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Original poster

Hotel near Chester

23 replies

confettisprinkles · 08/03/2022 19:59

Sorry if this is in the wrong topic I wasn't sure where else to post it.

I'm looking for recommendations for a family friendly hotel in or around Chester as we are planning to visit for a couple of nights in the summer. I'm not particularly fussed on location or anything too fancy as we will have the car and plan on spending a day at the zoo then probably a couple of days exploring so would just be using it as a base anyway.
Also if anyone had any recommendations on must see places with a toddler in or around Chester that would be appreciated.

Thanks!

OP posts:

QforCucumber · 08/03/2022 20:04

We stayed in the premier in at heswall in august, it was a great base - climbing frame for the kids. Breakfast was fab, quiet pub attached but family friendly. About 20 min drive to the zoo. Similar to Cheshire oaks outlet.

Fantastic restaurant a 5 min walk - burnt truffle, if you’re after a fancy dinner one night

Rebeccasmoonnecklace · 08/03/2022 20:11

There’s a place called The Ice Cream Farm in Cheshire, it’s supposed to be lovely for kids. Has a farm and play area, as well as selling lots a variety of ice cream

HTruffle · 08/03/2022 20:20

There are a number of B&Bs along Hoole Road which is around a ten minute drive to the zoo. I believe all are supposed to be nice but you could find reviews. There’s the Abode hotel overlooking the racecourse, that is in the city centre - and also very near there is a holiday inn. If you stay at either of those, you could eat at the white horse which is located in the centre of the racecourse and has a great, safe playground for small ones and lovely nosh.

Nearer to Cheshire oaks there is a premier inn. There are plenty of restaurants, cinema etc by that one.

As @Rebeccasmoonnecklace says, the Ice Cream Farm is brilliant.

Grosvenor park in Chester city centre is lovely for kids, and is right by the river where you can watch / catch a boat and have an ice cream.

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notprincehamlet · 08/03/2022 21:15

Roomzzz is really nice. It looks a bit boring - I think it used to be the driving test centre! - but the rooms are lovely, the location is great (between town and the racecourse), there's parking and it's an aparthotel so you get a mini kitchen and a washer/dryer on site.

PeaceForUkraine · 08/03/2022 21:19

Blue Planet Aquarian just outside Chester is brilliant (and right by Cheshire Oaks and a load of restaurants & a hotel).

Chester Zoo is the best zoo anywhere.

tillytoodles1 · 08/03/2022 21:29

The Premier Inn in Heswall is lovely and not too far from Chester. Delicious breakfasts too, they keep you full all day.

Dovesofpeace · 08/03/2022 21:43

Op I think heswall is too far out.

Definitely not the youths hostel there ( one of the most awful nights with my family ever)

Lot's of hotels and b and b in center. definitely stay in the center

MrsMariaReynolds · 08/03/2022 21:52

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at the Racecourse the last time we were in Chester. Decent sized car park, free breakfast and walking distance to the city centre.

Isseywith3witchycats · 08/03/2022 21:57

we stayed recently at the bawn lodge hotel on hoole road was good

Pumpkinstace · 08/03/2022 21:57

I live and work in Chester. Parking is shite here at the minute while they complete the new multi story

The holiday inn at the racecourse is where I would stay. Its fairly close to the centre (5 minute walk) and has loads of decent parking.

Pumpkinstace · 08/03/2022 22:01

Roomzzz has parking but it's always full because they're is only about 15 spaces.

Blue planet is very over priced. The whole thing can be done in less than hour. Good but not worth the entrance fee.

The zoo is amazing
Ice cream farm is good, we go every week.

LoopyDream · 08/03/2022 22:04

I think Heswall is a great base if you are going to the zoo, Cheshire oaks, aquarium etc but not if you want to be IN IN Chester. Hoole is lovely and has lots of choices of places to stay and places to eat - some nice budget ideas and the carrot cake at the bakery on Hoole high street is the best I have ever had in my life.

Original poster

confettisprinkles · 08/03/2022 23:04

Thankyou all so much for your suggestions, I will have a look into them all!

OP posts:

NaerDoWell · 08/03/2022 23:16

How old are the kids? What do they like doing?

Agree blue planet absolutely crap- overpriced and nothing to keep you there for more than an hour!

Original poster

confettisprinkles · 08/03/2022 23:28

@NaerDoWell DD will be 3 at the time, loves anything animals so will definitely be visiting the zoo. We have a similar aquarium close to where we live so I think we will give that one a miss.

Thanks for all the suggestions of ice cream farm, it looks amazing and right up her street! Will have a proper look into all of the hotel suggestions tomorrow

OP posts:

NaerDoWell · 09/03/2022 07:32

In Chester-
Grosvenor park is nice - has playground and a mini railway for train rides and a cafe.
If weather is bad - inflatabubble is in town and inside!
Check out if there's anything on at Stotyhouse or the Nest

A bit further out - Bewilderwood, Beaton Castle, my 2 love gullivers world, the beaches on the Wirral

lovelyupnorth · 09/03/2022 07:34

We stayed at the holiday in Chester west over Christmas cheap a chips right by the park and ride and has a pool.
Really looked after the kids.

Kids also eat free in the restaurant.

Jins · 09/03/2022 07:43

Another Chester person here. If you want to be in Chester then definitely the Holiday Inn express. If you don’t mind being slightly outside the the travelodge Warrington Road would be my choice as it’s close to the zoo and there’s a bus stop outside to go directly into Chester

Original poster

confettisprinkles · 09/03/2022 20:19

Thanks everyone, managed to get somewhere booked.
How far in advance would you suggest booking things like the zoo and bewilderwood?
It won't quite be the summer break yet when we go so not sure about how busy these places will be.

OP posts:

DeathMetalMum · 09/03/2022 20:41

If it's midweek then the zoo will be fine, it doesn't often completely sell out as it so big. Weekends I'd make sure you book at least a week in advance, just to make sure. They are pretty good at posting on social media if they expect to be v busy.

Pieceofpurplesky · 09/03/2022 21:08

Try and get to Delamere Forest too if you can.
Chester Zoo is fantastic - get there really early and stay as late as you can. The Ice Cream farm is also great. Bewilderwood is a good hour-hour and a half journey and maybe too grown up. I would stick to Grosvenor Park, the Groves, the Cathedral, even just the rows and the street musicians. The kid's library in the Storyhouse theatre is also fabulous. Just enjoy Chester!
Go to the market for food - loads of different choices and very child friendly. La Fattoria also great for and with kids.

Pieceofpurplesky · 09/03/2022 21:11

And you can get discount for the zoo if you search!. Book ahead though

Pumpkinstace · 10/03/2022 10:09

The Groves down by the river is fabulous for that age in the summer.

They have little ice cream huts and pedalos for hire.

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