Chester, help!

HopeAndDriftWood

Hi,
My boyfriends got exams until 25th Jan, but I would love to take him to Chester for a weekend in very late Jan, early Feb. He was born there, but I've never been, and I'd love to go to the zoo.

We would be coming from quite far away, so we'd need a hotel for Friday night (late arrival, though), and Saturday night, and I'd love to go to the zoo, and if possible, somewhere romantic to eat.

I wondered if anyone had suggestions? I'm useless at planning this kind of thing, but would like to have the nicest weekend using the least money possible.

Thank you!!

Doozergirl

Got sent this earlier in the week.

http://www.dealchecker.co.uk/real-deals/5513.html?gcid=dealgroup-321
£98 per room per night for dinner, bed & breakfast. There was another deal somewhere in a MacDonald that wasn't central Chester but also good value. Can't find the link for that one though. I stayed at their central Manchester one on one of these deals and it was lovely.

I think if you look on the DeVere Venues website there are often deals for a hotel near Chester as well though that one isn't showing up as cheap compared to some of their other hotels for those weekends.
http://www.devere.co.uk/common/room.availability?arrival_date_day=29&arrival_date_month=1&arrival_date_year=2010&x=84&y=11

Bronnie

Good reviews on Tripadvisor

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186233-d1423370-Reviews-Premier_Inn_Chester_City_Centre-Chester_Cheshire_England.html

£89 total for room for 2 people for 2 nights from 29/1/10, booked direct with Premier Inns
5% cashback from Quidco for weekend bookings

Loads of places to eat in Chester. Check out the boards for restaurant offers. Should be some good deals for Jan.

Chester Zoo is notoriously expensive, very few discount vouchers around. At least you can take advantage of Low Season prices, presume your BF will get Student concession price. Note that the prices at the top of the page include a 10% optional contribution to conservation programme. You are quite at liberty to pay the prices in small print at the bottom of the page. I would have no qualms in doing so. It's a great day out, but you're likely to part with a bit more cash when you're in anyway!

http://www.chesterzoo.org/shop/bookings/standard/date.aspx

p00hsticks

There's always the ICG 2-4-1 offer as well....

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/c/1/content/dec/teaser/6c/1/en/lp/emea/twofor.html?rateCode=IDEX1&cm_mmc=DCE-_-PCES070609-_-EMEN-_-UKLEISURE

Rachierach

There is a travelodge in the centre and an inkeepers lodge about 3 miles out.
For the zoo if you nip out to the tourist info office at Cheshire Oaks Outlet village you can buy your zoo tickets before you go then you save at least £5 a ticket (can't remember the exact amount but it's a LOT cheaper than paying at the door). Also no queuing at the zoo then.

HopeAndDriftWood

Thank you all so much

PhilCCFC

Try this too. You get your hotel and zoo tickets in the one price.

http://www.chesterzoo.org/Visit/Where%20to%20stay.aspx

We're members of Chester Zoo and I can confirm it's a cracking day out.

Bronnie

Also be aware the zoo closes about 4pm at this time of year and advises they may close early in adverse weather, so get up and out early to get your money's worth as it's a big place to get around!

loveangel88

On city road, which the train station is on, if you come out of train station and litterally just walk straight up til you get to end of the road, theres a new premier inn now....

Good places to eat include bella italia, meze, weatherspoons,lot 76

Also try out a bakery called Davies on brook st, they do the most gorgeous sausage rolls brook st is near the train station

Butterflybecks

Hello,
I live in Chester and eat out quite a bit.
Gal on Frodsham Street is nice, they do a good lunch time and early evening menu - was two courses and a glass of wine for about £10 last time i went. Also Chez Jules is really nice, on Northgate Street near the walls. They don't have offers on but have never had a bad meal and we always take family who visit there.

There are loads more places to eat. We like Pitcher and Piano on St Johns street for drinks and cocktails.

The zoo is nice, but like others have said its quite expensive and you will need to get there early. If the weather is not to bad a walk round the city walls is always nice.

Hope you have a lovely time