Imperial Hotel Blackpool Review: Surprisingly Good Stay

Overall rating: ★★★★☆
Expectation level: Exceeded our expectations

Imperial Hotel Blackpool Review: A Spacious Hotel, Grand and Full of Character

Our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review began with fairly modest expectations. Blackpool offers countless hotels, but finding a comfortable four-star property with character, good service and a strong seafront location can prove difficult.

We booked the Westminster Suite for a one-night stay and arrived shortly after midday. Although the hotel could not give us immediate access to the suite, the delay gave us time to explore the seafront and enjoy lunch before returning later that afternoon.

The Imperial Hotel certainly shows its age, and several areas need attention. However, its spacious accommodation, historic character, friendly staff and excellent breakfast helped create a surprisingly enjoyable stay.

Location

The Imperial Hotel occupies an impressive position on Blackpool’s North Promenade. Its seafront setting provides views across the Irish Sea while placing guests within easy reach of Blackpool’s main attractions.

The hotel sits far enough from the busiest entertainment areas to offer a more relaxed atmosphere. However, you can still reach North Pier, Blackpool Tower, the Winter Gardens and the town centre without too much effort.

A tram stop outside the hotel provides convenient access to the rest of the promenade. You can travel towards the Tower, Central Pier, South Pier or Blackpool Pleasure Beach without driving or walking the entire distance.

We found the location particularly suitable for a short break. It gave us access to Blackpool’s attractions while allowing us to escape some of the noise and crowds around the central promenade.

Location ranks among the strongest features in our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

Arrival and Parking

The hotel offers a sizeable on-site car park, which makes arrival much easier than at many central Blackpool hotels.

We paid £10 to park overnight during our stay. Please register your vehicle details correctly, as the hotel uses a camera-controlled parking system.

The large Victorian exterior creates an impressive first impression. Although parts of the building need cleaning and maintenance, the property still retains the grandeur of a traditional British seaside hotel.

Reception occupies a spacious and attractive area, with high ceilings, period details and comfortable seating nearby.

Parking proved straightforward and added another positive point to our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

Check-In Experience

Our check-in took slightly longer than expected because another guest spent a considerable amount of time speaking with the receptionist.

When we reached the desk, the receptionist welcomed us politely and explained that our suite would not become available until the official 3:00 pm check-in time.

We had arrived shortly after midday and had already booked lunch at The Beach House for 2:00 pm. Rather than wait in reception, we changed our plans and headed out for a walk.

The delay caused a minor inconvenience, but the receptionist handled the situation professionally. Staff also explained where to find the Palm Court Restaurant for breakfast and confirmed the parking arrangements.

The check-in experience did not start our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review perfectly, although the friendly service helped improve the situation.

The Westminster Suite

Room 111, known as the Westminster Suite, sits on the first floor and forms part of the hotel’s Master Sea View Suite category.

Space provides the suite’s greatest advantage. The accommodation felt more like a small apartment than a conventional hotel room.

The suite included:

• A large living room
• A main bedroom with a four-poster bed
• A separate twin bedroom
• A spacious bathroom
• Tea and coffee facilities
• Several televisions
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Bathrobes and slippers
• A safe

Families, friends travelling together, or those planning a longer stay would appreciate the generous layout.

Although the furniture and decoration looked tired in places, the suite gave us far more space than we expected. That extra room played an important role in the positive result of our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

Living Room

The large living area contained a leather sofa, several armchairs and a dining table. An antique-style sideboard held the kettle, tea, and coffee supplies.

The room could look exceptional after careful refurbishment. New soft furnishings, repaired windows and improved lighting would transform the space without removing its period charm.

Several large windows faced the sea, but dirt and maintenance issues restricted the view. Cleaning and repairing the windows should rank highly on the hotel’s improvement list.

Despite those shortcomings, we enjoyed having a separate living room and appreciated the amount of space.

The generous living area became one of the most memorable parts of our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

Main Bedroom

The main bedroom featured a traditional four-poster bed, which suited the building’s historic character.

We found the bed comfortable and slept well. Two bedside tables with lamps provided practical lighting, while a dressing table and mirror offered a useful place to get ready.

The bedroom also included a wardrobe and a secure safe. Two chairs beside the windows created another seating area overlooking the promenade.

Some of the furniture looked worn, but the room remained clean and comfortable. The large proportions also prevented the bedroom from feeling crowded.

The four-poster bed added a sense of occasion and helped the suite feel different from a standard chain-hotel room.

Comfortable sleeping arrangements strengthened the overall score in our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

Twin Bedroom

A separate twin bedroom made the Westminster Suite particularly suitable for families or groups.

The room contained two single beds, a dressing table, a mirror and a small television. An adjoining door also connected the suite to another guest room.

Children or additional adult guests could enjoy their own space rather than sleeping on sofa beds in the living room.

Few hotel suites offer this much practical accommodation, and the second bedroom added genuine value to the stay.

Bathroom

The large bathroom included two washbasins, a toilet and a bath with an overhead shower.

The room provided plenty of space for two people to prepare at the same time. However, the shower curtain and older fittings made the bathroom feel dated.

We also discovered that the bath had no plug. A quick telephone call to reception solved the problem, but housekeeping should have noticed the missing item before our arrival.

The hotel supplied SOAK shampoo, body wash and body lotion. Additional Geneva Guild toiletries gave the suite a slightly more premium feel.

The bathroom worked well enough for one night, although a modern walk-in shower and updated fittings would significantly improve it.

Bathroom maintenance represented one of the weaker areas in our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

Bars and Public Areas

We visited the Number 10 Bar, which sits behind reception, for a couple of drinks.

Hotel-bar prices are usually higher than at nearby pubs, but we found them reasonable for a four-star property. The bar provided a comfortable and relaxed place to sit before heading out for the evening.

Traditional decoration continues throughout the public areas. Some guests may find the style old-fashioned, while others will appreciate the hotel’s character and history.

Breakfast at the Palm Court Restaurant

Breakfast became one of the highlights of our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review.

We arrived at the Palm Court Restaurant at around 10:00 am. The restaurant had become busy, so we waited approximately ten minutes for a table.

Once seated, a member of staff quickly arranged tea and coffee before directing us towards the self-service buffet.

The buffet included:

• Bacon
• Sausages
• Eggs
• Hash browns
• Tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Baked beans
• Toast
• Cereals
• Fruit
• Yoghurt
• Pastries
• Fruit juices

Staff kept the hot dishes well stocked despite the number of guests.

We expected an average mass-catering breakfast from a large seaside hotel. Instead, the quality exceeded our expectations and provided an enjoyable end to the stay.

Breakfast added significant value and helped lift our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review to four stars.

Staff and Service

Staff members consistently treated us in a friendly and approachable manner.

The reception team answered our questions, arranged the missing bath plug and explained the hotel facilities clearly. Restaurant staff also worked efficiently during a busy breakfast service.

The service did not meet luxury five-star standards, but we did not expect that level from the hotel. The team provided warm, practical service you would expect at a good four-star property.

What Could the Imperial Hotel Improve?

The Imperial Hotel has enormous potential, but several areas need investment.

The hotel should prioritise:

• Cleaning and repairing the sea-facing windows
• Updating worn furniture
• Improving bedroom lighting
• Refurbishing older bathrooms
• Completing more detailed room checks
• Refreshing tired exterior areas
• Managing busy breakfast periods more effectively

A sensitive refurbishment could protect the hotel’s Victorian character while improving comfort and presentation.

The building does not need to become an ultra-modern hotel. You choose historic properties for individuality and atmosphere. However, historic charm should not be used as an excuse for damaged furniture, dirty windows, or neglected maintenance.

These maintenance concerns prevent our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review from receiving a higher rating.

Overall Verdict

Our Imperial Hotel Blackpool review produced a more positive result than we initially expected.

The building clearly needs investment, and guests seeking sleek modern interiors may find the traditional rooms too dated. However, the Westminster Suite provided exceptional space, a comfortable bed and separate living and sleeping areas.

The seafront location worked perfectly for exploring Blackpool, while the friendly staff and surprisingly good breakfast added considerable value.

Minor issues included the delayed check-in, tired furniture, dirty windows and a missing bath plug. None of those problems ruined our stay.

We would consider returning, particularly if we could book another spacious suite at a competitive price.

Imperial Hotel Blackpool Review Rating

Overall rating: ★★★★☆

Expectation level: Exceeded our expectations

Best for:
Couples, families, groups, heritage hotel enthusiasts, and visitors seeking spacious accommodation close to Blackpool’s main attractions.

Not ideal for:
Guests who prefer contemporary boutique hotels, flawless modern interiors or luxury five-star service.

Final verdict:
A characterful and spacious seafront hotel with friendly staff and an excellent breakfast. The Imperial needs refurbishment, but it still delivers an enjoyable and surprisingly good stay in Blackpool.