Central Hidden Gem - From £125 Per Night

Close to race course Positive: Almost the ideal location for anyone attending Royal Henley Regatta, but, note, the evenings are super loud until about 3 am, so if you're racing or need sleep you may want to opt for a quieter location. Beds and pillows were comfortable. Bathrooms were updated and clean. Kitchen was well appointed and the Waitrose across the street made getting groceries easy. Appreciated the one fan but could definitely use one more for the back bedroom especially since window doesn't open. Negative: We were given the option to cancel our stay with a full refund due to a plumbing issue but opted to deal with it because finding another place within walking distance of the race course would have been impossible at that point. We arrived a day later than our reservation anyway and the issue was fixed by late afternoon. A minor inconvenience. What we weren't told though was that the outside of the building and windows are being repaired so scaffolding blocks the view and for a significant portion of our stay we had a man (although very polite and professional) working in the open windows. Aside from the debris, it made it hard to relax and enjoy our stay since his work was facing us and there was nothing we could but ensure we were dressed and try to make occasional conversation. We understand that upkeep is important but there definitely should be a warning to guests and a price adjustment while work is ongoing. We actually paid a premium because of HRR week.

Stay ruined by lack of hot water Positive: The location is great. It’s beautifully decorated and spacious. Just as it appears in the listing apart from scaffolding on front windows. Negative: The frontage was covered in dirty scaffolding so we were looking out onto builder’s rubbish. We had no hot water for the whole of our stay, a fact which was known prior to our arrival. We had just arrived when greeted by a plumber with a part he’d ordered on Wednesday, unfortunately he was unable to fix the boiler. This completely ruined our stay. Friday night was extremely stressful and was spent with the plumber, talking to the letting agent and with booking.com. We were offered and had to accept inadequate compensation. We were also offered a full refund if we cancelled our stay, which was an unacceptable offer as we were attending a wedding in Henley and there was no alternative accommodation in the area. Having to wash hair and shower in icy cold water is no fun and even more galling when you have paid a premium cost for accommodation. Budget hotels offer a full refund under the same circumstances. Check this issue has been fixed prior to booking.

Happy stay Positive: Flat was choosen for its location and because it had a parking space. Flat very clean and well equiped. Comfortable beds with good linen. Had need to contact the hosts to sort something while we were they and they were quick to respond and matter sorted without undue delay. Negative: Steep stairs to flat door and door very heavy to open - you need to give it a good push to but once that's known it was OK. Parking space (Honda Civic) very tight indeed but we managed to park only by reversing into the space which meant drivers door was against the wall so had to climb over gear stick to exit/enter car! Had we not been able to use space only long term parking in Henley is at the railway station about a 15 minute walk away.

We had an enjoyable stay in a homely comfortable apartment ideally located in the centre of Henley Positive: Very comfy apartment with everything you could need, Spotlessly clean. Comfy beds and lovely bed linen. Great location! Negative: Nothing

Positive: Location was great. Bed was comfy. Apartment was really clean.