Having visited Chester many times over the years, we decided it was finally time to stay at one of the city’s most iconic hotels: The Chester Grosvenor. The occasion was a birthday celebration, so expectations were understandably high. This was not intended to be just another overnight stay; it was meant to be a luxury treat in the heart of one of England’s most attractive historic cities.
On previous visits to Chester, we had stayed at hotels such as the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Blossoms Hotel, both of which offered comfortable stays at more modest price points. For this trip, however, we chose to spend more and booked an Executive Room at The Chester Grosvenor for £225.00.
Given the hotel’s reputation, central location and five-star positioning, we expected a level of comfort, attention to detail and service that would justify the premium price. Unfortunately, while the hotel certainly benefits from a superb location and traditional grandeur, our stay fell short in several important
Chester Grosvenor Hotel Review – Quick Links
Hotel Review Details
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Arrival Date | 4th March 2016 |
| Room Type | Executive Room |
| Room Number | 220 |
| Address | Eastgate, Chester CH1 1LT, Cheshire, United Kingdom |
| Hotel Website | The Chester Grosvenor Official Website |
| Booking Website Used | Hotels.com |
| Loyalty Programme | No hotel loyalty programme |
| Nearby Restaurants Mentioned | Upstairs at the Grill / Hickory’s Smokehouse Chester |
Location
The Chester Grosvenor’s location is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. Situated on Eastgate, right in the heart of Chester, the hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the city’s historic centre, shops, bars, restaurants and Roman walls.
For visitors wanting immediate access to Chester’s main attractions, it would be difficult to find a more convenient base. The location gives the hotel a sense of occasion before you have even stepped through the door. It feels traditional, central and prestigious.
However, a prime location also brings a higher price tag. When a hotel charges a premium, the overall guest experience needs to match that expectation. In our case, the location impressed us, but other parts of the stay did not deliver to the same standard.
Arrival and Check-In
As we were driving into Chester, we chose to use the hotel’s valet parking service, priced at £8.50 for 24 hours. This was a convenient and welcome option, especially given the hotel’s city-centre position.
The arrival process was smooth. We drove up to the hotel entrance, handed over the car and were guided to reception to complete check-in. The process itself was quick and efficient. A member of staff also asked whether we would like tea or coffee sent to our room the following morning.
At first, this felt like a thoughtful touch. However, as became clear later, the morning coffee was not complimentary, which was disappointing because this was not made clear at check-in.
A member of staff then escorted us to our room, and our bags were already waiting for us when we arrived. This was a positive start and reflected the type of service you would expect from a five-star hotel.
The Executive Room
The hotel describes its Executive Rooms as offering additional space, unique design, soft furnishings, a 6ft king-size bed, a seating area, a feature desk or vanity area, and marble bathrooms with integrated bath and shower.
Our room was located on the second floor overlooking Eastgate, which was a real highlight. The view added character and gave the room a strong sense of place. Looking out over one of Chester’s most recognisable streets was a lovely feature and helped create an initial feeling of occasion.
Unfortunately, the room itself did not fully live up to expectations.
The bed was described as a large king-size or super king-size bed, but in reality, it consisted of two single beds and two single mattresses pushed together. This made the bed uncomfortable, and neither of us had a good night’s sleep. In a hotel of this standard, especially in an Executive Room, the bed should be one of the strongest parts of the stay. Instead, it became one of the main disappointments.
The décor and furnishings were acceptable, but they felt somewhat dated rather than luxurious. There is a difference between traditional elegance and a room that simply feels in need of refreshing. The Chester Grosvenor clearly leans into its heritage style, but for us the room lacked the polish and comfort expected at this price level.
More concerning was the smell of cigarettes in both the bathroom and bedroom area. This significantly affected the overall impression of the room. A five-star hotel should feel fresh, clean and carefully prepared for each guest. Any lingering smell, particularly of smoke, immediately reduces the sense of luxury.
There were also no tea or coffee-making facilities in the room. While some luxury hotels prefer to provide hot drinks via room service rather than in-room trays, this needs to be communicated clearly. In this case, it led to confusion later in the stay when the coffee we ordered was added to the bill.
Bathroom
The bathroom was finished in marble and broadly offered the facilities expected from a five-star hotel. It was functional, well-equipped, and in keeping with the property’s traditional style.
However, it did not feel particularly memorable or luxurious. Nothing stood out as especially indulgent, and the cigarette smell affected the overall experience. A bathroom in a hotel of this calibre should feel spotless, fresh and relaxing. Ours was adequate, but not exceptional.
Restaurants and Bars
During the day and evening, we had already eaten elsewhere in Chester, including Upstairs at the Grill and Hickory’s Smokehouse, so we decided to return to the hotel later for drinks at Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor.
Given the hotel’s reputation, we expected the bar experience to feel refined and attentive. Earlier in the day, we had enjoyed a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for £70.00 and considered ordering another bottle at the hotel to finish the birthday celebration.
We fully expected a premium hotel mark-up and assumed the bottle might be around £90.00. However, the same bottle was priced at £120.00, which felt excessive. We are not against paying more in a five-star hotel, particularly when the setting, service and overall experience justify it, but this price felt too high.
Instead, we ordered two gin and tonics and two craft beers, which came to £35.50. This was not cheap, but it was more in line with what we expected from a hotel of this type.
The bigger issue was the service. The staff were not particularly attentive, and the atmosphere did not feel especially welcoming. Our impression was that because we were not dining and perhaps were not dressed in the most formal attire, we did not receive the same level of attention as other guests. Whether intentional or not, that was how it felt.
A luxury hotel bar should make all guests feel valued, whether they are ordering a tasting menu, a bottle of champagne or simply a couple of drinks.
Room Service and Morning Coffee
At check-in, we were asked whether we would like tea or coffee sent to our room the following morning. We ordered coffee for 8.30 am, but woke earlier and called room service to change the time. To the hotel’s credit, the tray arrived within around 10 minutes, which was efficient.
However, we later discovered that coffee for two was charged at £9.50.
The issue was not necessarily the charge itself. We do not object to paying for room service when the cost is made clear. The problem was that this was presented at check-in in a way that made it feel like part of the service, particularly as there were no tea and coffee-making facilities in the room.
Had the charge been explained clearly, there would have been no issue. Instead, it felt like another unexpected extra.
Breakfast
Breakfast was served in La Brasserie, with breakfast times listed as 7.00 am to 10.00 am Monday to Friday and 7.30 am to 10.00 am at weekends.
We booked the hotel through Hotels.com on a bed-and-breakfast basis, so we expected breakfast to be included in a straightforward way.
After being seated, we were given the breakfast menu. The continental selection included juices, cereals, fruit, breakfast rolls, croissants, Danish pastries and porridge. The menu also included an English breakfast, but to our surprise, there was a £9.50 supplement.
This was particularly disappointing. When a guest books a five-star hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis, it is reasonable to expect that a cooked breakfast is included, or, at the very least, that any supplement is made clear before ordering.
The member of staff did not explain the charge when handing over the menu. We both chose the English breakfast and waited to see whether the supplement appeared on the final bill. It did.
Again, this reinforced the feeling that the stay involved too many unexpected extras. Individually, these charges may not be huge, but collectively, they alter the overall impression of value.
Service
The service was mixed.
The check-in process was efficient, valet parking was convenient, our bags were taken to the room, and room service responded quickly when we changed the coffee delivery time. These were all positives.
However, the service lacked warmth and consistency. In the bar, the staff did not feel particularly attentive. At breakfast, the English breakfast supplement was not properly explained. At check-in, the morning coffee was offered without making clear that it would be chargeable.
For a hotel with The Chester Grosvenor’s reputation, service should feel polished, proactive and transparent. It should not leave guests questioning what is included and what is not.
Value for Money
This was the main issue with our stay.
We paid £225.00 for an Executive Room and expected a premium experience. Instead, we encountered an uncomfortable bed, a dated room, a cigarette smell, expensive drinks, a charge for morning coffee, and a breakfast supplement despite booking on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
We are happy to pay a premium for quality. A luxury hotel does not need to be cheap, but it does need to feel worth it. In this case, the experience felt less like indulgence and more like paying extra at several stages for things we had assumed would form part of a five-star stay.
The comparison with other hotels we have stayed in made this more noticeable. When you have paid similar or even lower rates elsewhere and received a more impressive room or more generous service, it becomes harder to justify the cost.
What We Liked
The hotel’s location is excellent and hard to beat for a stay in central Chester. The valet parking was convenient, check-in was efficient, and having our bags waiting in the room was a nice touch. The view over Eastgate from our room was also one of the best parts of the stay.
There is no doubt that The Chester Grosvenor has history, character and status. It feels like an important Chester hotel and will appeal to guests who value heritage and tradition.
What Disappointed Us
The main disappointment was that the hotel did not feel as luxurious as expected. The bed configuration made for an uncomfortable night, the room felt dated, and the smell of cigarettes was unacceptable for a hotel of this standard.
The additional charges also left a poor impression. The morning coffee charge and cooked breakfast supplement should have been explained clearly before ordering. Transparency is important, especially in a premium hotel where guests are already paying a higher room rate.
The bar prices also felt excessive, and the service did not feel attentive enough to justify the premium.
Chester Grosvenor Hotel Review Verdict
The Chester Grosvenor is an iconic hotel in an outstanding location, with a strong reputation. For some guests, particularly those looking for traditional English heritage in the centre of Chester, it may still hold considerable appeal.
However, our stay did not meet expectations.
When staying at a five-star hotel, especially for a birthday celebration, you expect comfort, attention to detail, clear communication and a sense of occasion. While there were some positives, too many aspects of the stay fell short.
The room was not as comfortable as it should have been, the smell of cigarettes was disappointing, service lacked warmth in places, and the additional charges made the overall experience feel poor value for money.
We do not mind paying a premium for luxury. What we dislike is paying a premium and then feeling that basic elements of the stay either fall short or cost extra.
For us, The Chester Grosvenor delivered on location and heritage, but not on the level of comfort, service, or value we expected from a five-star hotel.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
Best for: Guests wanting a traditional hotel in the heart of Chester.
Less suitable for: Travellers expecting modern luxury, strong value, or a fully inclusive five-star experience.
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