DeVere bargain breaks (De Vere Hotels in general)

Member Name: wheato

Product:	De Vere Hotels in general
Date:	14/02/09 (170 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great value for money

Disadvantages: None

I have stayed in several De Vere Hotels over the last few years, and I still go red at the thought of one of them. More of that later! In my opinion, they offer good value for money and are great venues for a weekend away.

However, my recommendation is to join their mailing list. I have had a couple of fantastic deals over the last couple of months, taking up their offer of £19 per room deal. Yes, that's £19 per double room. Ok, breakfast isn't included, but can be added for just £7.50 which is pretty good value when you consider that it is a help yourself, full English breakfast along with all the trimmings.

I stayed at Daresbury Park, Warrington last Saturday night. I had taken advantage of the £19 offer, and the hotel looked inviting on the website, so I clicked the button, and off I went! These offers are usually for weekends only, and the hotels are obviously used for conferences during the week.

The hotel was very easy to find, being just seconds off the M56 and the clear map on the hotel website really helped. First impressions were good, the foyer was clean and inviting, the staff were courteous without being intrusive. The room was just what I expected, comfortable, not spacious, but not cramped either! The decor was slightly dated, as was the overbearing dark furniture, but there was nothing wrong with it, just my opinion I guess.

I had received an email a couple of days before my stay offering various extras from £15 for a two course evening meal to extending your stay until 2pm for an extra £5 per person. We took advantage of the evening meal, and were really glad we had, it was the highlight of our stay. Excellent!

The new restaurant was warm and inviting. The table was beautifully set and service was very good. The choice of food was somewhat limited from the set menu, but was tasty and the presentation was exquisite. Oh, and we also took advantage of the £5 off a bottle of wine offer that was in the email as well. Total price of the 2 course meal was £41.50 for 2, in a 4 star restaurant, I was very impressed.

Next morning, we took advantage of the spa facilities, well actually just sat in the jacuzzi! For some reason I was feeling a little dehydrated so the chilled water cooler was a welcome touch. The fun shower made me ponder. Surely the word "fun" is subjective? In this case, definitely so! The "fun" shower had a hot and cold button, an oversized central rose and smaller, ineffectual nozzles around the edge. It appeared to have lights as well, but they weren't working either. It didn't raise my fun levels at all, so I got back in the fun jacuzzi, went in the fun steam room, then swam a length in the fun pool!

It was time to return to reality. Checkout was smooth, no hidden extras, the only minor irritation is getting past the barrier to get out of the car park.

All in all, a great relaxing stay, at a great price! No embarrasing situations either. Back to my opening paragraph. My well meaning group of friends didn't tell me that a previous group stay had been booked as a Valentine special, so when I went to reception demanding my chocolates and wine for my single room I did not know what all the funny looks were for. Doesn't a single girl need the chocolates and wine even more than a loved-up couple? I got them!

Summary: Great value if you can book one of the special offers on the website