We stayed at the Carlton Hotel for one night, we were a little bit disappointed with the size of the room but it was clean and there was ample towels, pillows and bedding. The best thing about our stay has got to be the breakfast buffet it was delicious.

Having stayed in Blackpool at varying establishments in the past, not all successful I might add it was with a little trepidation that we arrived at The Carlton. Although part of the Best Western chain, had it gone the way of the infamous ;'Blackpool Landlady'??
We needn't have worried. We did arrive somewhat early and Tina on reception was most apologetic that housekeeping hadn't finished our room. This for us wasn't a problem as long as we could leave the car we would wander into town and return later to check in.
The hotel is further down than the North Pier, approximately 10 minutes stroll, and I do mean stroll, to the tower. Ideally situated if you want to be close enough to everything but far enough away to avoid any disruptions to a good night's sleep.
On our return Tina was dealing with a small wave of people checking in and each time she repeated the instructions about 'mind the step to the bathroom' or an enquiry regarding morning call, newspaper etc it always sounded as if she was saying this for the first time. Our check in went very smoothly and we booked a table at the Jali Indian restaurant there and then.
The room (203) was quite compact and cool for January as the heating wasn't on. The heating overall did seem to be on strange timings, not on around check in yet on during the middle of the night, as I found when I got up for the loo. Although compact, everything necessary was in the room. It was lovely and clean, as was the whole hotel. The bathroom, again small, with only a shower but that suits us. In fact I prefer this to the shower over the bath. Once again lovely and clean.
Before going to our planned show we ate in the Jali restaurant. The food was very good and the service was excellent. We were never left waiting too long between courses but at the same time we didn't feel rushed either.
On our return we had a drink in the bar before turning in.
As we had such a good experience of staying at The Carlton we have booked to stay again in April when we next come to a show in town.
Tina was back on reception this morning and dealt with us both pleasantly and efficiently. Just what you want from your initial point of contact.
I think The Carlton has got the balance right. Enough of Best Western in there so things run efficiently with enough of the Blackpool landlady in there for that personal touch.

Stayed here 20 Jan found the staff always went that bit further to ensure that we were made very well come .The Jali Indian restaurant in the Hotel is superb.

From the begining.....
On arrival reception staff were just ok, there was a man who appeared scruffy at our standards not new jeans... yes jeans with his shirt hanging out of them(oh dear!). He was efficient though even to the point that even though we had stated numerous times we booked a sea view he firmly said we had a much larger family room it did not have a sea view and was facing the side which had a nice view of the tower, albeit being through very dirty windows. The other young dark haired lady was was very unhelpful~ we popped back down to tell her that the tv wasnt working and she said she didn't know how to fix it and basically it didn't work throughout the whole stay! We visited reception once again, this young lady was on the telephone to another guest who's radiator wasn't working, and honestly this is what she said...... Oh I don't know anything about radiators...... have you switched it on? oh, well i dont know? I'll write it down and maybe they'll sort it tomorrow? I'll see if you can move to another room.etc...... she was not the problem solvimg type.
So then we asked here the basic knowledge of where we could drawer cash out(cashpoint) and do you know what the answer was..... oh I dont know! In town maybe........ appauling!!!! what the hell is she doing on reception! She looked the part, pretty friendly.... but i have to say pretty awful!
On arrival at our room it was a reasonable size at the least we would not state it was larger.... YES it it have a double bed and a single, but was still compact! not as the scruffy man stated!
thats the negatives...
Heres the positives~
We arrived for a party, and on arrival back at the hotel (3am) We pressed the doorbell(normally hannibal lecter answers) but unusually we were greeted buy such a friendly gentleman,RAMA was his name.... clean professional and quite witty (we'd had a few) We were famished so we asked him about room service and he showed us what was available via the room service menu........... which was quite extentive for a 3* so we ordered some sandwiches. Rama had obviously prepared them himself they were delivered with a smile, professionly presented and we popped the tray out when we had finished.... and it disapeard quick as i had to pop to our car in the free car park about 5am.... dont ask! and the tray had gone!
Little mention to the adorable housekeeper who about when Rama was on reception, she was ever so friendly.... made us chuckle the whole time she was talking she was buffing the brass fixures..... we run a hotel and we would employ either one of these like yesterday.... true workers and guest orientated.
All in All this is an immaculate hotel with rooms which are a bit of a miss match(lottery) but whatever room you get it will be clean and well appointed.
Only the greeting team on our arrival were a bit ropey.
A little mention about the restaurant, we decided to refuel at the in house restaurant about 1500hrs but the table we chose we could only have the restaurant menu...3 courses, and was told to move to 2 tables down( we only wanted nibbles) two tables down consisted of two sofa's and a coffee table, I wasnt born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but i did not want to eat at a coffee table and I was not allowed to order unless I did! By the way this restaurant only had 2 tables in it the whole stay......I think you'd agree pretty rediculous...... we walked into town for some food instead.
All in all aint all bad We would stay there again... it was very clean and well appointed! special mention to Rama and the red haired housekeeper....stop hiding them away on the night shift~ they are an asset to your business!!!