DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading is a full-service hotel at 701 Penn Street in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania. Operating under Hilton's DoubleTree brand, it carries a four-star classification and functions as the primary downtown lodging option for people attending concerts, sporting events and conventions in the city, as well as for business travelers working with employers across Berks County. The property combines guest rooms and suites with an in-house restaurant and bar, an indoor pool, a fitness center and event space, all under one roof on the main commercial corridor of the city.
Location and Surroundings
The hotel sits on Penn Street, the central spine of downtown Reading, directly opposite Santander Arena. That position puts guests within a short walk of arena concerts, Reading Royals hockey games, family shows and trade events, with no need to move a vehicle between check-in and the start of a show. Santander Performing Arts Center, the restored theater that hosts touring productions and orchestral performances, is also a few blocks away on the same street.
Other points of interest in the area include the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, a former eyewear factory converted into artist studios and galleries, the Reading Public Museum with its arboretum and planetarium, and the Pagoda on Mount Penn, the hillside landmark visible from much of the city. The ballpark that hosts the Reading Fightin Phils is a short drive from downtown, as are the hiking and cycling trails of the Schuylkill River corridor and the Berks County countryside beyond it. Reading is roughly an hour's drive from Philadelphia, Lancaster and the Lehigh Valley, which makes the hotel a practical base for travelers covering southeastern Pennsylvania.
Guest Rooms
Accommodations include standard king and double queen rooms along with larger suites. Rooms are air conditioned and climate controlled, and the building is entirely smoke free. Standard in-room features follow the DoubleTree pattern and typically include a work desk, a flat-screen television, a mini refrigerator, a coffee maker, an iron and ironing board, a hair dryer and a safe. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available to guests throughout the property, and room service is offered for guests who prefer to eat without leaving their floor.
Accessible rooms are part of the inventory, with features such as roll-in or accessible bathrooms available on request. Because specific configurations vary, guests with mobility requirements are best served by calling the hotel directly at +1 610-375-8000 to confirm what is available for their dates.
Dining and Bar
The hotel operates an on-site restaurant and bar, Cheers American Bistro, which serves guests and walk-in diners from the downtown area. The menu follows an American bistro format, with sandwiches, entrees, soups and shareable plates, and the bar pours beer, wine and cocktails. Because the hotel faces the arena, the restaurant often fills in the hours before concerts and games, and the kitchen is accustomed to turning tables for people working against a curtain time. Guests planning a pre-show meal on a busy event night may want to arrive early or call ahead.
Breakfast is served on site and is charged separately rather than included in the room rate. Hilton Honors members should confirm their breakfast benefit terms at check-in, since those terms depend on membership tier and rate type.
Pool, Fitness and Recreation
An indoor swimming pool is available year round, with towels provided on the pool deck. A fitness center sits adjacent to the pool area and is equipped with cardio and strength equipment, including connected cycling equipment. Both spaces are open to registered guests, and hours are posted on site.
Meetings, Weddings and Events
The hotel includes function space used for weddings, receptions, banquets, corporate meetings and conference breakouts. Catering is handled in house through the hotel kitchen, and a dedicated events team coordinates setup, menus and room blocks for groups. Its position across from Santander Arena and near the convention and performing arts venues makes it a common choice for organizations holding a downtown event that needs overnight rooms attached to it. Planners can reach the sales and events team through the main hotel number.
Parking and Electric Vehicle Charging
Parking is available for guests at the hotel, which is a meaningful consideration downtown on event nights when street parking near the arena fills quickly. The property also has Tesla charging connectors on site, four medium-speed units rated at 16 kW. These suit overnight charging rather than quick top-ups, so drivers should plan to leave a vehicle connected for an extended period. Availability is not guaranteed, particularly during busy event weekends.
Policies and Practical Information
- Check-in begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Early check-in and late check-out may be possible depending on occupancy and should be requested in advance.
- The hotel is pet friendly. Restrictions on size, number of animals and applicable fees apply, so guests traveling with pets should confirm details by phone before arrival.
- Children are welcome, and the indoor pool makes the property a workable option for families attending family shows at the arena.
- The entire property is smoke free.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided.
- Airport shuttle service is not offered. Guests flying into Philadelphia International Airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport or Reading Regional Airport should arrange a rental car, rideshare or private transport.
- A dedicated business center is not part of the amenity list, though rooms include work space and public areas are available for laptop work.
Who Stays Here
The guest mix reflects the hotel's downtown setting. Concert and hockey crowds book around the Santander Arena calendar, often arriving in the afternoon and walking across the street in the evening. Business travelers visiting manufacturers, distributors, healthcare systems and government offices in Berks County use the hotel midweek. Wedding parties and family groups take blocks of rooms for events held in the hotel's function space or at nearby venues. Leisure travelers exploring Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the outlet shopping and antiques trade of the region, or the Schuylkill River trail system also use the property as a central base.
Contact
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading is located at 701 Penn Street, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601. The front desk can be reached at +1 610-375-8000 for reservations, group bookings, accessibility requests, pet policy questions, restaurant hours and event inquiries.