Last Updated on October 25, 2025

The perfect base for Henley-on-Thames

If your idea of a perfect weekend is a hotel with a view and a good book to read, look no further than spending a few days at The Relais Henley hotel, which, this year, was a partner of the Henley Literary Festival. Invited to review the hotel while attending the festival, I felt that Christmas had come early. The Relais Henley has an enviable riverside location at Henley-on-Thames, and this year, festival goers did not even need to leave the premises as over 50 events took place in the hotel’s elegant Salon. The addition of Relais Henley as a third festival venue is a testament to the festival’s ever-growing popularity. Remember when booklovers feared that the advent of the Kindle would lead to the demise of the printed book?

A read through the programme of events would make most avid readers want to spend all 10 days at the festival.  There were over 120 events for adults and children with writers from the worlds of fiction, politics, history, philosophy, entertainment, food and sport. I visited on the final weekend, and having had a taste of the range of talks on offer, I can only encourage readers to keep an eye out for the 2026 festival and to book as early as possible, as popular speakers attract large audiences.

Sitting in a marquee with 500 booklovers was a communal experience, united by our curiosity in the written word. To hear a writer with the empathy and humanity of Elif Shafak was a privilege. To listen to Sathnam Sanghera and Gary Younge discuss the difficulty the British have in talking about colonialism was an education. And to end the day, watching Graham Norton being interviewed was entertainment with bells on.

The Relais Henley was the perfect base for enjoying the Henley Literature Festival. Located in a 16th-century Grade-II-listed building, the four-star hotel incorporates modern comforts into a historical property. History buffs will be interested to learn that the building housed the craftsmen who built the local St Mary’s Church in the 1530s. In 1632, it hosted King Charles I and later the first Duke of Wellington. Georgian times brought the addition of the brick façade, which exists today. If you would like to rest your head in the same room as some historic figures, book room 108, where the Royal Coat of Arms of King Charles I is preserved over the fireplace, or room 109, wherein the 1st Duke of Marlborough was a frequent guest.

The hotel offers 40 bedrooms, and you can choose to look out over the Thames, the town, or the courtyard garden. Our large room overlooked trees and the river beyond. It had a traditional feel, with modern touches including a jaunty striped carpet and the old ceiling beams painted white. There was a capacious wooden armoire, a very comfortable bed, and a seating area with a good armchair for reading. Tea and coffee were available with a kettle provided. The bathroom was marble-clad with a small rain shower and good-quality toiletries.

All-day dining at The Relais Henley

Henley-on-Thames has a plethora of restaurants, bars and cafes, but there are so many food and beverage opportunities at The Relais Henley, you may choose to stay in. You can savour the farm-to-table cuisine at Restaurant Dominic Chapman, relax in the wooden-beamed Quarterback Bar, the Luxe Café for afternoon tea, or the courtyard Oasis with its Moroccan marquee.

On entering the grand doors of The Relais Henley, my eye was drawn to The Luxe Café, which occupies a charming space to the right of the entrance. It had only been open for two weeks yet was already popular.  Having used public transport to reach Henley-on-Thames, I had been travelling for several hours and arrived slightly frazzled, rather hungry and far too early for check-in. In no time, I was cossetted by the warm welcome and swift service of The Luxe Café. My husband and I shared a bowl of cream of mushroom soup and a fresh salad with Stilton, walnuts, and prosciutto. All well presented and tasty. The Luxe Café was a perfect stop for festival-goers who queued up for light lunches or coffee and cake between sessions. The cakes looked lovely, and choosing between the luscious chocolate or the circular red velvet cakes was not easy. Afternoon tea with champagne is served, too.

We enjoyed a late dinner at Restaurant Dominic Chapman, which is the in-house restaurant at The Relais Henley. The restaurant was elegantly colourful, with orange banquettes and sage green walls. In the centre of the room, there was a sailing boat suspended from the ceiling, in keeping with the rowing theme of Henley-on-Thames, with its famous annual regatta.

The menu was Modern British with ingredients sourced from around the UK, including Cornwall, Scotland, and Hereford. There was plenty to choose from, with five starters, five mains, and four desserts. Pescatarians were particularly well catered for. The menu included many popular favourites, such as fishcakes, fried squid, chicken liver parfait, fish and chips, steak, and a cheeseburger.

We began with a fried Cornish squid with a crispy batter and delicious garlic mayo. A fishcake starter was served with a leek-and-grain-mustard sauce, a gentle accompaniment to the fish.

The main courses arrived with impressive presentation and generous portions. The Hereford bavette steak came with peppercorn sauce, creamed spinach, and fries. Cooked medium rare, it was well-aged, deeply flavoured, and accompanied by a rich, meaty jus. The Cotswold chicken breast was served with Scottish girolles, hispi cabbage, tarragon sauce, and gnocchi; a substantial dish of plump gnocchi, bright cabbage adding crunch and colour, and girolles scattered across the plate. The tarragon-scented sauce complemented the tender chicken beautifully. To finish, I chose an apple and plum crumble with vanilla ice cream, while my husband enjoyed a chocolate fondant with the same smooth accompaniment

Off the reception area is the Quarterdeck Bar, which was in full swing on a Friday evening. It is an inviting space with original wooden beams, contemporary furniture and good mood lighting.

The following morning, we were back on a bright orange banquette for a buffet breakfast. All the components of a full English were served in chafing dishes. I opted for a glass jar of creamy yoghurt with fruit compote. There was a display of Viennoiserie, bread to toast, a range of cereals, juices and fruit. We were well set up for another day of fascinating conversations with writers, including the journalist, food critic and Masterchef guest judge, Jimi Famurewa.

The Relais Henley is a most convenient location for enjoying the festivals for which Henley-on-Thames is renowned. In addition to the Literary Festival, the Henley Royal Regatta, dating back to 1839, takes place in July, the Rewind Festival South, a music festival, takes place in August, and the Henley Beer Festival in October. If you want to explore Oxfordshire, the hotel can organise day trips or special interest visits. Henley-on-Thames is 45 minutes from Heathrow or an hour from Paddington Station.

The Relais Henley, Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2AR

Henley Literature Festival, Henley-on-Thames

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