Acqua
Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Location: Ground Floor overlooking River Thames, private terrace
Contemporary restaurant and Bar overlooking the River Thames, where food is locally sourced and has been awarded 2 AA rosettes for its Food.
Must See:
Ancient university walls lean into cobbled lanes while the oak beams of hidden 14th-century pubs creak with academic tradition in leafy Oxford, 30 minutes' drive away. Be sure to pack sandwiches and cider for your romantic punt on the River Cherwell.
Must Do:
Board a train at Reading rail station and find yourself in the heart of London in 30 minutes. The latest hit musicals are showing at theatres in the West End while trendy bars serve gourmet cuisine and comedy clubs tickle ribs until the early hours.
What's New:
TV chef Jamie Oliver has opened a new Jamie's Italian restaurant at The Oracle, a vast shopping mall 20 minutes' walk from Crowne Plaza Reading. Sample his wild truffle tagliatelle between picking out fashion bargains in the centre's myriad shops.
Don't Go Home Without:
Strolling along the rural Thames path to the sound of gently swaying willow trees, discovering secluded locks and traditional English pub gardens. Crowne Plaza Reading's helpful Concierge can recommend the walking or cycling route to suit your schedule.
Tips:
Time your stay for the summer's Henley Royal Regatta, held 7 miles away in the quaint town of Henley-on-Thames. You can avoid traffic into Henley on the day by taking a boat cruise from Reading to the race's starting line, sipping champagne as you go.
