Doric

The all-inclusive deal was affordable, and I couldn’t fault the food, drinks or staff. The pool areas were clean and tidy too. It’s a bit out of town, but I wasn’t planning to leave the hotel anyway.

We had a lovely two-night family stay with our two children. The staff were all kind, and our room was nice and clean. The pool was warm and well looked after, and there was plenty of delicious food to choose from. We’d happily recommend it and plan to come back.

The biggest concern for me was the fire safety. I saw several fire doors propped open, damaged, or unable to shut properly because of faulty closing mechanisms. With families staying in a multi-storey building, that left me uneasy and awake worrying about an emergency. We paid £150 per room for bed and breakfast, expecting a decent, affordable base for Blackpool, but the hotel felt neglected and stuck in the 1970s. The decor was faded, the beds uncomfortable, and the walls thin. There was a heavy musty smell as soon as we walked in, like stale carpets and an old people’s home, and it clung to our clothes and made us nauseous. The evening entertainment was poor, with cheap acts that were barely more than background noise. The bar beer tasted weak and flat, as if watered down, which felt insulting at those prices. I couldn’t wait to leave. The stay was grim and uncomfortable, and I’d tell people to avoid the Doric Hotel, Blackpool. Even at half the price, it wouldn’t be worth it.

The room was small and right by the elevator, which made loud noises every minute. I could hear loud sounds from nearby rooms as well. Breakfast was very bad, and the management seemed lacking, so I didn’t feel the stay was worth what I paid. The indoor pool was quite small, while the outdoor one wasn’t available. The steam room wasn’t working one day, and the next day the jacuzzi was out of order.