Staying at the Alton Towers Hotel in a few weeks. We fancy going out to a pub for dinner - can anyone recommend somewhere good within a reasonable driving distance?

I've never visited but I've heard this place is nice:

http://www.thelindentree.co.uk/

There are at least 3 pubs/restaurants just outside the gates in the village (turn left as you come out of the park) that look nice although I've not tried them but one should suit

Thanks for the suggestions. If anyone else has any recommendations then please let me know.

Hi

Looking for a promotional code for Alton Towers would like to stay at the hotel for 1 night maybe 2 depending on price.

I have entered about 5 codes but all are not valid

Anyone know any codes

Hi All

Here's my trip report for our visit last month:

We spent one night at the Alton Towers Hotel in May 2007. The hotel is situated not far from the main gates of Alton Towers and is joined to the adjacent Splash Landings hotel and water park by a long corridor. We arrived about an hour before the stated check in time but were allowed straight into our room. We were told at this point that they were experiencing some boiler trouble and that they would move us to Splash Landings if we could not get hot water in our room (it turned out we were able to at this point). Our room was booked for 4 adults and we had chosen a room with one double bed and two singles. The double bed was a bit uneven but the single beds were rather uncomfortable and barely long enough for an adult. The room itself was of a similar size and specification to a Travelodge, although at twice the price. The wallpaper and carpet fitted in with the 'Around the World in 80 days' theme of the hotel, but other than that it was nothing special. The public areas of the hotel are more impressive though.

After dumping our bags in the room, we went straight down to the water park. We had to bring our own towels and a pound coin for the lockers. The water park itself was not as big as I had expected (in comparison with Center Parcs) but there were a lot of different things to do. It was too rainy and cold for us to make much use of the outdoor pools but we did have quite a few goes on the indoor slides (apart from the Flash Floods which were closed). The Master Blaster was quite an experience - you have to queue for quite a while to get a tube for this and then also queue for the ride itself but it's worth it. Just remember to keep your legs in and your bum off the floor - I wouldn't recommend it for nervous swimmers though. The Wacky Waterworks Tree house is also good fun as it gives you numerous ways to soak unsuspecting passers-by as well as your friends and family. We weren't as impressed with the Lazy River as it took ages to get a tube to use it, and then you had to work quite hard to not get stuck under the various water jets. I think we spent nearly 3hrs in there and only left when the park was due to close. It was much quieter after 4pm and we therefore had more time on the rides after then. There are lots of signs up saying that you shouldn't bring in your own food, but nothing explaining why. Given the extortionate prices, it's not surprising that some people prefer to take their own.

Other items in the hotel were also massively overpriced - it was £5 for a large glass of wine and nearly £20 for a buffet meal in the restaurant. We chose instead to go into Alton for dinner and had some lovely wood oven-baked pizzas in a pub called the White Hart which is on the High Street. It was quiet when we went but you would definitely need to book a table anywhere in Alton during peak season. The food in the hotel did smell nice (we had a fire alarm and were evacuated to Splash Landings) but the price was just too high. We took wine with us in a cool bag to drink in the room after dinner to save money as well (and also to avoid the entertainment).

The next morning, we awoke to find that we had no hot water - but at least the weather had dried up. There was a note pushed under our door to say we could use the communal showers in the water park if we wanted to, but we decided to manage without. We had breakfast in our hotel which was a buffet with a good selection of hot and cold items. We made sure we ate as much as we could before checking out of our room and heading to the theme park via the woodland walkway. This was a surprisingly long walk - about 15 mins and therefore potentially not suitable for families with young children or those with walking difficulties. Nemesis, Air and Blade were open to hotel guests only for an hour before the advertised start time so we were able to go straight on them all without queuing.

We then decided to head for Rita, only to find that the cable cars were not working so we had a long hilly walk through the gardens instead. We went on Rita and were so impressed at the sheer power of it that we decided to go on again straight away, even though it had been quite a bumpy ride. This turned out to be a very bad decision as I managed to badly inure my shoulder on it, meaning that I couldn't go on many of the other rides for the rest of the day. I do have existing back problems, but have never had an issue with my shoulder before. I think the main problem is that the overhead harness isn't as rigid as on the other big roller coasters, so therefore you get banged about more. Obviously it was entirely my decision to go on it, so I can't blame the park completely, but I would suggest that, if you have back/neck problems, you consider whether this ride is really worth going on. Despite visiting my osteopath, I'm still suffering the after effects nearly 3 weeks later.

In terms of the other rides - the new 'Haunted Hollow' area is not really worth seeing unless you are over that way but the revamped Haunted House (Duel) is great. The logs on the Log Flume have been replaced by baths and they have changed it to ensure you get completely soaked - wherever you sit. The Spinball ride is worth going on - this is between X Sector and the Main Street. We had a good meal at the Courtyard BBQ which was expensive, but the portions were large. Ice creams weren't too badly priced either.

Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, it is much cheaper to buy your tickets upfront, unless you have a discount voucher. You can pay an extra £10 for a queue jump pass for all the major rides, or £7 if you don't want to include Rita. They have also introduced a single rider queue on most rides - this is well worth doing if you don't mind not sitting with your friends. The car parking charge is now £4 - or £10 if you chose the express parking near the main entrance. All in all, I think we spent about £100 each over the two days. Alton Towers is certainly not a cheap day out - but if you are happy to accept that you are probably being ripped off - you'll have a great time.

Hi,

We are heading to Alton Towers in August and would like to saty in a nice hotel with facilities. Willing to drive 30 mins to/from park.
Any suggestions.
Don't want to stay at Splash Landings or Alton Towers Hotel..... rip you off with their prices having just visited the website!!!
Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Just a heads up to say there's a 2 for 1 offer for Alton Towers in today's (24/06/07) Sunday Mail.

Hi we have used the Express by Holiday Inn at Stoke on Trent Sir Stanley Matthews Way. It is about 30 min drive from Alton Towers but going in the opposite direction to most of the traffic, so no jams.

It is a clean modern hotel, breakfast comes in with the price, i think it was about £50.00 a night for a room that slept 3 or 4. The staff were polite and helpful. Nice big bathrooms as well.

It also has a harvester next to it.

2 for 1 entry (subject to conditions) for Alton Towers in todays' Express Sat 30.06.07

In last week's Love It there was half price entry and 2 for 1 coupons (cant be used between 9th and 20th July) but can be used up to 31st August. If anyone wants them I can dig it out and send

Gail

If you google terms like discount vouchers or coupons you can get offers off all sorts of things and places. You go onto the sites and then click on the letter you want T for theme parks or A for Alton Towers.

Last half term i got £4.00 off adults and £3.00 off childrens tickets to Cadbury World.

FAO Gail

Do you still have the LoveIt! vouchers? I would love to take them if you do!
Thanks!

Deborah

Welcome to the forums Deborah. Gail's post is from July 2007, and seems to refer to an offer available last summer. Unless anyone can advise you on current offers, perhaps googling may help.

David

Hi there are vouchers for alton towers,buy one get one free on lots of walkers crisps multi packs,if any one is interested,luv maz,xxx

If you shop at Sainsburys you can collect great days out vouchers, these give one free entry with a full paying adult.

Judith

Hi Deborah,look on e-bay,there are usually loads of vouchers at 99p.

Looking to go to Alton Towers for a short break - anyone been to the Resort Hotels - £400-£600 seems very expensive for two night break!! Any good hotels close by that you could recommend with family rooms?

Hi

Have you considered somewhere like a Travelodge, or Innkeepers Lodge close to Alton Towers, they would be reasonably priced and should have family rooms.

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/

http://www.innkeeperslodge.com/

Remember that the Innkeepers Lodge price includes a very nice continental breakfast.

A very quick Google search for 'accommodation alton towers' also provided lots of further accommodation including -

http://www.bedandbreakfast-directory.co.uk/uploads/estate/html/kw-alton%20towers.htm

http://www.aboutbritain.com/AccommodationNearAltonTowers.asp

There is a lot more listed that might be worth taking a look at.

Graham