Chester Central (South East) Hotel

Accommodation was good but dining room and food was terrible. Slow service, poorly cooked breakfast disinterested “chef”

We stayed here one night to go to the zoo early the next morning. We booked a premier plus room, which was nice with both air con and an opening window, which was a bonus in the hot weather. The room was spotless, newly refurbished, and the bed comfy. There was no lift, so we had to carry our luggage upstairs. We arrived at 7pm, and there were only 3 parking spaces left, 2 of which we’d not have got into due to how the cars either side had parked badly. We were very disappointed in the eating establishment, which was basically like being in a cheap cafe or school canteen. Drinks were cans, including the wine. The burger came with frozen fries, no coleslaw or salad. Very basic. We had the £26.99 meal deal, but it didn’t feel worth it. Very cramped room so you were shoulder to shoulder with the next table. As a regular Premier Inn customer of 20 years or so, I have to say that closing the bars and restaurants is going to kill them off. I like a nice bar to relax with a drink, and a menu with more choice and special offers. Will sadly have to start looking elsewhere.

Great location for Chester Zoo, welcoming staff, the room was very clean and looked like it had been recently updated. The restaurant at the hotel has a good menu selection and the food was excellent. We have stayed here a few times now when visiting the zoo and have always had a lovely stay!!

We stayed for two nights to attend a wedding in Chester. In general the hotel is excellent - the main bit of this is a copy of the review I wrote last week for the Durham one - see later - but first the restaurant dinner :-( This is a step, a very small one, up from a MacDonald's kiddies meal, seriously I have had better veggie bakes in Greggs. I had Nachos - the nachos, salsa & jalapenos were enough if not a massive portion, very tasty and spicy - really nice. But the chicken goujons (why gougons ??) they weren't even particularly nice, the soured cream had done a runner and the cheese sauce is revolting think orange gunk out a tube - seriously ! Why not get some chicken fillets or breast slice them then add some real cheddar and flash it under a grill. This meal must have cost £1 tops to put together - for £6.99 + £3.99 for the goujons that is a rip off - I have no other words for it. I feel sorry for the staff having to present this as food. The second night I had fish and chips which was actually pretty good, nice large piece of tasty fish hot decent crispy, not soggy batter and skinny chips, the peas were in fairly short supply but other than that good enough. The rest of the hotel * * * * * The hotel was spotlessly clean the staff are very helpful polite and professional. The room was lovely and clean, the towels etc fresh and soft and thankfully not saturated in fabric conditioner. Tea and coffee available with decaff tea at reception where you can top up others as well and in the Social. Air conditioning is easy to use and effective. Second pillows are available in the room as are USB chargers beside the bed. I especially like the twin shower where you can miss the rain shower but still get showered. Breakfast was really good with a good range of cereals, muesli, granola etc plus fresh fruit, yoghurt (from a large self serve bowl not the revolting sweet fruit flavoured pots). Also plenty of pastries, crumpets and bead plus spreads etc to top them with. No downsides whatsoever apart from dinner and highly recommended.

The hotel is well positioned. The staff were attentive. The room was a good size, clean & comfortable. The food was of a good standard.