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Hotels General Discussion

I recall about 2 years back in splash landings bar asking for a cocktail. None of the staff behind the bar knew what to do. Eventually (10 mins later) a guy turned up who looked like he worked back office to make it.

Then I can think back many years ago when the staff would actually come around to your table in ATH and take your drinks orders for you and where you would be asked prior to dining in the Secret Garden what choice of wine you would like with your meal!

What a stark contrast.
 
The hotels used to feel luxurious.
Now they are basically a glorified Travelodge but at a premium price.

I actually fear the worse.

How much would it cost to fix the park? Bring it back up to scratch?
£150-£200m

No equity firm is going to approve that spend.
Let’s hope that someone rich buys it - it’s take the Arabians right now
 
Jb85 said:
The hotels used to feel luxurious.
Now they are basically a glorified Travelodge but at a premium price.

I actually fear the worse.

How much would it cost to fix the park? Bring it back up to scratch?
£150-£200m

No equity firm is going to approve that spend.
Let’s hope that someone rich buys it - it’s take the Arabians right now
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An Arab prince almost certainly could. They used to visit quite regularly years ago.
 
Blackrock said:
They’d invest if you could set your morals aside for a second, football fans manage it.
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Going way off on a tangent but you make a valid point.
Morally - would it be right going to the park knowing the human rights issues behind the country who owns it (hypothetically)
 
Jb85 said:
Going way off on a tangent but you make a valid point.
Morally - would it be right going to the park knowing the human rights issues behind the country who owns it (hypothetically)
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Well they wouldn’t be my first choice but being local I wouldn’t want to see it close either. So push comes to shove I’d rather them than it closing.
 
I am not at all sure an "arabian takeover" is in any way realistic...at all.

Arabian takeovers have been part of sportswashing, and there are likely long term profits for investors.
With what has been happening specifically at the Towers, I am not at all sure how anyone could get a realistic return on investment, whatever they do.
 
rob666 said:
I am not at all sure an "arabian takeover" is in any way realistic...at all.

Arabian takeovers have been part of sportswashing, and there are likely long term profits for investors.
With what has been happening specifically at the Towers, I am not at all sure how anyone could get a realistic return on investment, whatever they do.
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And here lies the problem. How do you take a struggling brand like Alton and make it profitable?
It’s clear Merlin don’t give a hoot
Either that or we are stuck in this invest when essential cycle forever
 
jon81uk said:
At least 10-15 years ago.

That's the issue, the current style of running them is quite ingrained, with the slightly poor bar service, the adequate breakfast and so on has been around for a long time.
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correct me if I am wrong, but isn't all the catering Armark.
I have stayed at splash and alton hotel and I recall thinking that the architecture and design of the hotels was really good (for their age, would be nice to see AC but I don't think it would be easy to install as the infrastructure isn't there, and I don't recall needing it at any point as it was a reasonable temperature in the room), but just some better customer service and it would be a really good hotel (things like not closing the bar at 11, and fixing some problems we had with drinks not tasting right)
 
flyingguitar said:
correct me if I am wrong, but isn't all the catering Armark.
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Yes but I couldn't notice anything different between the breakfast I got in ATH last month and the one five years ago before Aramark took over. Same suppliers, same poor to adequate selection. Some of the staff probably TUPE'd over from ATR to Aramark so those that have been working there long term would still be giving the same service.

Biggest change (in the parks more) since the Aramark takeover is the price increases really. The food wasn't amazing five years ago and still isn't amazing.
 
I’ve never stayed in ATH or Splash when I’ve needed air con. Many people don’t realise the top of the windows open quite a lot not just the small gap at the bottom.

Enchanted lodges however in the summer with the tiny square window in the children’s area can be unbearable in the summer. I dread to think what the pods are like!
 
I stayed in the ATH this year and quite enjoyed it.

The food at breakfast was decent, and all the staff were lovely. Our room (Moon Voyager) was clean, although it looked a little worn. Check-in and check-out were quick and easy. I quite like receiving an email or text when your room is ready.

My gripes were:
1) Touch screens for checking in. Two staff members were going through it with guests when we checked in. Why not have a desk there, and these two staff members check you in anyway? Radical idea, I know!
2) General upkeep of the hotels. Everywhere appeared clean, but both hotels (more so ATH) are very worn and outdated. You feel robbed of the inflated prices when a Premier Inn or even Travelodge can offer you a more modern room or hotel with a better bed!
3) ATH lake/garden area. What a disgrace this is. Overgrown with weeds, everything looks like it's rotting away. At Scarefest, there is no theming around the lake area. This whole area is probably the worst part of ATH. It's shameful, given how beautiful of an area it could/used to be.
4) Food availability at breakfast. We enjoyed the food at breakfast. The issue was getting the hot food! Only one station was in use, and limited quantities were being dished out when the restaurant was full. The minute some food (fried eggs) came out, you had to be quick if you wanted it. I'm still disappointed that only basic coffee is available for breakfast. Then, they have the cheek to advertise the Coffee Portal on each table. ‘Want a latte for breakfast? Tough, pay for it’.
5) Bars/no entertainment beyond 10/11pm is poor. We arrived from the park around 9:30-10pm at Scarefest. Entertainment stops at 10. Bars close by 11 or earlier. The arcade closes around 10. No times are advertised for closures (only openings), so you wait excitedly to be told when to bugger off and go to your room like a naughty child. I appreciate that it's a family resort, but the place could really do with a small adult-only bar open until 1am, with some jazz music or something similar playing in the background.

I do feel the overall product has degraded. The product experience needs improving compared to how it used to be in the 1990s/early 2000s when staying at the resort felt very special. In the bigger picture, ATH particularly needs a complete refurb. It feels similar to the park, where it needs a lot of investment. Otherwise, the resort and theme park will continue crumbling until the whole place is shut down.
 
James said:
My gripes were:
1) Touch screens for checking in. Two staff members were going through it with guests when we checked in. Why not have a desk there, and these two staff members check you in anyway? Radical idea, I know!
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Exactly! Having a friendly face check you in and explain everything to you is part of the experience. Also allows you to ask for specific rooms if you want (eg, facing the lake) which staff always tried to accommodate. On the very rare occasion there may have even upgraded you. Having a machine check you in now is very impersonal.

James said:
2) General upkeep of the hotels. Everywhere appeared clean, but both hotels (more so ATH) are very worn and outdated. You feel robbed of the inflated prices when a Premier Inn or even Travelodge can offer you a more modern room or hotel with a better bed!
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I find it odd they still only have double beds in the rooms when nearly all hotels now even your bog standard travel lodge have king size!

James said:
3) ATH lake/garden area. What a disgrace this is. Overgrown with weeds, everything looks like it's rotting away. At Scarefest, there is no theming around the lake area. This whole area is probably the worst part of ATH. It's shameful, given how beautiful of an area it could/used to be.
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Real shame to read this. Sitting by the lake with a cold beer on a summers evening was one of the highlights of any visit to the hotel. I think building CBeebies really spoilt the garden area and definitely sealed the spas fate.
James said:
5) Bars/no entertainment beyond 10/11pm is poor. We arrived from the park around 9:30-10pm at Scarefest. Entertainment stops at 10. Bars close by 11 or earlier. The arcade closes around 10. No times are advertised for closures (only openings), so you wait excitedly to be told when to bugger off and go to your room like a naughty child. I appreciate that it's a family resort, but the place could really do with a small adult-only bar open until 1am, with some jazz music or something similar playing in the background.
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Definitely. On my last visit I felt exactly this, being forced back to the room! The Emperors Lounge is the perfect venue for some chilled music and a few drinks after hours. Splash was also ideal as the bar wasn’t near any of the rooms. I don’t understand why they be done this when surely income from the bars would be a real money spinner!


Only thing I’d add to this list is with regards the arcade in splash. It used to be a fun arcade with air hockey, driving games, shooting games etc. now it’s a rip off 10,000 tickets gets you an Alton towers pen arcade. Bring back the actual games machines!
 
James said:
Touch screens for checking in. Two staff members were going through it with guests when we checked in. Why not have a desk there, and these two staff members check you in anyway? Radical idea, I know!
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I actually found the staff member irritating. We could have operated the touchscreen ourselves with no issues but they got in the way trying to do it for us. I’d rather have been left alone to sort ourselves out.
 
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