When asked about plans to quit she says: "And do what? Nothing? What would I do? I'm not compar...
When asked about plans to quit she says: "And do what? Nothing? What would I do? I'm not comparing myself but (it's like) if someone said, 'Oh Picasso, you've painted so many pictures, get some frames and go home.'
Member since:22.11.2002
Reviews:26
Members who trust:64
Did you know that Blackpool has more tourist rooms than any other holiday venue in Europe?
Blackpool is a unique English venue! Where else can one experience the largest Rollercoaster in the UK (Europe?), plus Streets with more lights than GATLINBURG, Tennessee and a Victorian Seafront next door?
Business called me to Blackpool, and I was booked into the Doric Hotel, advertised as a family hotel, two stars, sounded a bit basic, but for the picture on their website, showed a room with a fireplace and I was hooked! It was 30 pounds - or about $50/euros per night for a single (one person), including breakfast, which was a choice of English breakfast (Eggs, bacon, toast, grilled tomato, juice, coffee/tea and EEK, black pudding -- NOT A VEGGIE item!) plus cereals,
fruit, yoghurt, or just eggs, as you like 'em.
My room was the Family Room - number 1 - perhaps because my customer booked me in? It had a 4-poster bed, the aforementioned fireplace, and a HUGE bathroom with a JACUZZI and a bidet, (must be for washing socks, per Paul Hogan?). Coffee/tea maker and a variety of biscuits (cookies UK-style) including hot chocolate and instant capucino - which I mistook for hot chocolate - rude shock! There was a long hallway with curtains, which I assumed covered the windows, but not so, there was another room with bunkbeds, and another TV, so if I decided to invite anyone else to stay, I could have put them up in my Family type = kids Room!
My work colleagues arranged to meet me in the Bar, but it was pretty full (see below), so, instead they gave me a tour of the Lights - sorry, Blackpool Illuminations! Which consist of SCADS of lights throughout the town and along the Promenade (beside the Sea) from September through the middle of November. Since they look like something you would expect at Christmas or at Gatlinburg, Tennessee, it seems odd they turn them out mid-November, rather than leaving them lit over December/January-holidays?
And we saw The Big One Roller Coaster (I declined to ride it, as I am chicken, but you might wish to sample it and the other rides at the Pleasure Beach website: http://blackpoolpleasurebeach.com ) We drove along the Seafront past a Victorian Pier, which reminded me of Brighton (before the fire). My hosts took that as a compliment, as Brighton is considered to be more Posh! You can ride in horse drawn carriages along the promenade, so it gets quite busy with horses and cars and walkers (the locals hide during the Illumination!)
Blackpool used to be mostly a Family place. However, it has more recently hosted bands of roving Stag and Hen parties, who tend to overindulge. Some pubs try to entice them in by offering special concoctions, such as a LARGE VODKA with RED BULL - which is a energy drink (very high in caffeine or guarana) - not MY cup of tea.
So we bypassed those establishments and headed to the next town, Poulton - about 5/10 minutes from the hotel.
We went to the Thatched House pub, a traditional pub - no food, no loud music, but another NICE fireplace and lots of football memorabilia, as the owner is a real Newcastle United fan (translation: soccer to you North americans).
Next door to the pub is a 12th century church, with a garden that fills up with crocus in the spring, the building itself was worth a look.
If rides and architecture aren't enticing, you can also see Theatre and Plays there, and the Moscow Ballet visits every year, too.
In addition Blackpool is not far from Liverpool and Manchester, so you could have a look around the area. There are several potteries nearby as well, such as Royal Doulton.
Oh and there is SHOPPING too at the Freeport Fleetwood outlet village, UK famous name brands at 50% off.
What made my visit unique, was that my hotel became the coach/bus destination for a very large group of Senior Citizens, some of whom had trouble walking, but, in the bar, when they played The Mavericks song, 'Just want to Dance the Night Away', they were ALL up line-dancing en masse. Must be seen to be believed!
And this group also made for an interesting breakfast time, the following morning, imagine hoards of assertive grannies demanding MORE TEA, whilst I on my lonesome, just wanted to get seated in the restaurant!
Next time, I may sample the De Vere Hotel, which has a golf course, or The Clifton, which costs a bit more, but has a lot of character, and quite a grand look to it.
I just came back from there - three hours each way, but the people I see there at Starline are such nice people, I dont mind!
And NOW that member torr has risen to the challenge - anyone else for Blackpool?
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I both live and work in a b and b at the moment, and you review was brilliant, the stag hens do ruin blackpool inpart, it puts a lot of families off but they are trying to camp down on it. But they is somethink to do for everyone here. thanks james :)
mouette 06.01.2004 10:37
I wouldn't say Brighton is posher, just less tacky. Both places a great fun places to visit and stay in. Nick
belinda9 25.05.2003 23:56
That room you got sure sounds nice. A Jacuzzi and all for £30, are you serious?
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