Delta Hotels by Marriott Preston

We booked at short notice for one night and found it good value for what it was. There’s plenty of included parking, and the breakfast was decent. We enjoyed walking our dog around the nice grounds and using the fitness centre and pool in the morning. Dog-friendly rooms are available for a reasonable £30 fee.

Breakfast was really good, with plenty of choice, good coffee and pastries, and my daughter loved using the pool. Some noodles or swim toys during the family slot would’ve been a nice touch. Customer service was good too. The evening bar menu was limited, especially since kids stay free but there’s no kids’ menu. There was a coach trip with exclusive use of the restaurant, so I’m not sure if that affected things. You also have to validate your parking.

The countryside setting was lovely and calm, and the hotel felt well kept. I booked a solo respite weekend away from caring responsibilities, and my junior suite was a highlight: clean, nicely decorated, with a separate sitting area that made it feel like a real break. The bed was large and comfortable, the Wi-Fi worked well, and having a fridge was handy. I chose the stay mainly for room service, which was easy and prompt. There was occasionally a deep vibration or hum, possibly from the building systems. Dining was clearly set up as a casual bar lounge, which may suit plenty of guests, especially in quieter seasons, but I’d expected more of a sit-down restaurant for a weekend break. Breakfast was a standard buffet with great bread, a good continental selection, fruit and juices, but the hot food had clearly been sitting out. I’d booked a dinner-included option, but the allowance wasn’t applied to my final bill automatically. I raised it and it was corrected right away, though I’d double-check at checkout. It was a clean, comfortable stay with efficient service, and I’d happily return for an easy, no-fuss night away.

Having two young children with me, aged 1 and 5, made the lack of a fridge in the room especially inconvenient. This hadn’t been made clear during booking. I was also surprised that housekeeping only comes every three days. For a hotel of this standard, that feels unacceptable when cleanliness and hygiene matter so much with young kids. Reception staff weren’t helpful or interested in assisting guests, and the poor service made the stay frustrating. The lack of clear information, infrequent cleaning, and disappointing customer service mean I won’t stay again, and I wouldn’t recommend it to families with young children.