ABode Chester

The room never warmed up, even though I hoped it just needed time. It was around 10pm, and I should've gone downstairs about it. Breakfast was awful too. I waited over 15 minutes just to order, then another 30 without a drink or food. A couple who arrived 10 minutes after me got both, despite ordering the same thing. At checkout I asked to speak to someone. They said a manager would email, though I doubt that'll happen. I'd avoid this place. There are much better hotels in Chester.

The room was clean and the reception staff were kind and welcoming, but there weren't any power sockets by the bed, which was inconvenient. Breakfast was the bigger problem and put a serious dent in my stay. I had a meeting at the hotel and went down at 08:10, thinking 20 minutes would be plenty. There's no buffet, just a menu brought by a waiter or waitress. It took 15 minutes to get the menu, and after I ordered, my food still hadn't arrived by 08:45. I had to leave without eating and got to my meeting 15 minutes late. It was extremely frustrating and unacceptable. With a buffet, I could've eaten quickly and made it on time. I stayed one night, 20/21 January 2026.

Everything was clean and acceptable, and I had a good stay. Still, the £20/night parking charge left a bad feeling. I paid when I left, then asked whether they needed my vehicle reg and was told not to worry. It made me wonder if I'd paid for nothing and whether anyone checks, though I'm glad I did the right thing. Parking ought to be free for guests.

The beds were genuinely comfortable, and I slept well. The rooms were okay, though worn in places, and the shower design meant water soaked the wall each time. They didn't live up to the hotel's impressive exterior. The location is hard to fault, close to the town centre, parking, and everything else you might need. The gym was a let-down, with old equipment and a partly broken bench that didn't feel safe. A refresh, including a cable machine, would make it much more useful. Breakfast was the worst part. For £10, it was basically cheap coffee, basic cereal, and a few small snacks, while eggs on toast and anything more substantial cost extra. That felt like poor value. They should include cooked food in the buffet or drop the buffet charge and let people order what they want from a menu. We waited 15 minutes for a menu and another 45 for a croissant. The staff seemed overwhelmed, and the place was clearly understaffed. It might do if you just need somewhere after the races, but I probably wouldn't return without improvements.