We have just returned from a one night stay at the Alton towers hotel, where we took our daughter as a treat for her fourth birthday. Upon arrival, we had a great smiley welcome from Dawn and Rebecca, they made our still sleepy daughter feel really special. She had no idea where we were, having gone to sleep thinking we were off to a toy shop, and the girls put her very at ease and they obviously noted her upcoming birthday today as within ten minutes of arriving in our room a lovely personalised certificate appeared for her! Nice touch, really appreciated. We'd missed the splash landing waterpark as it closed at four, and we hadnt arrived until five, but we were given our tickets for the next days use, had a thorough explanation of where to go etc, and they let us know where we could have dinner,booked promptly in the secret garden, and see a pirate show before a cabaret later on.

The room was clean and tidy, but it has to be said not really Premier Inn standard. We didn't go for a themed room, may well next time but availability didn't allow this time, however I was very disappointed with the bathroom, small and not well stocked. Our box of tissues had probably two tissues at most, only informed of this by my daughter as she'd used them both. The toilet tissue was quite reminiscent of school 'tracing paper' tissue, and though we had one bottle of shampoo and one body wash, the one little block of soap seemed to compound our thoughts that perhaps corners are being cut slightly.

Dinner in the 'Secret Garden' was really quite good, didn't expect cheap, didn't get it, but my wife and daughter both went for fish and chips, served in quite a fun way with a little frying basket wrapped in newspaper, and my belly pork with apple mash was superb. It is going to be fatty.!? As it's belly pork but it was well cooked and delightfully served. Our starters were ok, but I have to say the pate wasn't great, and the Camembert to share didn't really do it for me. Perhaps the pate had been in the fridge a little too long, prior preparation etc, but it was encased in a solid block of butter, in a ramekin, and whilst disappointing in taste, my bigger concern was to wonder how many days before it had been prepared? The hotel was quiet, and as this was the only restaurant open it seemed a shame that the staff insisted on seating everyone in the conservatory section, making it seem a little overcrowded in here with lots of perfectly well laid up tables elsewhere going begging. Our table was unfortunately slap bang in the middle of the main route through the area, and so every coming and going, plus all staff serving and returning had to go right past our table, unfortunate to start with, frustrating by the end of our meal! Offered the same table at breakfast I politely declined and requested a table by a window overlooking the lake, much better, pity the poor family that had it then though. Buffet breakfast, everyone up and down time and again, worse than our experience I shouldn't wonder.

Pirate Bill put on a short magic show after dinner for the few kids in attendance, and did his best, though many of the children were too young or too intimidated by his magic perhaps to interact in his show, not our daughter, I hasten to add. She had a great time, and really enjoyed his act, but he must find it quite tiring trying to engage with just a few kids at this time of year.

Lastly the water park itself, short but sweet. Brilliant. Even though the outside area was out of commission, weather and time of year I assume, I have to say that this is not going to be our only visit. The staff were superb, friendly to us all during our few hours there, and a credit to themselves and their employers. They gave us honest advice regarding the big slides, and our daughter's capability to ride them, and instilled in us confidence that they know what they're doing and care about it too.

In conclusion, a really good venue, if they're available and you can afford it I'd recommend trying a Themed room. The basic rooms are just that, the restaurant served mostly good food in a manner that's ok but not great, the staff are superb, and the water park is magnificent.

We will be back and will try to tie it into a day in the theme park next time with an early arrival on the previous day to use the water park then.

Myself and my fiance booked a double room with breakfast.On arriving we were upgraded to a themed room called the "celebration room".All I can say is "WOW" what a superb room it was.We used the spa and found it very relaxing,and clean,the staff were lovely.The evening dinner was superb and very good value.The breakfast did let it down on this visit as it wasnt up to their usaul standard.Overall what a lovely stay.

My partner and I bought a KGB deal for 1 night at the Alton Towers Hotel, B&B, with 3 hours in the spa.
We went this weekend, 14th January 2012. No park or splash landings available but we were aware of that before we went.
The hotel is nice...clean room and friendly helpful staff. The restaurant has more of a cafeteria feel, as described by someone else on here, but the service was good, the food was decent, but the atmosphere could have been better for the prices charged.
The spa was a big let down. I'm not sure how they can call it a spa really. The ladies changing rooms were small and cramped and everyone felt in each others way...and there were only 3 of us in there at the time! Only 2 small showers stalls and the water would not drain away. I'm reliably informed that there was no shower at all in the mens changing area.
The spa itself has a pool, jacuzzi, whirlpool. Each of these had a clear tide mark level of scum on every tile at the waterline, which was not conducive to relaxation. The sauna was good and hot, but the steam room was not steamy and 2 out of 3 of the foot spas did not work. It all just felt a bit grimy and in need of a good clean and some tlc. We only stayed in for about an hour as it was just not a nice place to be.
I'm only glad that we did not pay full price, but would not go again even if we got another cheap deal.

Myself, husband and 8 year old daughter stayed here in Oct 2011. We had booked with The Sun deal - Two free tickets and half price Hotel accomodation for 2 nights - I think we paid around £200 for the break, and this included entrance to the Cariba Creek Water Park. When we arried at 2pm our room wasn't quite ready so we checked in our luggage, This was our 3rd visit to the Alton Towers Resort, previously we have stayed at the Splash Landings Hotel, but thought we would try out the Alton Towers this time. When we got our room, it was a I expected - small, but clean and just what we required for the price paid - extra pillows were brought with no problems whens requested. There was some kind of convention going on there, (there is a convention centre so to be expected) so breakfast was quite busy, but we did not have to wait at all to be seated, there is plenty of choice, and is quite tasty, - you can also eat at the Splash Landings if you wish. we didn't eat dinner at the Hotel, instead we went into Uttoxeter, and ate once at KFC and next night at Frankie and Bennys. Overall we had a nice couple of days, and would be more than happy to stay here again, just need The Sun newspaper to do the free tickets again. Oh, also can highly recommed the Water Park, it is excellent, and definately worth paying for, and nice to go into after the day walking round Alton Towers Theme Park.