I have just visited the new Doubletree by Hilton in Chester. You may know it by its former name – Hoole Hall Hotel. I last saw this hotel 7 or 8 years ago when it was a manor house hotel sadly in need of a major make-over. Since then new owners have spend over £15million in refurbishments. It is not quite finished yet but what a difference it has made already.
I was shown around by Claire, the hotel’s sales manager. She is one of the most experienced sales managers in the industry and one of the best. The bedrooms I saw were superb – a simple design and nicely executed, easy to use and well equipped. The restaurant in particular caught my eye; four separate areas linked by the décor result in a large dining space yet with a small and cosy feel. Meetings rooms are good and about to get better when the hotel finishes refurbishing an adjacent coach house. A brand new spa is also opening later in the year. The hotel’s USP is a Grade II listed conservatory.
The hotel has a friendly atmosphere throughout with very welcoming staff. It is privately owned, with the Hilton-badge bringing sales and marketing support plus worldwide coverage. It is unashamedly a corporate hotel but a very good one. You will find it on the outskirts of Chester city centre just a couple of minutes off the M53. The easiest of all Chester hotels from an access point of view.
Basic Facts: Doubletree by Hilton Chester: 110 guestrooms and suites, six flexible meeting rooms including a ballroom seating 210 for a banquet. It is surrounded by gardens with plenty of complimentary parking.