Help me choose where to stay in Blackpool

[Wheretostay]

Hi was hoping to get some help with staying in Blackpool in the summer.
It will be myself and my 16 year old.
I have never been to Blackpool so don't really know what I'm doing. I dont drive so whilst in Blackpool we will be walking and public transport.

I have booked a room close to Blackpool North Station and North pier. Thats costing me 300 for 3 nights. But I have just come across a room for 164 for 3 nights but its near the south pier they are bith budget hotels. Both have private bathroom. The reason I booked the hotel in Blackpool North wss because it's close to the train station and north pier which is where we are likely to do more stuff.
But is paying 300 worth it or when I can get a room for 164. Im wondering how easy travel/walking is and how safe it is. Im torn between 300 or 164. Money wise 164 makes sense. But im not sure in location..

So has anyone been /know the area?

This ^. It’s the pits!!!

We used to go to Blackpool lots as children, it was charming and a lovely day out for the entire family. We went about 4 years ago paid a silly amount for a hotel and it was bloody awful, absolutely awful, it was grimy, it felt so so unsafe.

Morecambe has improved in recent years and is very safe plus nearby Lancaster is pleasant. No intimidating hordes of men hanging about.

Ha ha. I said I needed to bleach my eyeballs after the sights I saw last time I went. I like this phrase too.

It really is very rough, but it's manageable for a few days. I sometimes go to the punk festival, and as long as I'm careful at night, it's fine. I wish they'd hold the festival somewhere else, but they don't, so I make do, and I've always been okay, even as a lone woman.

It’s really bad in the day time too. In this situation I would genuinely stay in one of the nearby towns and Uber in and out of the airshow (with my eyes shut).

I don't drive. I don't think people realise how much difference that makes. It can be alot of faffing.

This is true. But she won’t see much of the air show from Morecambe 😂

Stay in Lytham and travel in - easy even if you don’t drive ( I don’t) Blackpool is really bloody grim and doesn’t feel particularly safe, I say this as someone originally from north midlands who used to be dragged to Skegness a lot- also grim , but felt far safer than Blackpool

I take my daughter to Blackpool regularly and I would ignore all the comments about not going. It is rough in parts but the Pleasure Beach, Tower and zoo are great, and we also visit the Mme Tussauds and Sealife Centre.

My daughter is an adult. She has some additional needs and we find it works well for us.

We stay up by the north pier.

I live in SW London and used to have a big job in corporate banking and have travelled extensively - honestly I can't believe how snobby people can be about Blackpool.

Have a great time.

I stayed with an ex,years ago in that exact hotel

It was clean-that was the only thing going for it

It seemed to be full of older people (which was fine,we brought the average age down by about 50 years) stank of cabbages and school dinners,the decor was shabby (wallpaper peeling off and holes in the carpets)the breakfast was all dried out and cold food,the WiFi was awful and the tv didnt work

They did upgrade us,for free,to a Seaview room

We just walked down to the pleasure beach rather than using the tram

Blackpool itself is a shithole (we used to go every year to see the lights when I was a child)

We saw a young lady of about 25 ish giving a bj to to a bloke in his 80's (just out of view of the main road),shoplifting (people running out of shops clutching their goods) druggies everywhere and lots of men hanging around at dusk

I did feel unsafe (not as much as I would have done if I hadn't been standing next to my ex)

It just felt unwelcoming and shabby which is a shame as I have loads of happy memories there as a child

Maybe book into The Beeches hotel that people have recommended /linked to up thread. £173 sounds like a very good price for two people for 3 nights with breakfast. You can fill up, just get a snack for lunch and then an early dinner to save money. Hope you enjoy the air show.

As far away as possible 😉

I was just looking. I tried to call but it keeps saying incorrect number. It will let me book on line but im a bit worried that there's no number. It says pay when arriving. How do I know the room would definitely be saved. Also in general how would I communicat without a phone number

Do you mean the beeches?

OK I have never been to an airshow but my thinking is that it will mainly take place in the day.

I imagine the OP and her daughter returning to Lythem for the evening and to eat.

Depending on the weather maybe a walk on the beach.

OP I hope whatever you decide you both have a good time.

Just book on the site I said then. I’ve used them worldwide hundreds of times and never had an issue. There’s a message function on there too.

The air show isn’t held at the airport?

OP ignore all the negative people giving an opinion that wasn’t asked for. It’s easy enough to avoid rough areas if you have common sense. The town is fantastic when the airshow is on, lots of families enjoying themselves.

Depending where at south shore the other hotel is then book that instead. Everything is walking distance up and down the prom, and trams are easy enough to nip on and off.

People suggesting st Anne’s instead, that’s as run down as Blackpool. Lytham is nice but would be too far on public transport.

Have a great time!

I would say go to the North Shore/Bispham area. It is quieter there but still on the tram line.

Im hoping to see the air show..
Would probably pop back to the hotel. To freshen up get changed. Go out to eat. Im hoping there may be some shows or something to go to in the evening. I will look up some things see what I can find.

That's what I'm thinking that time of year there will be families doing normal family things.

Flipping heck, you’d think there were roving gangs of drug lords hiding round every corner. As a resident, it isn’t actually so dire that we all live in underground nuclear bunkers. There is loads to do, and much of it doesn’t count the earth. There’s some absolutely lovely parks, and the beach further out of the centre is always a bit nicer.

Perhaps look at the Doric hotel or the cliffs hotel along the front. They always seem to have good reviews.

We go to Blackpool a few times a year to watch shows etc The touring musicals are usually cheaper in Blackpool . Exactly the same cast etc eg we've seen Six and Calamity Jane there and some good comedians there. We always stay at the Imperial hotel if you check the prices they do come down near the time and its often on Wowcher . Its a beautiful hotel with loads of history they have photos of the celebrities who've stayed there . The prime ministers bar has mirrors with all the PMs names whove.stayed there . Its a bit of a walk from Blackpool North and the Winter gardens but we're 65 and 72 and we like the walk you can get the tram if you want . The breakfast is brilliant. The strictlyvstaff all stay at the Holiday Inn neft to thevstation so that must be up.to scatch . The low budget hotels can be a bit grotty to be honest. I would keep the one thats near the station that area is better. I know people are saying its tatty but like anywhere you get what you pay for . Near the Winter gardens has been renovated but some parts are still grotty as others have said . Hope yours is Ok .

Im going to have look see what I can find. Might find a show or something. I don't think it will be as bad as people are saying.

Having worked in Blackpool and have friends and relatives who live in Blackpool and spending a lot of time there
I must walk round with my eyes shut because I’ve literally witnessed a fraction if that ,of the stuff people put on here
granted there are some shit hole areas ( aren’t there everywhere) south shore is grim and the surrounding side/back streets but in all honesty I don’t understand why any visitors would be near them or go there

grand theatre,winter gardens and viva all have entertainment on at night
the Wetherspoon across the road from sandcastle water park is nice all glass front with sea view
the zoo is good , stanley park is nice
get bus to lytham there’s cinema at clevleys that you can get to on tram
winter gardens bar normally has live entertainment on in the day tends to be the older generation but nice to pass an hour with something going on
wouldn’t bother with free port at Fleetwood
a nice night walk down the prom to Wetherspoons for tea nice and busy and very open if your a bit cautious safety wise
walk in piers