| Product: |
Hotels in Blackpool in general |
| Date: |
20/12/07 (126 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Clean, bright, comfortable, efficient
Disadvantages: Not the most attractive of locations, need ID if you pay cash
The Blackpool Central Premier Inn is situated in Yeadon Way, pretty much half-way between Bloomfield Road (the home of Blackpool Football Club) and the Pleasure Beach (home of the Big One rollercoaster). Premier Inns are part of the Whitbread group and were recently voted among the best 20 big companies to work for, as attested to by the certificate proudly on display in reception. It claims to be the largest hotel chain in the UK, with over 490 hotels nationwide. This Premier Inn is an unprepossessing, modern brick building, just off a dual carriageway, near a petrol station. Quaint the location is not, but reflects the functional rather than flashy character of the hotel.
==== BOOKING PROCESS ====
The website (www.premierinn.com) is cheerfully laid out in the company colours of purple and white. It helpfully has an express booking section where you can make your reservation without further ado, or you can search locations, special offers or see the latest news. The total price for the stay was given, as well as alternative hotels nearby.
The information on the hotel on the website includes not just a list of on-site facilities and directions to get there, but also information about what is in the area, such as cinemas, shops, banks and museums.
A text message confirming the booking, complete with the booking reference, was sent the Saturday the day before my stay (which was Monday to Wednesday), which was reassuring.
==== LOCATION ====
I arrived in Blackpool by train from Manchester, which brought me into Blackpool North station. Unfortunately, I had assumed that the station depicted on the little location map on the website was the one I'd be arrive at. Instead, the hotel is a couple of miles south of Blackpool North station, but close to Blackpool South. The taxi fare there was just over £5, which was not too bad. However, the tram, which runs all the way along the sea front promenade, is just a ten minute walk away, the far one way being £1.50.
There is a large car park outside the hotel which was never more than half full when I was there. Although this is a fee-paying car park, hotel guests are given a pass to display in the window while they are there, entitling them to free parking.
==== CHECKING IN AND RECEPTION====
Checking in was very smooth and efficient. Although I had been sent the booking reference and had the form with me, my name was sufficient for the receptionist. Unlike most other hotels I have stayed in recently, I had to pay up front, which I did by credit card. There was a notice explaining that if you wanted to pay by cash, you would need some form of ID, such as a passport or driving licence. I have not seen this before, nor can I see why this should be necessary. The receptionist was friendly and explained the options for food (see below).
The receptionists were helpful whenever they were asked for something, be it replacement coffee and milk for the room, a map of Blackpool or general directions. The only slightly disconcerting thing was that the receptionists wear telephone headsets, so you are not sure they are talking to you or on the phone. The reception area has a courtesy phone to call a taxi and a vending machine selling confectionery.
==== THE ROOM ====
The room was clean, light and airy. It had a reasonably modern feel, although the door had a Yale lock rather than a swipe key. The double bed had a nice firm mattress, and had a bedside table with a Gideon's bible. There was a sofa bed in the corner, which for some reason had been made up even though I was on my own. There was a desk with a kettle, tea and coffee and even a hairdryer. The TV had the standard 5 channels, plus CBeebies, BBC News 24, ITV 2, Chartshow TV and Men and Motors. The TV also provided radio. There was no wardrobe nor a chest of drawers but an open-fronted hanging space and shelves for clothes. There were additional pillows and blankets above the hanging space, although the room was at a comfortable temperature, with an easily operated thermostat.
The bathroom was well equipped, with a shower over the bath. While not the most powerful of showers, the water came out at more than a trickle, and the temperature was good. There were plenty of towels too.
To use the phone, you have to give your credit card details so any usage will be billed directly. WiFi internet access is available in the room, with cards available from reception of either £5 for an hour, where you can log on and off as you like, or £10 for a continuous 24 hour period, which runs from the moment you first log on.
==== FOOD ====
Next to the hotel is a Brewers' Fayre pub. We ate dinner there one evening, and the food was very respectable modern pub food. The menu offered a good range of pasta, salads, steaks and burgers. For two people, a main course, some onion rings and a pint each came to £11 a head, which was pretty reasonable value for money.
The same place also offers an all-you-can-eat cooked English breakfast for £7.50.
==== CHECK OUT AND FEEDBACK ====
Since you have to pay in advance, check out need involve nothing more than dropping your key off. However, since my train back to Manchester wasn't till the afternoon, I was pleased that the hotel offered a secure room where I could leave my bags until I was ready to leave town. Collecting them later went without a hitch.
The afternoon the day after I checked out, I got an email asking me to fill in a feedback questionnaire. As an incentive, if I filled in the survey I would be entered into a draw to win a 3 night stay at a Premier Inn of my choice. The survey was quick to fill in, showed you how much of the survey you had done and I could see the logic behind the question.
One thing that emerged from the survey was that Premier Inn offer a good night's sleep or your money back. There was something about this in the room, but I didn't take any notice of it at the time, and I wouldn't have claimed anyway since I slept very well.
==== COST AND VALUE FOR MONEY ====
With all the horror stories with which I had been regaled about the standard of hotels in Blackpool during a busy conference, I was prepared for hotels to charge a premium. The Premier Inn was £71 a night, room only, which I don't think was too bad for a work trip. Coming to Blackpool for leisure, that would strike me as a bit steep, although the weekend the room price is £58. This is a clean, comfortable, unpretentious and friendly hotel, and on the basis of this stay, I would be very happy to consider staying at a Premier Inn in future.
This review also appears on ciao with photos.
Summary: Clean and comfortable hotel in Blackpool, albeit not on the sea front
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