Park Royal Hotel, warrington, Cheshire
Minutes from the motorway, the Park Royal Hotel in Warrington is a quiet retreat full of surprises.
Set in the picturesque village of Stretton, the large, modern hotel has changed considerably since its beginnings as a vicarage in 1831.
Yet the charm has remained with personal touches and delightful staff.
Spacious and welcoming, our king room was warmly lit and had village views. Its muted tones of grey and white complemented sleek features such as a circular window and back-lit bathroom mirror.
With Elemis bathroom products, tea, coffee and a sizeable TV, it was the perfect haven to hunker down for some rest and relaxation.
The talented staff here really enhanced the experience, from the receptionist who doubled as a singer for the local WI lunch to the pastry chef who created an excellent afternoon tea.
Food is served in the downstairs lounge or Topiary in the Park, depending on what you fancy. It is clearly popular with locals who dine alongside hotel guests as the restaurant was fully booked for the next night.
ON THE MENU
My dining partner and I started with crispy fried salt and pepper squid (£9.50) and grilled halloumi (£8.95). The squid was fresh and melt-in-the-mouth delicious while the baba ganoush and red pepper dressing with the cheese was divine.
We both opted for the classic burger (£16.95) for our mains – a hearty portion.
The culinary highlight, however, had to be the afternoon tea, starting at £25 per person. A three-tiered platter boasted thick-cut ham and vegetarian sandwiches, and an array of homemade sweet treats and pastries. The crowning feature was the cherry tart with fresh cream made with thin but sturdy pastry.
wHIlE yOU’RE THERE
Take a dip in the pool or enjoy the sauna, steam room and compact gym. The spa is an immersive sanctuary offering facials, manicures and nail treatments from a friendly team of therapists. GHD hair straighteners in the changing rooms are ideal if you’re heading straight out to dinner or to explore the many nearby attractions. Walton Hall and Gardens is a 10-minute drive away and Chester, packed with history and culture, is a 25-minute journey.
wAkE-UP CAll
A deluxe king room starts at £145, theparkroyal.co.uk
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a lovely town to just sit sipping coffee in the sunshine and watch the world go by, or wander around taking in the architecture, historic buildings, courtyards and pastel coloured houses.
The daily food market is a real treat for the senses too.
I stayed at the four-star Hotel Laguna Nivaria, an impressive 16th Century mansion in the heart of the old town, overlooking the leafy main square.
The breakfast buffet leaves you spoilt for choice while dinner in the restaurant serves up fresh local dishes – the pork fillet in a moreish dark Pedro Ximenez sherry wine reduction was amazing.
A 20-minute drive out of La Laguna takes you into the mountains of Anaga Rural Park with its lush laurel forests and spectacular views of the island and sea beyond.
Covering 14,500 hectares, there is a vast network of trails and paths and a route down to Taganana village where you can finish with a dip in the sea.
Later we headed west along the northern coastline to one of the oldest and prettiest villages, Garachico. It was founded in the 15th Century and was once a prosperous port, but was destroyed by a massive eruption of the Montana Negra volcano.
Today some of the biggest attractions are the natural swimming pools in the sea created by the lava flow.
Garachico’s picturesque streets