The Prince of Wales Hotel in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, has been a fixture on the A38 for generations. Now, after a major refurbishment and new ownership, the 3‑star country inn offers 38 en‑suite rooms, an on‑site steakhouse, and easy access to the M5 and the Cotswolds. This article unpacks who runs the hotel, how it rates with guests, and whether it fits your travel plans. Official site.
Last checked: 2026-07-31
Hotel Name: Prince of Wales Hotel · Location: Berkeley, Gloucestershire, UK · Star Rating: 3-star · Number of Rooms: 39
How we researched this
Last checked 2026-07-31.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Trip.com, Explore Gloucestershire, Hitched, OYO Rooms, LuxuryAndHotel.com, iGloucestershire.
No on‑site visit or staff interview was conducted; prices and policies were gathered from publicly listed third‑party platforms.
Snapshot of the Prince of Wales Hotel Berkeley
- Located near Berkeley, Gloucestershire, just off the A38 and close to junctions 13 and 14 of the M5 motorway (Prince of Wales Hotel – Official Site).
- 38 en‑suite rooms across the property (TripAdvisor).
- Ashville Steakhouse, a dedicated restaurant and lounge (Explore Gloucestershire).
The hotel is classified as a 3‑star country inn, per Trip.com and other aggregators.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hotel Name | Prince of Wales Hotel |
| Location | Berkeley, Gloucestershire, UK |
| Star Rating | 3‑star |
| Number of Rooms | 38 (some listings cite 39–40) |
| On‑Site Restaurant | Ashville Steakhouse |
| Free Parking | Yes, on‑site |
| Check‑In / Check‑Out | 14:00–22:00 / before 11:00 |
| Minimum Check‑In Age | 18 |
| Wi‑Fi | Free in rooms and public areas |
Who owns the Prince of Wales Hotel Berkeley?
The hotel’s ownership history includes associations with the Bay Hotel Group and the Belvilla brand, as seen on older TripAdvisor (Arabic) listings. More recently, a report from LuxuryAndHotel.com claims a £1 million renovation and reopening in 2025 under “new ownership,” though the current legal entity is not explicitly named on tier‑1 sources.
Current ownership details
The official website presents the hotel as an independent country inn without a parent brand, suggesting a shift to locally run operation. According to LuxuryAndHotel.com, the property underwent a £1 million refurbishment and relaunch in 2025, positioning it as a modern 3‑star inn.
History of ownership changes
Previous iterations were marketed as “Prince of Wales Hotel Berkeley by Belvilla, A38 M5,” and earlier references linked the property to the Bay Hotel Group. The current branding and direct booking site indicate a move away from those affiliations. The bottom line: Ownership has transitioned from a group‑managed property to what appears to be an independent country inn after the 2025 relaunch.
Is the Prince of Wales Hotel worth it?
Guest scores across platforms paint a positive picture for a mid‑range country inn. On TripAdvisor, the hotel holds roughly 4.2 out of 5 from about 600 reviews, while Trip.com users give it 7.9 out of 10 from approximately 35 reviews. The pattern points to solid value for money.
Guest reviews and ratings
Reviewers on multiple language‑specific TripAdvisor pages (Thai, Norwegian, Arabic) consistently mention comfort, convenience, and a charming atmosphere. A single reviewer on Trip.com highlighted the good value, though the sample size is small. Expedia and OYO listings add to the consensus of a satisfactory 3‑star experience.
Room quality and amenities
All 38 rooms are en‑suite and come with flat‑screen TVs, free Wi‑Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities. Several listings note the rooms are “modern” after the recent refurbishment. The official website emphasises a relaxed stay for business travellers, contractors, and leisure guests.
Value for money
Price data from TripAdvisor shows standard rooms ranging from about $82 to $239 per night depending on the date. OYO lists rates from £58, and LuxuryAndHotel.com quotes starting around €58. The pricing sits firmly in the mid‑range, well below luxury but above basic budget.
Restaurant and dining
The on‑site restaurant is the Ashville Steakhouse – a dedicated dining area that also serves as a lounge. The hotel’s official site promotes tailored catering for events, but Trip.com states that breakfast is not provided, and the front desk has limited hours (2:00 PM–10:00 PM). The trade‑off: modern, clean rooms at a fair price, but limited reception hours and no breakfast may deter some travellers.
Why is it called the Prince of Wales hotel?
The name reflects a common Victorian tradition of naming public houses after British royal titles. According to TripAdvisor, the building operated as a public house built roughly 150 years ago – a period when the Prince of Wales title was widely used in inn names.
Historical naming conventions
Many 19th‑century coaching inns along the A38 adopted royal or aristocratic names. The hotel’s origins as a pub likely date to around the 1870s, though exact records are not publicly documented. The Prince of Wales title has been held by the heir apparent to the British throne since the 14th century, making it a familiar and aspirational brand.
Connection to the Prince of Wales title
There is no evidence that a Prince of Wales ever stayed at the property; the name is almost certainly a conventional pub sign rather than a historical visit. “Originally a public house” is the key lineage point, as noted in TripAdvisor descriptions. The implication: the hotel’s name is a nod to its Victorian roots, not a claim of royal patronage.
What is the Prince of Wales Hotel famous for?
The hotel is best known as a conveniently located country inn on the edge of the Cotswolds, offering a steakhouse, free parking, and easy motorway access. Its recent £1 million refurbishment has refreshed its reputation after years as a budget stopover.
Historical significance
Built about 150 years ago as a public house, the property retains some original character. TripAdvisor reviews note the “retained original features” and the building’s history as a coaching inn. The hotel’s location in Berkeley places it near Berkeley Castle and the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, two major regional attractions.
Current reputation
Today it is marketed as a “stylish country inn and steakhouse” by Explore Gloucestershire. The Ashville Steakhouse is a highlight for dining, and the hotel’s flexible event spaces on Hitched show it is also used for weddings and private celebrations. The property is ranked #1 of 1 hotel in Berkeley on TripAdvisor, reflecting its unique local position.
Nearby attractions
Berkeley Castle is less than a mile away, and the hotel’s iGloucestershire page highlights the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre as a short drive. The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty begins just beyond the hotel’s grounds, making it a practical base for countryside exploration. What this means: the Prince of Wales Hotel is most famous for its combination of motorway‑side convenience, a steakhouse restaurant, and its location on the doorstep of Berkeley Castle and the Cotswolds.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free on‑site parking
- Free high‑speed Wi‑Fi
- Ashville Steakhouse on site
- Recently refurbished (2025)
- Easy access to M5 (junctions 13/14) and A38
- Good guest ratings (4.2/5 TripAdvisor)
Cons
- Front desk hours 2:00 PM–10:00 PM; self‑check‑in via WhatsApp app required outside those hours
- No breakfast provided (per Trip.com listing)
- No pets allowed (service animals on request)
- Room count discrepancies (38 vs 40) suggest possible rounding or configuration changes
- Limited on‑site amenities – no pool, gym, or spa
Location and getting there
The Prince of Wales Hotel is located on the A38 in Breadstone, near Berkeley, Gloucestershire. It sits just off the A38 and within a few minutes’ drive of junctions 13 and 14 of the M5 motorway. Free on‑site parking is available for all guests.
The nearest railway station is Cam & Dursley, approximately 8.97 km (5.6 miles) away. Gloucestershire Airport is about 36.39 km (22.6 miles) – a 27‑minute drive according to iGloucestershire. For those arriving by car, the hotel’s position makes it a convenient stop between Bristol and Gloucester.
For readers considering other Gloucestershire stays, see our Hatton Court Hotel Reviews for a similar countryside option.
Our pick: Who should book the Prince of Wales Hotel Berkeley?
Based on the data, this hotel works best for two specific reader types:
- Road trippers seeking easy motorway access – free parking, quick M5 connection, and flexible self‑check‑in make it a practical stopover.
- History enthusiasts exploring Berkeley Castle – the castle is a 10‑minute walk or short drive, and the Ashville Steakhouse provides a solid dinner option after a day of sightseeing.
The recent refurbishment lifts the room quality above typical 3‑star expectations, but the limited front‑desk hours and absence of breakfast mean travellers who need a full‑service hotel should look elsewhere. For a self‑contained, value‑oriented base in the Severn Vale, it’s a smart pick.
For a more spa‑oriented Cotswolds stay, browse our Cotswolds Hotel & Spa Review.
tripadvisor.com, th.tripadvisor.com, no.tripadvisor.com, expedia.com
Frequently asked questions
Does the Prince of Wales Hotel have free parking?
Yes. Free on‑site parking is provided and listed on the official website as well as Expedia and Trip.com.
What is the restaurant at the Prince of Wales Hotel?
The on‑site dining is the Ashville Steakhouse, a lounge and restaurant confirmed by Explore Gloucestershire.
Is the Prince of Wales Hotel near Berkeley Castle?
Yes. The hotel is about 800 metres from Berkeley Castle park, as noted on iGloucestershire.
What is the star rating of the Prince of Wales Hotel?
It is a 3‑star hotel / country inn, per Trip.com and other aggregators.
Is the Prince of Wales Hotel currently closed?
No. The hotel reopened after a refurbishment in 2025 and is actively accepting bookings through its official website and OTA partners.
What is the address of the Prince of Wales Hotel?
The address is listed as Stinchcombe, Breadstone, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL11 5BE, UK, per OYO Rooms and Trip.com.
Sources
- Prince of Wales Hotel – Official Site
- TripAdvisor – English Reviews
- Trip.com – Listing
- Explore Gloucestershire
- Hitched – Venue Page
- Expedia – Hotel Info
- OYO Rooms – Listing
- LuxuryAndHotel.com
- iGloucestershire – Hotel Info