Village Hotel Blackpool

126 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Accommodation

Date of travel

October, 2017

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Wife

Reasons for trip

Blackpool – stag and hen party capital, candy floss, Pleasure Beach amusement park, the Tower ballroom and circus, trams from a bygone age and the annual, world famous illuminations.

These are the things that most people will associate with this brash and breezy Lancashire resort.

There is more to this place than meets the eye however, as there is with all towns and cities, some with a deserved reputation, others trying to remove the stigma of years gone by.

Blackpool is one such town.

With millions spent in recent years on upgrading the promenade and sea-front, a fleet of new trams and some splendid new hotels, the resort is trying to forge a new image for itself.

Not that the past is completely obliterated of course, the iconic Tower and the display of illuminations will seemingly be there for all eternity, thrilling old and young alike.
The new trams, on new tracks, are modern and comfortable yet there is still a place for the older illuminated versions, of which I have such fond childhood memories.

It has been many years since I visited Blackpool, first as a child with my parents and grandparents, then as a teenager for more hedonistic and thrill seeking delights.

The resort has apparently calmed in the last few years and it is safe for couples and families to appreciate the lights in the evenings.
Late night in the centre is still not a place for the faint hearted or the narrow of mind however.

Now at @% years of age (!), my wife and I decided to make a nostalgic return on a trip to visit the latest light show.

I was, in truth, a little disappointed with the illuminations. The new promenade has swept away the numerous illuminated and animated roadside tableaux which featured fairy stories and children’s rhymes. All are gone.

Only the overhead and lamp post lights remained and although modernised, seemed fewer in number. Maybe it’s my childhood memory at fault, but I don’t think so.

The horse and carriage rides along the illuminations still remain, but most are now Cinderella or pumpkin style closed carriages. The kids love them.

Our online research (and astute discount coupon finding) led us to the Village Hotel, just a 2 mile flat and easy walk from the Central Pier. It is right next to Blackpool Zoo on the fringes of Stanley Park. It is also opposite the model village and so is a great base to take the nippers.

This hotel is not ordinary, and for those who turn up their noses at hotel chains, this may well be an eye opener for them.

For a start, it has it’s own 18 hole golf course, co-designed by Peter Alliss, together with a 16 bay floodlit driving range. There are three tennis courts, three squash courts, a jogging track, a 25 metre outdoor heated swimming pool, a fantastic indoor pool with two Jacuzzis, a state of the art gym, a 40 station cycle spinning room, spa, steam room and sauna.

And you thought you were coming here to relax.

When you do, there is an on-site Starbucks coffee shop, as well as a pub style sports bar with large screen tv’s and the separate Bucadi Beppo Italian Restaurant.

Here, an authentic Italian menu has starters and desserts all at six pounds, whilst mains range from twelve to eighteen pounds and a little more for steaks. The wine list is a little expensive at seventeen to thirty five pounds, but gives a good choice.

The restaurant itself is like a Little Italy. Dark wood furniture lit by crystal and cranberry chandeliers which dominate the room, the walls are filled with hundreds of photographs of Italian people from decades ago. I half expected to have to speak Italian just to order.
We didn’t actually have an evening meal here but did hear good reports about it from other guests.

Breakfast was served in this restaurant however. The full self service buffet breakfast of everything you could wish for. Cereals, juices, yoghurts, fresh fruit, pastries and the full range of quality cooked breakfast ingredients meant that no-one left dissatisfied.

Our room was spacious and we could have opted to upgrade for a Club Room with more facilities and Sky tv. It was not needed as the room was spotlessly clean, had dark wood furniture and tea and coffee making facilities. It was decorated in a modern style with stripy carpet, a matching feature wall and dark colours.

The bed had a Sealy mattress with a built in topper, which was blissfully comfortable.
We liked it.

Village hotels have a thing about large flat screen TV’s and ours was only a few inches narrower than our double bed. Cinema like viewing was a pleasure.

The bathroom was clean and fresh with in-house toiletries and an over-bath shower.
Free wi-fi was provided throughout the hotel and all staff encountered were friendly and efficient.

So, at the risk of a few groans, an illuminating visit all round.

For further information go to:
https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/hotels/blackpool/
Your sat-nav will find the hotel at FY3 8LL.

Paul

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.