Chester Hotels with Pools

OK, let's get the good things out of the way first. We stayed in a King Junior Suite, the room was lovely and clean, bathroom great, great location, good views, good breakfast, friendly staff (especially housekeeping) - no faults whatsoever with the general hotel experience. Now for the one grumble. I'd booked this weekend away for our Silver Wedding anniversary and I deliberately wanted a hotel with a nice pool etc. for some relaxing. So I selected this 'hotel and spa', largely based off the many pictures they posted of their pool, 'hot bubbly pool' (can't think of the right word), relaxing area etc. On checking in, you are given a sheet of paper and some way down it, it is implied that you have to pay £10 per person for a two hour slot in the pool. I asked at reception if this was really the case, as I couldn't quite believe it, to be met with a blank stare and being told that that was the case at all Hiltons (which is clearly nonsense). I still couldn't believe it, but did pay up. Anyway, it's true. This is pretty much the only hotel I've ever been to where you have to pay extra to use the pool. And £10 extra, per person, for a two hour slot. That could be a nightmare if you had kids with you. The rules are made even more confusing by the fact that they have two areas - One, is called 'The Spa' where you have paid-for treatments (sea**** facials and massages, I imagine) and then this paid for area called the 'Pool and Spa' which is essentially the pool, the hot bubbly bit, sauna etc. I'm not going to be over-dramatic and say that it spoilt the whole weekend, or anything like that, but it is crazy. It would be better if they mentioned this clearly when booking, and even gave you the option to add it on at that stage. Also, maybe let the staff know that this isn't the case at 'all Hiltons' at all.

Just got back home after our first visit to Chester,we booked two nights at The Mill Hotel staying in a club class room over the bridge.it and the weather was so good we booked a extra night .We ate in the restaurant each night and the food was lovely.Would recommend the mill any time and it was very good value for money, and extremely clean

Arrived at the hotel on Saturday afternoon, we were staying for two nights with friends for a weekend break. The hotel itself was good overall, although the tissue box had two tissues in and the sanitary box had one bag in. Neither replaced… I think a look at housekeeping department may be a good idea! Our biggest complaint was a woman that ranted on and on at us as we waited to check in. What was that about, she just wouldn’t stop talking at us. There’s no need for this service as we’re quite capable of entertaining ourselves in a queue. Maybe drop this before people turn around and walk out!!!

Do not stay here! Save your money and go to a else where.. Reading some positive reviews I actually feel these people are family and friends lying to boost ratings because I tell you now it’s lies. So il just break it down No lifts to support with cases and prams Short staffed had the same people running from the bar to the front desk Bedroom is very dated, dirty carpet, ripped wallpaper, worn out sofa beds. The room stank of musk and damp. Walls are thin you can hear everyone walking around and banging doors. Between 3 and 4am we heard a truck outside, metal trollies being dragged and clanking about for around an hour (we guessed it was a delivery) again we have a 10 month baby, that racket did not help in anyway! It is freezing during the evening, we put the dated heating system they have on this did not help at all. When we turned it off what I can only describe as the fire alarm sounded, this put us a damper on the night some more. (When speaking to staff the next day we were told it was in fact someone in another room setting off the fire alarm elsewhere in the hotel) Bathroom is disgusting, nail sticking out on the door so make sure you use the handle not a palm push, sink flooded when used, when toilet was flushed water poured onto the floor and into the bin, no room for your personal toiletries and a make up bag, no hair dryer in the room. No door handle tags to tell staff to leave going into the room while you are out, we got back and noticed because the bins had been emptied (they were no where near full) The main reason we chose this hotel was the pool. When we asked about the facility we were just simply told how to get to the room by the desk staff. Upon reaching the area down the dark corridors we noticed there was no one monitoring the pool and gym area (put us off as we have a 10th month old) god forbid anyone needed any help. Wifi is shocking and phone connection is none existent on o2 Thank god we didn’t book any food here because god know what we would have been served based on the cleanliness of the Hotel. My husband did give the manager/owner an ear full before leaving and disclosed all the points I have made. His response, ‘we are currently working on upgrading the hotel (work harder) and will give you a discount on your next stay’.. he was told he couldn’t pay us to come back! My favourite part of my stay was leaving. All in all the place needs a revamp and a good clean.

For the most part, this is a lovely hotel. It cost us around £7 for a taxi into Chester and the rooms are clean. The majority of staff are incredibly friendly. However, while out during the day our keys were deactivated to force us to the reception so that the manager could corner me about where my car was parked - which had been mentioned to another member of staff during check in and they had said it wasn't a problem. She had been trying to call me on the hotel room phone ”all day”, which is a ridiculous approach as who sits in their room all day? If she had just called me on my mobile number, which was used to book the room, I would have happily come back and moved the car. She demanded I move it in that moment and I explained that I'd had a drink but I'd move it in the morning. She then said she would move my car, which I wasn't comfortable with. She then walked away from me and wouldn't allow a rational, adult conversation. The tone and attitude were accusatory and her frustration clearly misdirected when she has made no realistic efforts to contact me; we were in the hotel until 11am and, as I said, I had my phone with me all day. I tried to explain to the reception staff why my car was where it was, and that I had discussed it on a rival and was dismissed with a ”well I wasn't there so I wouldn't know” then she smirked at another guest. It's such a shame that has really put a dampner on the stay for us, as it was totally unnecessary.

We have had a lovely stay, and it would only take a few tweaks to make this hotel better. Good: *It's in the perfect location, we took an uber into the centre of Chester for less than £5. *Breakfast was relaxed with a great selection as a buffet service. *Spacious room with all the amenities you need. *Plenty of free parking. *Beautiful grounds and really quiet at night. *Great value for money Needs Improving: *Cleaning standard is average, black mold around the taps in the bathroom that could be easily resolved. *Bathroom floor was desperate for a good mop *Bed wasn't the comfiest as 2 twins fastened together leaving a gap in the middle. *Staffing levels affecting customer service levels, we decided to order room service, took an age to answer the phone and then said could be collected from reception, kind of goes against the point of room service, so we left it, not great for the hotels add on sales if that happens everytime. *No enough bar staff, we ordered food but it was cold and one meal was not what we ordered but too hungry to wait for it to be replaced, apparently fish finger sandwich is identical to fish and chips anyway according to the waitress! Like I said it won't take much for this hotel to raise it's customer service standards to an excellent level, more staff will fix most of the issues, despite everything mentioned we would probably stay again.

The location is very nice. I was impressed with the detailed consideration of the housekeeper. For this class hotel, it seems that the cost performance is quite good.