Description: I discovered a great deal that Mercure hotels were offering for £140 per couple we got two nights bed and breakfast, one three course evening meal with a bottle of wine and then we could stay the third night free but if we wanted breakfast we had to pay. I phoned and booked four rooms just to make sure they could fit us all in, I gave them my credit cards details and the names of all those coming. I could have done it on line but as there we going to be four rooms needed for the same nights I just wanted to check it was going to be available.

About three days later I received a letter of confirmation and the credit card slip through the mail. That was a few months ago but we finally got our week end away at the end of November. Well I can hear you are all very keen to know if this was a good deal or if it was a dump!

CHECKING IN:
We were not the first to arrive; in fact we were the third couple as we were childminding until 4pm so couldn’t leave home till then. There had been no problems and I think these first two couples got the best rooms judging by our conversations later. The first to arrive had booked our dinner for 8pm and we and agreed to meet in the bar at 7pm so having been welcomed by the lady at reception, we got our key and made our way to our room.

First impressions of the hotel entrance area and the Reception was good. The bar area was to the left as you came through the door and was modern, clean and comfortable. The restaurant was to the right as you entered the hotel and looked a good size and was light and airy, just inside the door was a settee and chairs where you could sit while waiting for your table, or just sit and read as there was a book shelf there too.

OUR ROOM
Firstly it was a very strange journey to get there as we had to go up a flight of stairs, across a bit of a landing then down another very dingy looking set of stairs and along a long dark corridor. Almost at the end, next to the cleaning equipment room was our door. We were not hoping for a lot as we opened the door as our journey down was a little odd. However the key card worked and in we went.

It was small, clean and the bed looked nicely made up. The window at the end of the room took up the whole width of the wall and overlooked a large flat roof which was not the best view we had ever had but not the worst either.

The room was virtually filled by the double bed; there was a small wardrobe and desk with a tiny drawer. The drawer had no storage space as the Gideon’ bible and the hair dryer(which was firmly fixed) were in there. There was a comfortable tub arm chair and an upright chair which tucked under the desk unit but as it stuck out quite a bit we moved it around to near the other chair. The bed had really great reading lights and a small bedside shelf on both sides of the bed which pleased me. I love reading in bed and hate it when I can’t because the one reading light is NOT on my side of the bed! The light had an upper bright light and an angled sort of pointing light which was perfect for me.

The bed was very comfortable but the pillows were small and hard and not great at all. I struggled with the pillows and they gave me neck ache.

BATHROOM
Once again this was very clean very small but did have a shower over the bath which pleased me as I do love my bath and had taken some Lush bath bombs to enjoy. The water was always good and hot and the bath filled quickly as it was pretty small. We were given soap, shampoo and shower gel as complimentary bath goodies. These were okay, nothing exciting but they did the job. Luckily I had taken shampoo and a conditioner with me so my hair didn’t suffer too much but stupidly I thought the hairdryer would be okay but sadly it was pretty naff and ineffective.

So the room was okay, not great but as we were not planning on being in the room much we thought it would do. We were just saying that when a loud hum started and the room almost vibrated. We looked at each other trying to decide whether to laugh or get angry. My husband phoned Reception and said this loud buzzing was filling our room and she calmly replied’, That will be the Jacuzzi!!’ We asked to change rooms but were told there were none but that the Jacuzzi went off at 9pm. We decided that there was not a lot we could do and as we were going to be out most of the time it was not worth spoiling our week end by causing a fuss. The couple to arrive last in our group shared the Jacuzzi pleasure as they were next to us!

WOULD I RECOMMEND?
The hotel is in a perfect location as you can walk into Altrincham or Hale in less than 15 minutes and find any number of different restaurants and shops. This also takes you to the train station in Altrincham where we bought day rover tickets for £10 for four of us which took us to Salford Quays for the day. We thought that was brilliant value at £2.50 per person for the day’s travel.

The rooms were pretty tiny but clean and did the job. The bathroom the same and if you could ignore the sound of the Jacuzzi or go out for the day then it allowed us to explore the joys of Salford Quays and Style Mill on the next day. At the price we paid we certainly would not complain. The food, particularly at dinner was excellent. The staff were all delightful and very helpful and really apart from the Jacuzzi vibration and location and size of our room we couldn’t complain.

We didn’t use the pool but those who arrived early did go and have a swim and said it was very pleasant, warm water in the pool and the Jacuzzi was on a timer so went whenever regardless of whether anyone was in there or not.

So yes if you get a bargain like we did go for it as this is a great area to explore and this hotel with plenty of free parking provides a great base.

I am not sure about facilities for disabled people as our room would have been impossible. If you need to know I would suggest phoning to enquire first as some parts are certainly not going to be suitable.

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