Holiday Inn Chester - South, an IHG Hotel

It took a while to check in as there was only 1 member of staff on reception. The 1st room I was given on the 1st floor at the far end of the hotel had not been made up from the previous guest. Not great when you have 2 bags and a suitcase with you, so I had to return to reception. The 2nd room was better but still cad cup rings in the desk and bedside cabinet areas. No plastic or glass cups in the bathroom just mugs by the kettle. The corridor leading to the room was full of used linen, pillows, cups, plates & cutlery and even a chair. This was around 5.30 p.m. I contacted reception but 2 hours later everything was still there.

I went to the Bar for food, I asked what the fish on the menu was, and it took 15 min’s for someone to check. Food was ok, but not great. Buffet breakfast was good, plenty of choice and the hot buffet was hot and fresh.

Checkout in the morning took longer than it should, again there was only 1 member of staff on reception. No receipt could be given as the printer was broken, but they did as they said they would by emailing me a copy.

The hotel is in a great location and easy to find with ample parking. The staff were really friendly and helpful giving they are fighting an uphill battle with a hotel that looks and feels tired in may ways.

Our room service wasn't carried out on the one day we requested it but the night staff were quick to respond with fresh towels and lots of coffee and milk.

We would stay again if in the area although when we raised the tired state of the hotel when checking out we were very glibly told' well what do you expect of a 70's build hotel. But, we didn't pay 70's prices......

A random hotel experience.
Not terrible, just like nothing I’ve experienced anywhere else.

1. None of the usual pleasantries at check in- time of breakfast, check out etc. just a key and an envelope with instructions

2. I was told a room number but not how to get there by the receptionist. No problem you’d think apart from the random lay out meant that the room numbers have no real logical order and my room number wasn’t listed on any of the signs off the lobby. So I needed to go back to reception to find out where to go. If only I’d have been stood there a few minutes earlier… at check in, when the very same person could have told me where my room is (like every other hotel in the world, ever)

3. Breakfast the next day finished quite early, I’d taken my two kids for a swim so arrive just as breakfast slot was finishing. But the food was still out - so ok to get a few things quickly. The staff absolutely didn’t want to help and made us feel very much an inconvenience. Not exactly welcoming

Hotel was very nice, staff excellent in their duties and friendly. The hotel does need some refurbishment and has some housekeeping issues but as an overnight stay it’s worth looking at. Very handy for the park and ride across the road to the city centre.

Mistake with booking by IHG allowed booking to be taken when hotel was going to be closed! Hotel staff were great but told had to speak directly with IHG. Called IHG customer service who would only offer an alternative room at double the price for less facilities. Raised issue to speak with complaints who also would not help at all. IHG do not seem to care whatsoever about their customers to resolve problems. Shameful treatment and this could have been resolved if they were willing to help. Had to book another non IHG hotel elsewhere so be warned!

Went for a job interview at this place, and the interviewer didnt even turn up. Not only that but I got a fine from the criminal parkingeye company for legitimately parking there. Dodged a bullet by the interviewer not turning up because there was obviosly someting fundamentally wrong with the place, the housekeeping manager looked like a right cow.

Weird. When asking by email if dogs were allowed for an already booked stay in May 2023 the front desk replied the hotel is closed and they don't know if it will reopen by May. What ?! So your hotel is closed and you are not warning your customers, seriously ? Cancellation done. What a bad customer experience.

Ideal location central to Chester itself, nice clean well maintained troons every time we've stayed and sraff always very polite and friendly. We can highly recommend this hotel to anyone wanting a pleasant stay and not just a little room a bed and a kettle.