Hotel Review
Location:
The Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent is situated close to the M6 motorway enabling easy access from the North West and Midlands. The hotel is located on the edge of Festival Park to the west of Hanley and with Waterworld on its doorstep and the Alton Towers theme park being only a 35 minute drive, it’s an ideal base for family breaks as well as for those interested in visiting the historic potteries. For guests arriving by train, Stoke-on-Trent is conveniently located midway between Birmingham and Manchester with direct rail services from London Euston taking just 90 minutes.
Arrival and check-in:
The hotel has a large car park which is free for guests. On check-in we were requested to enter our vehicle registration onto a screen to validate our stay. The open plan reception area has a bright, welcoming atmosphere and with just one other person ahead of us, we only had to wait a few minutes to complete formalities. Alongside our room key cards we were each handed a warm chocolate cookie which is a standard treat at all Doubletree establishments.
The room:
Lift doors and corridors come lined with nods to the local potteries heritage with photographs of bottle ovens, factory skylines and of local dialect phrases which all add to its charm. We were booked into one of the king rooms which was very spacious and came with two double beds with extremely comfortable mattresses. The room was contemporary styled in shades of grey and cream with a huge chrome-cast television at the foot of the beds.
Alongside a dressing table there was a small table by the window which could be utilised as a desk as there were ample sockets and USB points nearby. A complimentary mini bar was filled with soft drinks and water whilst on the tabletop the hospitality tray had a good selection of teas, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits. After settling in, we made ourselves cups of tea and enjoyed our complimentary cookies whilst they were still warm. The recently renovated bathroom was of a good size and with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries, thick fluffy towels, dressing gowns and slippers, we had everything at hand for a relaxing stay.
As a hotel reviewer, I’m invited to stay in many high-quality properties, and getting a consistently good night’s sleep is absolutely essential to what I do. After years of experiencing some of the best beds in the industry, I’ve become particularly attuned to what makes a mattress truly exceptional. When it came time to replace the mattress in my own home, I wanted something that could match the comfort and support I’d grown accustomed to so I opted for Simba Mattresses and this proved to be an excellent choice.
From the moment the package arrived, the experience was effortless as it was easy to transport upstairs to unbox, quick to expand and was ready to sleep on within a few hours. Sleeping on my new mattress was a dream as it provided support paired with a plush, gently cushioned top layer that felt almost like sleeping on a cloud. The hybrid design adapted well to movement and temperature, making it comfortable in all sleeping positions throughout the night.
Dining:
Josiah’s Restaurant
The in-house restaurant is named Josiah’s as a nod to Stoke’s favourite son. It’s welcoming, brightly decorated and open for both lunch and dinner. With its relaxed vibe it’s perfect for families with its selection of well priced pizzas and pasta dishes. There’s also an à la carte menu more suited for a romantic getaway and for meeting the needs of business travellers.
Breakfast is also served in Josiah’s where we helped ourselves to yoghurt, fresh fruit and pastries from the buffet before moving onto the cooked dishes from the hot plates. Aside from the fried and scrambled eggs on the buffet, guests are able to request made to order omelettes, boiled and poached eggs. I requested two poached eggs and these were brought to our table perfectly cooked. Despite the hotel being large and our stay being over a summer weekend, we never felt rushed and queues at the service counters were minimal.
The Facilities:
Lounge bar
Josiah’s bar is located next to the restaurant and is light and airy with its large windows overlooking the grounds where there is an outside terrace for warmer days. With comfortable chairs and sofas and reasonably priced drinks we enjoyed both pre-dinner and late evening drinks in the bar. Although quite large, the bar is divided into sections which creates a cosy feel after a day exploring the local attractions.
Meeting Rooms and Conference Centre
The hotel has been constructed next to Josiah Wedgwood’s former Etruria Hall. This characterful, neo-classical Grade II listed building was once the family home of Josiah, a renowned industrialist and the founder of Wedgwood who was one of the world’s most famous pottery companies.
The hall has been sympathetically modernised to meet the needs of today’s guests whilst retaining its period features such as high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and large sash windows overlooking the manicured lawns. Now connected by means of a corridor to the main part of the hotel, Etruria Hall also benefits from its own entrance and with numerous event spaces and meeting rooms it caters for a wide range of functions, weddings and family gatherings.
Pool, Spa and Fitness Centre
The hotel boasts a fully equipped leisure centre comprising a large swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and gym for the use of hotel guests. A range of treatments including facials and massages are available at the spa and if interested, I would recommend booking these in advance to avoid disappointment,
Out and About:
As mentioned above, the hotel is a popular choice for families and groups of friends planning to soend a day at Alton Towers. For those looking for more of a relaxed experience, Stoke-on-Trent has much to offer so do take a look at my suggestions listed below.
Middleport Pottery
Visit Middleport Pottery in Burslem, famous for its blue and white Burleigh tableware where you can join a 90 minute factory tour led by enthusiastic guides. Tours commence in the Victorian offices in the Lodge which is laid out just as they would have been 100 years ago. After learning about the company’s history explore each stage of production discovering how a lump of clay is transformed into a piece of pottery. Middleport Pottery
Emma Bridgewater
Visit the Emma Bridgewater factory in Hanley that became famous for its polka dot mugs. Unlike Middleport Pottery, Emma Bridgewater is a relatively young company having created their first pieces in 1985 before moving production to the current site in 1996. The traditional Victorian factory lies alongside the Caldon canal and produces 1.3 million pieces a year.
One hour factory tours are available, alongside pottery painting sessions across the courtyard in the Decorating Studio where you can unleash your creative talent by decorating a mug, plate, dish or jug using foam sponges to apply the paint. Emma Bridgewater
Gladstone Pottery Museum
Take a short drive over to Longton to discover more of Stoke’s pottery heritage at the Gladstone Pottery Museum. Explore the Victorian bottle kilns and tour the former factory viewing tools, machines and techniques used to produce the pottery that made the city famous. Allow 2-3 hours to look around as alongside the museum there is also a large tile gallery and a fascinating ‘Flushed with pride’ toilet exhibition which are all included in the admission price. Gladstone Museum
Biddulph Grange Garden
A 30 minute drive from the hotel will take you to the National Trust Biddulph Grange Garden. Winding pathways lead to secluded gardens including the Chinese Garden with its bright red bridge and temple building. Other standout features include the lakeside walk and Cheshire Cottage. Biddulph Grange
As we had already visited the World of Wedgwood, Trentham Gardens and the Trentham Monkey Forest previously I have not included them here but instead have linked to them at the end of this post.
Overall:
Whether it’s for a family theme park break or a for a few days exploring the Stoke-on-Trent ceramics trail, the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent delivers on comfort, service and location.
Details: Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent, Festival Way, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
We were guests of Visit Stoke and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:
Love Travelling Blog 
Leave a comment