Pre Christmas Break
If Alvaston Hall was a student it would get an A plus.
“See you next year”, “We are coming back for Christmas”, “We have booked for New Year”! These are the conversations you can hear as you leave Alvaston Hall at any time of the year. For rest and relaxation or activity and fun, then Warner’s Leisure Hotels are the place to be.
The ‘adults only’ policy is great for weary parents or grandparents to come along and re-charge their batteries. A long weekend or a midweek break away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping was our idea of bliss at Alvaston Hall which is in Cheshire and is near to Nantwich, a busy market town.
On arrival the holiday starts when our cases were taken from us by the porter and delivered to our booked room. Checking in was handled by quick, efficient staff and directions and information about the hotel were given to you with your room cards. We chose a Signature Room and were delighted, we had a bathroom with a walk in shower, a fridge, tea making facilities and two large single beds that can be put together to make a king size bed. There were also two seats for resting and a balcony that lead out to a patio area with a table and two chairs. The little extras, like a bottle of wine, biscuits and a fridge that has water and milk in make you as welcome as possible.
Our bags arrived very quickly and after we had settled in we began to explore. A weekend or midweek programme helps you plan your leisure time or activities. Glynis’s tip: arrive in good time to pick your table in the restaurant. This is your table for the weekend/midweek break and it is rather comforting to know that if you leave your table for any reason then no one can take your place. You have breakfast and dinner at the same table and this is in the grand ballroom area, so when all the tables have been cleared after the evening meal the table is yours for the evening to enjoy the entertainment.
After you have checked in and had a look around, the management holds a ‘meet the staff’ event in the Cheshire Barn to introduce you to the team leaders and managers of different sections that will be taking care of you.
The weekend entertainment guide starts from the time you arrive plus there is chance to book your trips out if you wish to go, for example, Nantwich and Bridgemere Garden World which is at extra cost of £12.95 and if you just want to leave the car in the car park then these outings are a good way to see the area. The Sunday trip was to Chester for the day at a cost of £19.95. These trips need to be booked early as they are very popular. For the active, why not book a round of golf – weather permitting – to book a session with golfing pro Mark Taylor speak to reception (charges apply).
The Spa and swimming pool areas are easily accessible and the hairdressers and nail salon is in the same area. Pamper yourself or have your hair and nails done, it is a lovely way to relax or why not join the swimmers at the Aquarobics session or just bubble away in the Jacuzzi. There is the Cheshire Barn bar area where quizzes and bingo are held and in the same area is a table tennis table – which is amazingly popular, a dart board and shuffle board for your enjoyment. The Fountain Bar and Stables Bar are other areas to rest and relax. Food is available in both these areas, lunch, snacks or cream teas or just a place to sit and chill out in a very friendly atmosphere.
I visited with my disabled sister and all the facilities are excellent. Lots of ramps and good wide walk ways. Disabled rooms are bookable with walk in showers and disabled adaptations so when you book just ask what the facilities are. There are steps in the restaurant but one area is set off for people in wheelchairs which has a ramp for easy access.
Now the restaurant. After all the rest and relaxation or a game of golf or swimming or learning to dance or just sitting and reading then the highlight of the day is the food. The restaurant provides waitress service, so you don’t have to ‘lift a finger’ or go to the buffet which is packed full with all you can eat. The choices are amazing from fabulous starters such as soup, crab cakes, pate, toast and mains such as salmon, sea bass, beef, turkey or lamb and if you have any more room the desserts range from sticky toffee pudding to cheese and biscuits. The catering staff work very hard to please any palette and the waitress and waiters are very helpful and attentive.
As we danced the night away with strangers that had now become friends we cannot ‘echo’ the strains of ‘see you next year’ too much. Warner Leisure Hotels are all a little different but are touched by the Warner Leisure Hotels magic wand especially Alvaston Hall – it is too good to miss, enjoy.
Silver Travel Advisor recommends Warner Leisure Hotels
