The Imperial Hotel Blackpool

“A little dated, but adds to the character.”

This hotel is a very nice, staff friendly. Rooms clean and nice size, with sea view. Little run down, but this adds to the character. Bar staff miserable, but Ive been served by worse. Overall good value for money.

“Overreliance on past glory.”

It is clear that this was once a fabulous hotel. It is still nice but it is clearly dated, The travel and hospitality businesses have seen a vast change in recent years. Hotel competition has always been high in Blackpool, but the whole town leans on its former heyday. So many boarded up shops,… more

It is clear that this was once a fabulous hotel. It is still nice but it is clearly dated, The travel and hospitality businesses have seen a vast change in recent years. Hotel competition has always been high in Blackpool, but the whole town leans on its former heyday. So many boarded up shops, pubs and other businesses (as all towns have) but Blackpool has a huge quantity of hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, Yes, even some of those in the North Shore area are boarded up as it seems supply may exceed demand. The net effect is that, while once the hotel may have catered to heads of state and Hollywood glamour figures, it seems these days it attracts mainly pensioner coach parties and conferences. With so much competition in those marketplaces, it is surprisingly inexpensive, at least for the accommodation alone, but the downside of that is the impression is there is not enough money coming in for upkeep and maintenance. This is a catch 22 as it is marketed heavily on what it used to be while it is declining all around it. The grandeur is fading rapidly, with very visible wear on carpets, decor and furniture. It is definitely a big place, with a nice bar and reasonable food, with entertainment provided, but its glory days are far behind it. The rooms are nothing special unless you opt for an expensive suite. It is also a fair walk into town and to North station, although there is a tram stop right opposite. For the price, very good value indeed, but there is good value all over town. Just don't fall for the hype.

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“Good stay”

Good value for money, food good

“The Grand Dame has Passed”

It does little for the hotel industry when overseas investors buy portfolios of hotels and then sit and watch them rot. The Imperial, once the grand Dame of the Blackpool Hotel scene is one such example. Now a shadow of its former self with the ground floor more like a cross between Weatherspoon… more

It does little for the hotel industry when overseas investors buy portfolios of hotels and then sit and watch them rot. The Imperial, once the grand Dame of the Blackpool Hotel scene is one such example. Now a shadow of its former self with the ground floor more like a cross between Weatherspoons & McDonald’s. The Gents toilet stinks and everything looks oh so tatty, worn and dated. The bedrooms: beds hanging on for dear life - A test of what keeps you awake most the creaking floor boards or the rattling windows. Housekeeping is basically surface cleaning and if you move an item of furniture it will be at your peril. That said the shower is good and towels white, clean & fluffy. Lighting apart from the centre light abysmal. The dining room which is vast had just 6 diners on a Saturday night - myself being the 7th. The main course of gammon steak was abysmal and the hand - cooked chips rancid and probably as old as the yellow watercress! Breakfast was better - a self service buffet offering all the usual items and apart from the scrambled eggs which resembled curdled milk and the cheap toasting bread it was not bad at all. Breakfast staff were pleasant but not very smartly attired or indeed shaved. Would I return? No, not even for £10 a night. I would advise to beware of the curates egg. And to the overseas investor I would say this. You have a good manageress, but she is not a miracle worker - open your wallet and invest. Quickly before it’s too late ! .

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