Knowsley hall is arguably one of the best venues in our humble region that is the northwest…read more Situated inside a measley 2,500 acre privately owned estate, boasting a safari park, inhouse catering, spa and accomodation, you'd be hard pressed to find a more extravagent estate in the region. The venue however is for the majority of time used for special occasions such as weddings and conferences. Although they do hold private events such as tea parties. The grand nature of the Hall obviously dictates its usage for all things opulent. It really is like entering another world as you step inside. One of the many ways of experiencing the delights of Knowsley hall is to book a spa package. Now it isn't exactly cheap; £155 per person, but it does include facial, deep scalp massage, head, neck and shoulder massage with fabulous oils of your choice and use of the hydropool and relaxation area. This is followed by coffee and homemade cakes which will boost your energy and prepare you nicely for what is to come. Post cakes and coffee you will be collected by a personal chauffeur to escort you to Knowsley Hall in style. Here you will enjoy a delicious three course lunch prepared by their fantastic team of Chefs avec une glass of Champagne and wine with your meal in an awe inspiring dining room. After dining you can then walk off some calories in stunning surroundings of the estate grounds, to cap off a memorable experience. All this pampering does come at a cost however as I mentioned and the booking requires a minum of 3 people, so that is forking out a poultry £465 at least. However as I mentioned, yes there are probably cheaper options but then again this particular package does come with the grand background of a historic estate. The only other chance to see the Hall is on 5 occasions a year in August when a £12 ticket gets you a tour of the Hall, so I suggest you get booking.... its round the corner..

If you can afford it - Knowsley Hall would be a fantastic place to get married...hint hint to the…read moreboyfriend! You know what I mean girls! It is absolutely stunning, a breath taking location and 5* Gold standard for accommodation. There is a wonderful long drive which takes you to the front door. I could just imagine being in my wedding dress feeling amazing, with my new husband beside me, hand in hand, being chaffeured up the drive in an old car. Oh yes oh yes, I can keep dreaming. If of course you don't have your wedding at Knowsley Hall, you could always have your hen party there and take advantage of the spa packages. But at the prices of the packages, I think it would definitely have to be a rich hen and rich chickens that go along. I will keep dreaming!

Ah Bel Air. I have spent one happy Father's Day here with my boyf's family and it was a pleasant…read moreenough experience. Once a top notch hotel, the Bel Air is now a cross between a sports bar and a pub; big screen tv's line the walls with Sky Sports playing on mute, photos of rugby stars adorn the walls, and uplifting quotes are painted all around. I wasn't drinking on the day due to a horrible cold but I am assured the beer/ale selection was worth a thumbs up, though this changes and you can have a dissapointing beer experience. Comfy, friendly, and casual. The eptiome of Wigan.

Now called wilf's bar it is a place mainly for drinkers not guests! The drinking goes on until the…read moreearly hours and is not really condicive to sleep. The premises have some quirky touches,like the almost life sized pharoh statue in the entrance,and the calligraphy adorned walls of the bar. Overall it is a place for a sociable night out not a hotel now.

I stayed for the weekend for my birthday and despite covid, it was a pleasant stay even though the…read moregym was closed. The staff were friendly and the breakfast was nice. No buffet, you have to book a time and order but there was a good variety. Rooms are very big with both a shower and bathtub, bed was very comfortable. The downside is that they do not clean your rooms daily, so you have to use the same towels and make your own bed unfortunately. I think this is due to covid, but was disappointed by it as I like a fresh towels and my room cleaned. Also no mini fridge in the room, but there is kettle, tea/coffee, safe, hairdryer, ironing board and free WiFi. Overall a nice traditional countryside English hotel with large rooms. Friendly staff and pretty gardens to sit outside.

It was that time of the month where I needed some chill out time…read more Situated two miles away from the city centre of Chester lies this gem. This building like many others in this city is stunning and full of character. Dated from 1779 this country house is still lavish, with antique rugs, dark wooden furnishings and stairwell..the floorboards give that satisfying creak when you step on them. Anyway having checked in, the receptionist also takes £50 off your card, whatever you don't spend within the hotel they reimburse you..watch out for that. Each room is stunningly decorated, you can even watch tv while you have a dump :p we left the robes and slippers and walked down with our towels to the spa. The reception here provided us with towels and offered spa treatments ranging from £30 a back massage. We were here for the pool. ChAnging rooms were fabulous and spacious. With lockers, hair dryers and decent showers. Only dispute were old towels left behind..they should place a laundry basket here. Entering the pool was idyllic..the sun was just setting through the large conservatory windows. In the corner offers a Jacuzzi in which you activate by the switch..the pool was of decent size, overlooking the gym and the steam room was sufficient. The dry sauna was under construction though. Getting changed for dinner , we were led to a cosey room where a gent at the bar brought us our wine and a menu over. I believe it was three courses for just over £25. Bargain for Rosette quality food. Amongst the wood pigeon, I had the ricotta cheese bread crumbed balls,and mushroom risotto for main My friend ordered the pate and salmon for mains. A complimentary bruchetta was provided..making me first think the portions were going to be small. However food was spot on in quantity, and what I could taste (with a sinus cold) was divine. The waitress was very attentive, although we had to ask for butter for our bread. Overall a gorgeous hotel with food and service to match. I will be back.

Good food and excellent value. Only 4 stars as sometimes they don't have enough staff but those…read morethey do are good.

We went to the Green Lodge just before Christmas. The meals…read moreare 2 for 1 but are a lot better than the usual pub grub and there is more choice. The meal was good well presented and hot. The service was quick, the staff friendly and we enjoyed a nice relaxing meal in comfortable surroundings. We will go there again.

Not a Thistle but a Mercure!…read more Clearly this has changed hands at some stage between the two brands. Once I had found it and the staff provided good directions to the car park. Which is a 5 minute stroll from the hotel, it's not the biggest but as we are in crazy times it was relatively empty, what it would be like in normal times!! The hotel is operating in a COVID secure way as expected and the receptionist staff were very helpful. There are a couple of vending machines so you can take some snacks up to your room as they are not offering any kind of room service. It didn't sound as though many people were on my floor, it's a large hotel and not many people are using hotels at the moment. You pre order your breakfast, that you collect in the morning, which worked easily enough. My room was clean and tidy with plenty of space and the all important charging points for the hungry devices we all use. Free WiFi was available but i didn't use it. I had a good view of the Liver birds building from my window. A good location for an over night stay in Liverpool.

This is another one of those country pubs that I visited, though its location felt much more like a…read moresmall village than the others I went to, which really seemed to just be out in the open. Anyhow, it was a nice pub, and like a number of the pubs out in the country, it also have a rather nice beer garden out the back, though I can't necessarily say that the beers really jumped out at me all that much. Mind you, as it turns out, the service really wasn't all that crash hot.

The cat and lion is situated on the outside of warrington it is on the crossroads near, appleton…read morethorn and before stretton. The cat and lion is quite a large pub but feels like it has lots of different rooms to eat in. it does have a large family area but there is no play area etc. you will always find a table. It also has the added bonus of a premier inn/travel lodge next door for people requiring overnite stays. The menu its self is like most pubs, the usual steaks, fish, burgers and pies.It has childrens food and a section for people who have smaller appetites, which i find good with children who are older.You get a table first then place your order at the bar. i did find the bar staff slow and not too professional.

Somewhat hidden away from the main road this proves to be a lovely surprise as the food and menu…read moreare fantastic. Well worth a visit and a bit of a treat. The location is about a ten minute walk into Rhyl town centre and is truly worth taking a visit to

My husband and I live in Portland, OR, USA -- he was raised in Rhyl. We decided to have our wedding…read morein Rhyl, and chose Barratt's of Tyn Rhyl for our reception and accommodation in 2011. We ABSOLUTELY LOVE this place! David and Elvira are such charming hosts, and the food and wine selections are excellent. We loved our reception and our beautiful suite so much; we returned for another week's stay last month. David and Elvira were once again so charming and accommodating -- they even remembered my parents from the wedding. :) I can guarantee that you will not find a lovelier, feels-like-home experience than this beautiful place. Oh, and the breakfast options included in the room price are absolutely delicious! Very private location with beautiful grounds, but quick access for site-seeing in the surrounding communities. David and Elvira always have wonderful suggestions for day trips, I reccommend that you inquire upon arrival. Lovely, lovely place!

Don't let the name confuse you, this isn't a pompous exclusive private gentlemen's club, at least…read morenot anymore. These days it is a small independednt family run hotel, bar and restaurant. The restaurant which comes with a rather cool name, "Ziba" caters for all your boutique hotel dining needs. The produce is locally sourced from a farm owned by the same family and the menu is described as English with a modern twist. I am yet to dine here but have frequented the bar lounge for a few at a birthday bash. There are also gym and spa facilities and for art lovers they also have a gallery room where local artistic talent is shown off from time to time. All in all a very hospitable destination, whether it is for a night's stay or a nice meal. An independent family run business always carries browny points from me as I always feel they are more welcoming. Don't take my word for it, check it out yourself.....los gentes

Continuing my reviews from last Thursday when I took Australian members of my family for a whistle…read morestop tour of some of the restaurants, bars and cultural hotspots of this great city of mine... I wanted to take my uncle and his girlfriend to The Racquet Club as I have always had a very soft spot for this incredibly elegant venue in the heart of the business district, having been to a couple of beautiful weddings here and also having produced a tea dance event there myself several years ago which was just lovely. I also wanted to take them there as I was looking for somewhere classy that did cocktails (our first choice, Panoramic, was fully booked with afternoon tea takers). I remembered the stunning tea inspired cocktails the bar staff had created at my tea dance event so I thought this was a great second choice. Sadly, what I had forgotten was that The Racquet Club only does cocktails for special occasions and not during normal service as their bar is not set up for it! We were so disappointed! However, having had to go down the route of more standard drinks I must say we were very pleased. My uncle loved his half pint of Bombadier (they don't get beer like that in Australia!) and the glasses of wine his girlfriend and I had (a French Rose and a white) were chilled to perfection and delicious. The only other thing I would say is that even though the surroundings of the Racquet Club are beautiful and quietly elegant I do think they could get away with playing some classical music or other quiet, appropriate music if only to give a little atmosphere and cover the noise of the girl cleaning the glasses behind the bar! I will continue to have a soft spot for the Racquet Club but I must remember that they don't do cocktails and that it can be VERY quiet at times!