Mill Hotel
Milton Street, Chester, England, CH1 3NF
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#15 of 20
expert-rated hotels in Chester- Recommended for:
- Families with teenagers, Families with younger children, Mature travellers, Relaxation, Special occasions
Expert review of Mill Hotel
An all-in-one destination with gym, pool, restaurants - even a hair salon and its own boat.
The Mill bills itself as “Chester’s complete hotel and leisure venue”; it certainly packs a lot into this maze of a building. In this former corn mill you get 129 bedrooms, a restaurant, a real ale bar that feels like a traditional boozer, a floating/cruising eatery, large gym and pool, plus many other features. Visitors come from far and wide to experience the canal barge diner, which sails for lunch, Afternoon Tea (including a guide dressed as a Roman) and dinner. The hotel sits on both sides of the Shropshire Union Canal, with the 10-year-old section attached to the older part of the building by a covered bridge.
Location:
On the canal just outside the Ring Road, though you’ll still feel as if you’re in the city centre and it’s a matter of minutes on foot until you actually are. Views from all public areas and bedrooms are fairly lacklustre (lots of buildings, roads and a canal) but with free parking and the proximity to the city centre, I can forgive the lack of anything pretty to look at.
Bedrooms:
Spread across the older part of the hotel and the newer wing across the bridge, choices range from standard, through business, premier and club. The standard rooms are a little uninspired, though clean, comfortable and big, so I’d splash out on an upgrade. The recently-renovated premier rooms, with Jacuzzi baths, seating areas, balconies and altogether upgraded décor, offer good value as the hotel hasn’t put the prices up yet to reflect the renovation. Bag one if you can, there are only six. The Champagne Room, with bubbles and strawberries included, is a reasonable special occasion bet in the city.
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Public areas:
Though it’s small I really like the reception area, it reminds me of a grand ship’s interior, all white steel posts and white furniture, dark wood flooring and beams, and gold detailing. The residents’ lounge bar is dark and cosy.
Eating and drinking:
The real ale bar is always popular and buzzing and the Peppermill Trattoria is more a café venue serving pizzas, sandwiches and snacks. There’s the canal cruiser and the Canaletto Restaurant, where dinner dances are held every Friday and Saturday.
Leisure facilities:
A large pool sits at the bottom of the building, underneath an unusually large and well-equipped gym (unusual for a city centre hotel). Strangely the beauty area and hair salon are nowhere near the pool and gym, though they’re nicely decked out.
Service:
With a smile, young and efficient.
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Who stays there:
Family groups, business visitors mid-week, leisure visitors throughout the week and race-goers.
Price advice:
Many rates include breakfast and parking. I’d opt for the premier for £20 or so more than the basic rate. Dinner and spa packages are available.
Pros:
Free parking near the centre of Chester
Great for families
Big pool
Cons:
It’s a maze of a hotel
Drab standard rooms
Lacks character
More information on Mill Hotel:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- Milton Street, Chester, England, CH1 3NF
- Neighbourhood:
- City Centre
