Alton Towers Hotel

[Debs Hill]

Has anyone out there atyed in the Alton Towers hotel? If so, which room/suite did you have? Any photos? What were your impressions?

 

[neilybealy]

we stayed at the alton towers hotel 3 years ago.....

we only had a "garden" room which a typically sized room, no frills i would have said.....

we did ask to have a look at one of the "themed" rooms and they took us up - they looked ok i guess but not really worth the money unless you had 6 adults willing to share......

we were very surprised to learn that they only had one room of each theme so you can imagine they get booked up quite far in advance

one thing they should tell you at check in is the swimming pool arrangements - you have to book in advance to use the pool which can be annoying.

we did have a great time when we stayed, it was great being so close to the hotel - the girls weren't impressed with the walk to the park on the early entry thing - the path is basically a mud track and it had rained overnight.

 

[BONZO]

Deb,

Scotty (Mo) - went recently.

We've booked for two nights on August and I'll post a mini trip report when I get back.

 

[Dimplenose]

We stayed there a few years ago. The hotel was lovely and the staff very helpful (especially when my daughter dropped and smashed a glass in the sink) but we found the fact we had to book a time for everything spoilt the trip. I'd never stay there again.

I did a day visit to AT this Easter and there was a lot of building work going on between the hotel and the monorail. Someone who has stayed recently might be able to tell you if it's of any bother to guests.

Libby

 

[Bilboo]

Some friends stayed recently in one of the themed rooms, they thought it was 'OK' but nowhere near worth the money (about £300 for the night).

One thing that did annoy them was the hotel had a group on for entertainment in the bar (which apparently is near enought in the foyer) and as the themed rooms are on the top floor of the atrium they heard the music quite late into the night when they were trying to rest. Their initial complaint was brushed off but after about 2 months of trying managed to get a good discount on a room in the new hotel when it opens.

Cheers.

 

[LindseyUK]

I've never stayed at the Hotel as we've always found it way too expensive for just 2 of us...I also heard that the restaurant is very expensive but this an unconfirmed rumour!
We always stay at a b&b nearby- there are plenty to choose from and you can be at the park in a few minutes....but not as much fun as a themed hotel room I suppose!

 

[Mazzy]

Well, lots of negative comments there, but I have to say I absolutely LOVE the place!

We have stayed three times now, twice in an Explorer room (double and bunks) and once in a garden room (double and single with pullout single). We prefer the Explorer room as you don't have fourth bed taking up floor space like you do in the Garden Room. The bunks are very big, so plenty of room for bigger kids.

The atmosphere in the hotel is brilliant, they have characters wandering round, entertainment every evening in the ship in the foyer, a kids club (but kids can come out on their own, so not suitable for very tiny ones), a special room for parents with younger children which has a fridge, sink, kettle etc which is great for making up bottles etc, it even has a small 'pen' which you can put the child in whilst you sort things out.

The pool is lovely, with a jacuzzi too. You do have to book a time but we didn't find this a problem as we went in the pool when we first arrived in the early afternoon and it was nearly empty.

The restaurant is great, lovely continental breakfast or the option to pay extra for full cooked breakfast. There is also a character breakfast but we didn't do that as it was quite expensive and the continental breakfast is included in the room price so we couldn't justify that. Evening meals are very nice, it is expensive, but the service is very good, and if like us it is a 'special treat' we just pay and enjoy! Entertainers such as a pirate and magician come round the tables and are brilliant.

The gardens to the hotel are beautiful, with lots of hills for the kids to let off steam on, fountains, ducks wandering round and a small pavilion and lots of seating outside.

If you take advantage of the early entry for the big rides (which we didn't), you do walk down a country path, but if you go to the park for normal opening time, its a proper road, about a 2 min walk to the monorail, which then takes you into the park.

Not forgetting that in the room is 'hidden treasure' for the kids to find so that's fun for them. And if you want to treat someone (or yourself) you can arrange for flowers, choccies, balloons or birthday cake etc to be in the room on arrival, and also for a personal message to be on the TV.

So as you can see we do love the hotel, and we don't even HAVE to stay over as we only live just over an hour away, so that shows how much we love it!

You can ring Alton Towers for a brochure, which shows you the rooms and has lots of pictures in, and explains the entertainment. The number to call is 0990 00 11 00.

Let us know what you decide!

BTW, didn't know there was going to be a new hotel, does anyone have any info on this?

 

[AlisonB]

We saw an advert/billboard for the new hotel when we were at Chessington recently.....it'll also have a waterpark! Sounds great - but I'll reserve judgement till we see it. We'll report back after our trip on 11th August.

 

[snookhams]

We too loved it in fact we had only booked for one night and the next morning asked if a room was available that night and we got the last one, it did mean that we had to change rooms though but that was ok. It is expensive but we did not feel ripped off ( and we had got an excellent deal on our theme park tickets from DH work), and as we were having a late holiday that year (oct. at WDW) we thought of it as an extra treat for the children. The restaurant was a tad on the expensive side, but the breakfast that was included was excellent, good choice and plenty of it, it was explained to us at check in about the swimming pool - which the kids enjoyed although it's not that big - Hope you too enjoy your stay.

 

[richard3330]

THE ALTON TOWERS HOTEL IS GREAT!

We live a long way from AT so this hotel is a great place to stay.

We stayed in the Chocolate Room: IT WAS AMAZING!. The theming is superbly carried out and you get a superb machine that despenses unlimited amounts ofchocolate and the chocolate style walls and beds add to the amazing atmosphere.

The swimming pool is nice, and they only allow a certain amount of people in at certain times in the evening, I think you can book though.

The Secret Garden Restaurant is nice and has a wide choice of food on the menu, but is fairly expensive.

You get early access to AT at certain times free.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.


P.S
There is a new AT hotel opening soon with its own 'water park' I have started a new thread 'bout this.

 

[Scotfan]

We were there as Shaun said on the 4th July, we had a Garden room next to the stair well we enjoyed it and will go back probably when the new hotel is opened. We were told that it would open next May and is roughly the same size as the current one, the water park is to be used by both hotels and is all on a colourful caribbean theme. If the CM's story is as reliable as at Disney I would take all this with a pinch of salt!

 

[ptuk]

A little bit about the hotel for you all

2003 will see Alton Towers invest over £30million into a new water hotel, already construction work has begun on this project which is taking up the area near the current hotel and the car park spaces near the Monorail station. The water themed hotel will include around 200 bedrooms, a conference centre and water park.

The new water park will be centred around a huge twisting water slide, exclusive to hotel guests this 37,000 sq ft water park will feature water slides, jets and even a MasterBlaster : A water roller coaster, which shoots riders around the tubes, sometimes up hill with the help of jets of water.

I Know quite a bit about AT so if you need any info on the place just ask and i'll help ya out