Average very average (Hilton Bracknell)

Member Name: juicy_lucy

Product:	Hilton Bracknell
Date:	12/08/08 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Close to Legoland

Disadvantages: Tired looking

Hilton Bracknell

On a recent trip to Legoland we chose this hotel because it was close to Legoland, near to the trains should we want to go into London, and best of all it offered a three day pass into Legoland

FIRST IMPRESSIONS...

The hotel is conveniently situated off a main road, and yet set far enough back so that there is no traffic noise and offers lots of parking round the back.
Once we had taken our cases into the spacious lobby containing a big check in desk and lots of comfy sofas and chairs, the check in process was fairly speedy and simple, and we were given the keys to our room.

THE BEDROOM AND BATHROOM
Since it was only Little Miss and I, we had a twin room, containing, as expected, two single beds, bedside tables, desk and wardrobe with 4 hangers! No matter, we don't get to proud about hanging up our clothes! The room was clean and well maintained and quite tastefully decorated with a view onto the bins outside. Minor grumbles aside, the thing that did bother me was that there was no mini bar- not that I am an extremely prolific drinker but I had drinks for Little Miss which I would have liked to have kept cool. My friends who were in a triple room had a fridge and an altogether more spacious room, so we felt quite put out.
The bedroom led directly onto the bathroom with the usual bath and overhead shower, sink, large area round the sink, toilet and very plentiful towels...they brought us 6 new ones every day. There was the usual selection of Molton Brown toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and soap, so we were well pleased on that front.

EATING IN THE HOTEL
We decided to give the hotel restaurant a go on two out of the three nights because after wandering about all day, the last thing the children needed was to be dragged out again. Not only that, if adults paid for the buffet, costing £23, then children ate free, so can't be bad.
The tables were set out randomly throughout the dining room, with plenty of space between them which was a good thing because the majority of people were eating the buffet.
The buffet itself served a good selection of starters main courses and desserts and there was a special selection of food which was likely to appeal to children, although they were able eat from the main buffet, which ours did. The buffet was set around a theme usually based on a type of food, for example, Mexican, Indian, although there were plenty of simple dishes like chicken which did not adhere to the theme.

Breakfast was also eaten in the dining room, and served a selection of cereals, cooked breakfast (including sausages, bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, tomatoes etc) and a mountain of different kinds of cakes and croissants. There was also several types of juices including orange, pineapple, apple. We were all free to chose as much as we wanted so it was inevitable that we left the hotel every day having eaten a very hearty breakfast.

OTHER FACILITIES
Whilst I appreciate that the hotel probably has conference facilities, I will comment only on the facilities we used.
The hotel has a gym which we had to pass through to get to the swimming pool. The gym is reasonably sized and looks well equipped but I didn't have a go on any of the equipment.
There are family changing rooms just off the gym area and it was here we went to get changed for a spot of swimming. The changing room was large with shower and cubicles, and could be locked so we could have it all to ourselves. The swimming pool itself was just like any other pool, and guests in the hotel were free to use it at any time.
The staff in the leisure area were helpful and the small shop itself sold bits and pieces people were likely to need such as goggles, arm bands etc. For anyone not wanting to swim, the spectator area afforded the opportunity to sit on comfy sofas and read magazines.

Another facility we used was the small café just at the back of the main lobby area. Selling coffees, teas and a selection of cakes and sandwiches, I languished here after breakfast deciding on the itinery of the day.

One thing I have to mention is the extortionately priced vending machine situated at the front entrance. Very tempting for children, but with toothpaste priced around the £2 mark we didn't participate!

VERDICT

The hotel cost just over £200 for myself and Little Miss for 3 nights including huge breakfasts and a 3 day pass to Legoland. It was a reasonably priced hotel and suited us for what we wanted as it was about 8 miles from Legoland, in a quiet easy to find location, and also close to Windsor.

It's not in any way a special hotel and some bits look a bit tired. This is clean purely functional and not a romantic getaway. For Legoland trips with the children, it could be ideal!
Thanks for reading.
Daniela x

Summary: An average hotel