The Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

We have little time at the hotel on first arrival – just long enough to book in and leave luggage before catching the monorail service to the park. 

 

A circular seat/statue (far right) is the centrepiece of the foyer, while the ship/balloon (near right) of Sir Algenon climbs from floor to ceiling of the three-storey atrium, setting the explorer theme for much of the décor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We return in the evening after our day in the park, and, thanks to warm weather, stroll around the lake and fountain to the rear of the hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We end the day with a visit to the Dragon bar.

 

We’re all early to bed after a long day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 7.30 am prompt the following morning we enter the Secret Garden restaurant (left).  It is a self-service buffet with every variety of breakfast fare.  On the right, just the pastry and fruit selection.

 

 

 

 

Then off to the park again – for our time there click below.

 

The Rides

 

The Grounds

 

 

 

On the second evening, we had intended to sample the buffet at the sister hotel, The Splash Landings, but when we got there we found that at this time of the year it’s only pasta or pizza.  So back to the Secret Garden, where we were fitted in by a trainee waiter called Shane (yes, he was Australian) and had a very good meal.  Here is Jay with two cheesecakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final morning – another good breakfast, then sadly we prepare to depart.

 

We dawdle a bit, finally having time to look round the hotel.

 

Jay poses by the ship in the atrium (near right), and Roger by a small balloon on the first floor (far right).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roger and Jay try out the amazing diminishing chair – it really seems to work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, Teresa completes the customer survey via a phone in the lobby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outside, we take a final look at hotel, seeing the lake, fountain and bower in bright sunlight (see below).

 

 

 

 

 

Our final view of the forecourt – of the Alton Towers Hotel (left) and also of the Splash Landings (right).

 

 

After that we asked Satnav for a leisurely way home avoiding motorways and it found a brilliant route on good roads with very little traffic, and scarcely half an hour longer than the frantic dash up the motorway to get there.

 

 

 

Home    Alton Towers    Diary 2009    September