56：Friendly, helpful staff. Comfortable room and facilities.

Review 57：There was a lot of street noise because of the location of the hotel. the hotel staff did warn me before my visit and I do realise that it is something beyond their control

Review 58：excellent staff, great location which absolutely suited my needs. Good food

Review 59：I did not like same repeated breakfast everyday as complimentary. For vegetarian there should be more options. and make sure it will have protein diet. like paneer, wheat. Rates should be less and fixed for room rent. dry clean rates were high.

Review 60：i like cleanliness and staff behavior.

Review 61：Only things against are its a little expensive per night and the restaurant bills are high and the morning waitress was inattentive and surly and more interested in chatting to the builders who were measuring the place up for alterations.

Review 62：All but one of the staff (morning waitress) were superbly professional, clear and positive giving a very happy welcome and feel to the place. The rooms and hotel are a good standard but sound insulation is poor between rooms. But location is great and with parking makes it good.

Review 63：Pillows not good. Dont like having to leave the key at the reception everytime you leave the hotel. But do understand it.

Review 64：Good location. Everything is very handy. Could hear the outside noise but didnt keep me awake. Reception staff really helpfull.

Review 65：Have nothing negative to say

Review 66：Staff were excellent, especially Rachael on reception, who went above and beyond to answer the annoying guest (me) who wanted to know about the history of the building at 9 o'clock at night ! Beds too comfortable (didn't want to get up !)

Review 67：A wedding party on the night of our stay. Loud music until midnight and very noisy guests all night long with TVs up loud, slamming doors and arguments!

Review 68：convenient location within walking distance of station and shops.

Review 69：Pretty noisy at night, but you are in the centre of town and it was a friday so didn't expect it to be silent.

Review 70：clean, decent shower, comfy bed, helpful staff, good value

Review 71：The bathroom was dated and the shower head needed a blooming good clean!! The breakfast hours on a Sunday could be longer 8-10.30 & check out should be 12 at weekends.

Review 72：The hotel location & the comfy bed

Review 73：Leaving

Review 74：Charlotte on reception was the highlight of my stay , to hear her lovely voice before leaving for work made the day easer to bare. Hotel was lovely and comfortable and all members of staff were brilliant . Would highly recommend this hotel .

Review 75：Lots of shopping and entertainment and eating options within immediate walking distances. The room I stayed and the function rooms have "tired" décor but are perfectly clean and certainly spacious. Breakfast staff were fabulously helpful.

Review 76：The hotel is a bit tired but a refurbishment is on the way, then it will be well worth it.

Review 77：The staff we all fantastic, the hotel was sited in a great area for eating and shops.

Review 78：Ordered a taxi through the hotel to pick us up and it turned up 15 minutes prior to the time we had arranged. Not sure if this was the Hotel's fault or the taxi company but it did make life difficult. Bathroom dated.

Review 79：Nice location, comfortable, good breakfast, friendly staff

Review 80：Due to its central location, if you stay they on a weekend night it can be noisy up till midnight. This was not going to be a problem for me as I was not expecting to be there before then but came back earlier and it was noisy which I had been advised about before.

Review 81：All of the staff were very welcoming and service was excellent. The bed was very comfortable. Would definitely stay there again.

Review 82：Having made a booking some months ago getting an email a few days before about 'noise'. The hotel is right next to various bars and a club, which is open until the early hours. Fortunately my room was above the reception area, whic was quite quiet.

Review 83：Decent location and friendly, helpful staff.

Review 84：Overall nothing to dislike, room a little hot and shower not too powerful, but just small things really

Review 85：Very welcoming staff, room good, good location, good value

Review 86：Had terrible trouble finding the hotel. Suggest instructions are given with booking confirmation i.e. follow "shops" sign and when you pass Debenham's car park take second turning on right. Simple when one knows how!

Review 87：Staff were very friendly and so helpful. Even though the bedroom was classed as small we were pleasantly surprised to see a trouser press cum ironing board and iron in the room. Usually only get this in a four star hotel and not always then.

Review 88：there was no dislikes

Review 89：The staff at your hotel we're welcoming and really helpful made our stay so much better and feeling very welcomed ... They are a credit to you particularly your receptionist first class service with a smile

Review 90：The breakfast leaves so much to be desired. Very little choice, Cold plates and very little left at 9.30 when breakfast is on till 10.00 am. Hotel needs a revamp rooms very drab. Our bedroom had a Venetian blind if I had same I would have it long dumped and it didn't keep light out in early morning.Bed was small and hard pillows.

Review 91：The location is excellent so close to town centre. The night porter Graham was so helpful and friendly.Reception staff v helpful moved us to quieter room as there was a wedding on and night clubs nearby without us requesting.

Review 92：Had an email to day before to say there would be a lot of noise as there is a nightclub next-door and a wedding during our stay. Luckily I was part of the wedding as wouldn't Have been happy to hear that the day before!!

Review 93：There wasn't much not to like. Handy location and lovely staff. Maids come everyday. Bar prices slightly high but everywhere down south is pretty much the same.

Review 94：Noisey wedding in orogress when we arrived couldn't hear in reception. Bed uncomfortable, pillows awful. Noisy on streets until after 2pm. View of guys drinking in street whilst eating breakfast. Breakfast more expensive because we didn't book in advance - but I didn't see the higher price advertised.

Review 95：Nice staff

Review 96：Tried to access the free WIFI in our room but found I needed a voucher number!

Review 97：The staff are always in the reception. They are all welcoming and friendly. Nothing is too much trouble.

Review 98：£100 for tiny room with tiny bathroom for 1 night. Have had better rooms in budget hotels.

Review 99：Great in the middle of town although it does come with the added noise of youngsters. Buy that is to be expected.

Review 100：None to report

Review 101：On the first night the staff went out of their way to assist my daughter in locating her three boys in one room. Thanks for this. On the morning after the second night my brother was taken Ill and an ambulance was called. The staff assisted with the process of organising for us to keep his car on site and providing access for cases etc. Thank you for your assistance!

Review 102：Rooms terribly furnished old battered furniture no wardrobe in room sad faded linen and carpets by room was at the back of the hotel through winding corridors and tucked out of the way

Review 103：Location was ok for my meeting

Review 104：The bathroom door didn't work, no air conditioning, a bit noisy during the night because of the clubs/pubs nearby, not very clean (but ok).

Review 105：Near the pubs, train station, restaurants.

Review 106：Rooms are tired and hot, free WiFi only available in the bar area and breakfast could be healthier, all cereal option were high in sugar.

Review 107：Well located in centre of Basingstoke with onsite parking. Reception staff excellent.

Review 108：Awkward to access - miss the turning off the one way street (easily done at night) and it's a jaunt to recirculate around the one way system. The en-suite floor in room 48 needs a little TLC.

Review 109：Welcoming and helpful friendly staff, great value, and a decent breakfast to start the day.

Review 110：Room wasn't huge, but did the job and fine for the price charged. Simple but adequate.

Review 111：Location was great. Easy to get to and from the wedding we were attending. Staff were friendly and helpful - supplied me with fan and iron on request.

Review 112：Small room. It's right next to a club so very noisy. Needed a bit of work in bedroom.

Review 113：The staff where brilliant. And right in the center of town. No need for buses

Review 114：During the evening, wasn't so good far to close to night life, kept us both awake until early hours, which wasn't good as we had to vacate at 5.30, to continue our journey.

Review 115：During the day, great location, very convenient for town, own bar, and restaurant, room was comfortable.

Review 116：It didn't affect me at all but 1/ On Friday night there was a lot of noise from a club on the side of the building that overlooks the street. I didn't hear a thing from my room though. 2/ Continental breakfast looked a bit sparse

Review 117：Very friendly staff, spacious & comfortable room, nice breakfast. Walking distance from bus & railway station and town's main shopping centre. Perfect? For me, yes.

Review 118：Breakfast was a bit expensive, I thought.

Review 119：Staff (Charlotte in particular, as well as Emily) were absolutely fantastic - we travelled with a 12-week old baby and needed to check in before 11 am, which normally isn't possible but the girls did their magic and we got our room early (thank you again!). Charlotte gave us numbers of different taxi companies which was what we desperately needed, and other girls warned us not to go back home via the M3 as there had been an accident. Top service!!

Review 120：My issue is with the house keeping staff. Since I almost stayed for a month I expected to be treated better. I think there were two people coming in my room. The girl who looked liked Chinese was very good. The other one was bad. Issues listed below are for the other one. The house keeping staff used to not change the bedding very often. They used to not keep shampoo and body wash and those days I had to buy and that was very annoying. They used to refill the milk,sugar at times. I think Wi-Fi should be provided in d room . And there was no air conditioning in the room. There was no complementary drinking water bottles provided. I had to buy every day.

Review 121：The staff was very nice. Nice breakfast. Breakfast staff was good and very friendly. Bed was very comfortable. Location of the hotel was very nice

Review 122：For the price, not great. Plumbing was clearly very old and was the kind that sends a big rumble through the room while someone nearby uses their taps. Room was dated and worn, bed uncomfortable and mattress clearly seen better days. Curtains were just looped variety at the top so let lots of light in in the morning. Breakfast not inspiring so didn't eat there. I know there are much nicer options nearby for less if I had been able to book earlier, so will endeavour to do that next time!

Review 123：The saving grace of this hotel with the welcoming and friendly reception staff and the location. Great for eating out as on the high street but still had ample parking.

Review 124：One light bulb not working but that was all.

Review 125：Room was much better than the one I stayed in last time, much brighter and less shabby looking. Whole place seems to have had a bit of a makeover. Will stay again!

Review 126：room was quite old-fashioned - dark furniture, and the shower was hopeless ! could do with a refurbishment

Review 127：the friendly staff were very helpful the area of the hotel clean room

Review 128：bathroom flush and shower was not working. bed and room was congested. booked a taxi which did not come on time. No drinking water bottles.

Review 129：location was very good. centrally located. breakfast was also good.

Review 130：The location is excellent. Asked reception where we could purchase fresh flowers and they direct us to M & S however the market was on not 50 yards away and we got a great bouquet, let them know!!

Review 131：The location of the hotel is in the town centre, and although it is close to all amenities, the building next door, hosts some very unsavoury characters. Drugs and Alcohol seems to be their priority, along with keeping the hotel guests awake at night. The second night stay was terrible, and our car was also as risk, because they wonder around the hotel car park out of control. Having looked at the entrance to this building, their neighbours have had their windows broken through bad behaviour, and told us so. Parking is also limited, and not guaranteed at the hotel. Although after our visit, we would not return anyway. I feel sorry for the hotel staff, having this continuous problem next door.

Review 132：The staff in the hotel were professional and polite. Hotel was clean and tidy. Good level of accommodation for the price.

Review 133：One bed !!!

Review 134：I really rate the happiness and professionalism of the staff very friendly and happy to help , in regards to the room we was expecting two beds but had to share the price for the room was great very cheap but you get what you pay for

Review 135：Overall the décor of the hotel is very tired and needs updating. The front bar area could be much improved to upgrade the building. it would also be a great improvement if the building could be accessed from the front even when the bar is closed. Especially after hours. I was on my own and did not feel comfortable walking down side alleys late at night. furthermore the side alleys and rear access to the hotel are not at all attractive. however the front of the hotel is. Again this lends itself to the overall appeal of the building and stay experience.

Review 136：Staff very helpful and friendly

Review 137：The noise outside the window, due to people shouting outside at 3am, and the window was hard to shut.

Review 138：It was a great night sleep in the double bed, lovely room and facilities.

Review 139：All of it. Depressed, tired, unfriendly, ugly and that's just the hotel. This seriously needs to be bought out by a big chain and dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. If they had reduced the price by 50% it would still have been a rip off. Not worth the money.

Review 140：Having come from the Double Tree in Bristol and then going on to the Premier Inn in Cambridge helped me to realise this hotel had no redeeming features whatsoever save perhaps the 10 minute walk to anywhere in Basingstoke. But that in itself was no comfort because apart from the Anvil Arts centre there is nothing in Basingstoke.

Review 141：Needs renovation - very dark room .. free wifi only in public areas(missleading information on booking confirmation!) and 10 pounds for 24hours is rather expensive - very loud housekeeping! Reception staff notvery professional

Review 142：Near to the anvil and to the train station - nice old buildingwith a pub

The Fine Print

Breakfast must be requested at the time of booking.