North Stafford Hotel

We spent about 6 weeks here after a problem with our private rental. My 10 year old son and I had to leave because of a bad landlord and a rented property that was in a poor and dangerous state. We were sent to another hotel first, but it was completely horrendous and inappropriate, so we were moved here. From the moment we walked in at around 8pm, the staff made us feel welcome and comfortable. That mattered a lot given what we were dealing with and the hotel we’d just left. They gave us a key and showed us to our room, and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. It was lovely and clean, with all the amenities we wanted, unlike the first hotel. The ensuite bathroom and shower were impressively large and clean too, and the big mirror with bulbs around it made the room very well lit. The lifts actually worked, which helped if you can’t manage the stairs and made it easier and safer to carry luggage. There’s 24 hour reception assistance, plus an in-house restaurant for breakfast and dinner. There’s also a separate room that I believe serves alcohol, though I didn’t use it, so I’m not entirely sure. The hotel is directly opposite Stoke train station, close to many of the city’s towns, and really handy for getting around. The university is just around the corner on the next street, with the college nearby too. The service never wavered during our stay. Really happy.

The central location and free parking were useful, but I wouldn’t stay here again. I care about my health, and the room raised too many concerns. The old building is lovely, but it hasn’t been cared for: our basic room had broken furniture, mould around rotten windows, and heavy dust even in the mattress, where moths had infested it. The TV didn’t work until my husband fixed it. There was no non-slip bath mat for the slippery tub, or bath mat for the tiled floor. Though advertised as dog friendly, the only place for our dog to relieve itself was an overgrown, rubbish-covered car park, with nowhere to throw away the poo bag. At reception, the women didn’t acknowledge me for a while. One was on the phone, repeated her message several times, then pulled a face and hung up; the other ignored me. I was made to pay even after explaining that I’d already paid, though they refunded me straight away. Nobody showed us how to find the lift or our room. The male receptionists we met later were both lovely.

For a two-night visit to Alton Towers, this turned out to be a pleasant surprise at a bargain price. The rooms are dated and a bit worn, but ours was spotless, with immaculate bedding and towels. The firm bed was comfortable and the room fairly quiet. Staff were courteous and friendly. The only drawback for me was that room Wi-Fi costs extra. It suited a short stay well, and I’d come back.

The room and toilet were clean, and the price was reasonable. The reception experience was poor, though. The woman at the desk didn’t seem interested in helping me check in, and the hallways and shared areas smelled bad. Breakfast cost £11 extra and was only okay at best, with instant coffee. In my opinion, it wasn’t worth more than £4.