Just seen this - Hubby & I booked 3 nights at the Norbreck about 6 years ago - we left after one night. Awful. I asked for a room close to the dining area as I was on crutches at the time - our room was at the very north end - heck of a walk! The walk-in (for disabled) shower leaked into the bedroom, - it was sopping - the restaurant ceiling above our dining table leaked water (we think bathwater) all over our meals, there was no room in the dining area next morning so we had to eat breakfast in the corridor on a coffee table. The hotel was packed! - a convention of some sort going on. We' have more experience with hotels now, and today would have read the riot act. We let our feet do the talking at the time and still tell everyone contemplating a Blackpool holiday to avoid the Norbreck - word of mouth is the best advert - negative or positive. Good & fair review as usual wKw.
Always go to Norbreck when I’m in Blackpool. Get what you pay for. My rooms have always been clean and warm. The kids love it also some great memory’s. Right next to sea and nice walk into Blackpool.
To be fair the hotel looks like it's vastly improved since I stayed here 5 years ago. The stench of raw sewage and mould hit you when you walked through the door. Old pine chipped and dented furniture, paint splattered curtains hanging off the rails, stained walls, thread bare carpet with fag burns included and the bathroom had never been cleaned from previous guests. As for the view you could see nothing through the manky windows. If it had not been for just one night I would have walked out. It's a huge place and probably impossible to keep on top off unless you employ numerous staff but charging cheap as chips prices wouldn't cover the cost. I worked in a small hotel many years ago and we were given a certain time to have the rooms cleaned by so it all depended on how previous guests left it to how much time you had to clean. A room left pretty good you had time to clean some extras but a manky room you just had time to do the basics. Now when I stay anywhere I always strip my bed, bag all the rubbish and leave it tidy because I know what it's like.
Always love your videos. Norbreck Castle is no exception, telling and showing it as it is. Rather than it just being bad, it's funny 😂😂😂. Keep up the good work.
What do you expect when you look out a Blackpool hotel window? The hanging gardens of Babylon or herds of wilderbeast roaming majestically across the plain?
I would expect a sea view if I had asked for one! No, Blackpool don't have the hanging gardens of Babylon or heards of wilderbeast but it does have Stanley Park, voted the best park in England and the Zoo. In winter, fantastic Murmurations of Starlings over North Pier. Blackpool have amazing sunsets and on clear days fantastic views of the Lake District mountains, North Wales and if the conditions are right, the Isle of Man.
This is 100% improvement on the state it was in when we stayed 10 years ago. The corridor from the ballroom to the lift, passing the pool, was bright red and full of huge holes. The decor in the bar area and reception have been painted. The bedrooms have been updated from the green flowered carpets and dark wooden worn furniture - so, now it doesn't seem too bad for what they charge. It certainly was once a very grand building
I stayed there with my ex wife 35 yrs ago it was beautiful then at the time they held the mercantile snooker classic. Met loads of the stars . What a shame.
Hi I used to be chambermaid at that hotel many moons ago, when it was in its glory. The cleaning was scrutinized by the head housekeeper and if something wasn't right she would come and find you and ask you to redo it. But I suppose it's like a lot of places, not enough staff now, even when I worked there we had a lot of bedrooms per cleaner to do and only 15mins per room. And whichever floor you were on it was your responsibility to hoover the corridor and stairs. Was lovely place, shame it's got a name for itself now.
Right...to be fair to the place it used to be a unique venue in the 70s and 80s and a google of its history will provide some degree of conparison to its halcyon days. Sadly it has not kept pace with modern standards or customer needs and as such needs a colossal amount of money investing in it to bring it up to its former glory. An icon of the sea front thats seen better days sadly.
What shocks me about this place is just how grubby it all is. I expected the rooms to be dated and tatty but there’s no excuse for dirty paintwork, carpets and internal glass. Thanks for the review.
I went to a con at the Norbrek Castle. Apart from the fact we drank the Castle Dry it was great. That was 20 years ago. Don’t know what’s happened since then. Such a shame. 😂
Those beds have not been changed , when you use a fresh clean sheet there should always be a long crease down the middle, after sleeping on it, this crease disappears
I stayed here many many years ago, and it’s so sad to see it like this. As you’ve already mentioned it must have been grand years ago, and it definitely was. Such a shame.
I stayed here with my then girlfriend for two nights and in all honesty, it wasn’t that bad. It’s tired and tatty but the room was clean albeit a bit dated. It was really cheap so you pay for what you get I guess.
It reminds me of when our family stayed in a smaller hotel up behind the tower. The carpets up the stairs hadn’t seen a vacuum for months. Our room was just as bad. Remember coming to the Norbreck for one of my husband’s functions with his bank? Thankfully, we stayed at another hotel and not here. As you say, it’s such a shame as this could be a lovely hotel if someone put some money into it. Thanks for showing us around, Paul, but I’ll give this one a miss in the future!!
I stayed here in 2012 for a convention and really enjoyed the hotel and would definitely go back there again, at the end of the day your only there to put your head down to sleep as you are going to be exploring Blackpool, and that price is reasonable for Norbreck as your not paying for the Ritz Hotel
I stayed at Norbreck Castle Sunday to Friday and the hotel has vastly improved and food and rooms have very much improved. And that was end of Sept 2023. . Good on Norbreck to get these things done 😊
I stayed with my other half in June, this hotel is a sh*thole. Our room stunk of sewerage and the bed was awful. Along with the room being cleaned very slap dash! I wouldn’t stay there again if somebody paid me! So good luck if you stay here again (just make sure you have decent life insurance) 🤢 Britannia are the worlds worst hotel chain for a reason (they don’t like parting with their dosh to clean).
I have stayed in hundreds of hotels all over the UK, and the Norbreck Castle was the worst. My room had a wet towel on the floor, the windows were disgusting, torn curtain linings and a leaky rusty radiator, The room door had a hole that had a square of plywood nailed over it, when I climbed the stairs, there was a strong smell of sewage. I was there for a conference many years ago, let me say, there has been a huge improvement with the place with what you have shown us. Still would never go back there.
Haha lol stayed for 2 weeks plus please look beyond, the cleaners are amazing food you could not fault apart from oh so muchbeef 😅. Hotel staff beyond complaint brilliant. We did what was recommended on web site look beyond. My best thanks to all the staff at the norbreck for my making myfriend and is stay amazing .
Enjoyed the video I have subscribed so I can watch more of your content. A lot of these large Hotels are the same we know the up keep is very expensive but for someone to go round with a vacuum cleaner is not rocket science and it would make a better first impressions.
I dont know why but i thought it would be better than that. Ive seen other UA-camrs and its looked ok. Thank god i saw this as it was pretty poor stuff. Good vlog as ever.
First visited this hotel for a linedancing event many years ago on a half board basis. Great dance floors, but the rest of the hotel was very tired even then,food mediocre. Room refurbishments have happened over the years, but it is such a huge hotel, it is non stop. But carried out cheaply, using cheap materials, so not long lasting. Not what I would want for a holiday, but it suits my purpose for a linedance weekend. It is very obviously a budget hotel. But the owner is a millionaire I believe living in Jersey. Obviously paying off.
I stay there every January for a big dance event. The rooms are hit and miss, some have been awful, most were OK. It's a budget hotel, you get what you pay for.
I stayed there about 25 years ago. It still is as unkempt now as it was then. It's such a shame, if only they kept it clean. I don't think I'd be staying there anytime soon. Would be good if you did another review after the refurbishment to see what they have actually done to the place and if it is and cleaner.
I've stayed at Norbreck many times, and found it ok with great staff. Often stay at the other end of the hotel and found the rooms to be ok. I'm due back in October this year (2023) for an event. Yes the Ballroom ect are very much still used. It's a big hotel and are short staffed, Also go out of main season me. I've read some of the reviews on Trip Advisor and a lot are so fake and complain about minor things. Copper Jacks is a big bar inside and well worth a visit. Yes I like staying at Norbreck. I also find the main problem with the hotel isn't so much the hotel or staff, it's sadly other guest's who treat the place badly.
I stayed at this hotel in the early 70s and it was very grand. Unfortunately having seen your channel today, I have to say it is a shame to see how the hotel has been neglected. Having stayed in hotels as part of my job (and had to pay for the privilege) I would not want to stay there again, no matter how much or how little it costs. There is no excuse for the lack of cleanliness. Great channel by the way.
Hi Paul..love watching your videos and travels. I did find myself laughing at your misfortunes. But on a serious note...it is such a shame to see something so grand be neglected like that. The maintenance costs must be so high and the more neglect the costlier to fix. I think its gone beyond that level of investment Brittania would make. Saying that there is no excuse not to hoover communal areas. The cleaners probably get told you have an hour to do so many rooms so they only probably have time to change beds and clean bathroom . Enjoyed the review though. 😂
Stayed at the Norbreck and to be honest i did not really scrutinise the room that much so cannot comment on that, had a walk through the rest of the hotel which is vast certainly needed some work doing in parts , booked a breakfast and i was not impressed with the scrum at breakfast omg talk about a free for all.......I loved the great big car parking space which was free at my time when i stayed not sure it is now.....To be fair to the ladies or men who clean the rooms they are given quite a lot of rooms to clean in a short space of time that they cannot give the rooms a thorough clean plus not forgetting the corridors etc., All in all i would stay there again just not have breakfast .
I agree totally with you but as you state they have a lot of rooms to clean which means they have a lot of clientele , so therefore they should employee the correct amount of staff to ensure they give a good service, obviously you would agree they must be cutting corners which is not fair on the cleaning staff.
Hi Paul I stay there once few years ago and it was filthy mate too be honest but years ago it wasn't like that believe me it was a good clean hotel but for some reason there have let it go too ruin 💯🤗
I think that that is still technically in Blackpool and it's Cleveys where you depart the Blackpool Council area although Cleveys and Fleetwood are joined up to Blackpool a bit like Bootle and Liverpool.
Stayed at the Norbeck Hotel a couple of years ago. We were unable to book a breakfast because they said there was no availability. The weekend that we stayed in October it was raining quite heavily and they had to put buckets around to catch the water that was leaking in. Our room was not very clean. The drawers were dusty and also had biscuit crumbs inside. It was cold and damp. l would not stay there again
The Silver Sands is a pure dive it's stinks and it's dirty threadbare carpets throughout the hotel, stayed there for three days never again! curdled milks stains on carpets dirty drinking glasses dirty cutlery in the dining room, I refused to eat any of the meals including breakfast ate out instead had to use Febreze in the room to remove the smells of smokers also pillows smelly on the bed made me feel sick, thick dust on the public phone downstairs dodgy lift people trying my room door handle. I had enough! glad to be back home.
Worked in Fleetwood few years back and had the pleasure of staying at the North Euston for 8 weeks. Most other site workers were staying at this Norbreck Castle place, and my god the horror stories i heard.
I stayed there times over a number of years whilst was taking part in a car rally which used the hotel as its base. The staff were great. The hotel, not quite so much. I call it Stalag Norbreck. You don't so much check out, as tie the bedsheets together and escape out the nearest window. The Britannia website said it had 'period charm.' - I said, "Yes it has, if the period you're thinking of is Colditz Castle, circa 1939 - 1945." They used to have post cards with a photo of the hotel on them. I sent one back to the hotel once which simply said, 'Glad I'm not there.' Apparently a blown double glazing unit half full of salt water counts as a 'sea view.' Not only is the Norbreck shite, it's not cheap. - I have to say the main bar/dining area seems to have had a lick of paint and all new furniture since last time I was there. Can you believe it actually used to be worse than it is now?
Looks like we got screwed over on the rallies too. We were there early February time, so cold, wet & horrible, and a room was about £180 for two nights. That was ten years ago. Last time I was at the Norbreck, I made extensive use of the bar, but ended up sleeping in the back of a van in the car park, rather than book a room. The van was cleaner, warmer and quieter than being inside the hotel.
I've been there numerous times over a period of several years to take part in a trade show. My last visit was 12 years ago and it hasn't changed a bit since then. I never stayed there, always preferring a b&b 3 or 4 doors to the South of the hotel based solely on the lack of cleanliness of the areas of the hotel we passed through and the food and drinks bought at the bar/coffee shop during the shows. Obviously a large, grand hotel at one time it has been in decline for decades - and although "shabby but chic" seems to be "a thing" for that hotel group, I don't remember it as being one of theirs at that time. I watched this video hoping to see improvements since I saw it and it's a real shame there weren't any. Very sad.
Hiya. Been really loving binge-watching your videos! This state of this hotel is shocking. Personally I wouldn't mind the threadbare carpet and worn out stuff if it was actually clean. Things wear, which is inevitable. It's how clean they are that makes the difference.
This hotel is huge.Like The Shining film set. Its a cesspit.Could be used as a Brothel.Freezing, Filthy, Damp. Your lucky your lungs don't pack in in this dump.
It did look tired - but then again, so do most of the larger hotels in Blackpool. The lack of vacuuming on carpeted areas was appalling. However, bit of an obsession with skirting boards going on there mate! I've seen another Brittannia Hotel rated on UA-cam - think it was in Folkestone, Kent. Jeeeeezus...now that was an absolute karsy. Personally, 'she who must be obeyed' and myself now prefer renting a motorhome and taking camping holidays. You can take your own linen and keep it clean during hire, to your own personal standards. Plus you arent stuck in one place - if ever the neighbours (or local natives) get rowdy.
I've stayed here a couple of times. This was in the 90's and it looks better now than it did then. In one section the rooms didn't have doors, just plywood with a number painted on. A lift you had to use a winding pull to get from one floor to another. Floors that had holes in, so you had to jump over these and tri not yo fall over. And, yes cobwebs everywhere and dirt. Never again would I stay there. Awful and a shame since it could be so gorgeous if maintained to a high standard. ☹️☹️
We stayed last year you fell lucky we left after no sleep as the beds was filthy curtains hanging off the rails mould on the towels filthy damaged bathroom was like a halfway house we managed to get a refund and book other accommodation as for any sort of complaints to Britannia hotels you would be wasting your time they do not want to know they have done a few bits but not enough needs closing down. The response from the manager that didn’t want to tell me her name or if she was the manager when asked have you seen the state of your rooms her response was I know what our rooms are like. Never again for us we check all hotels now to be sure they are not Britannia great vlogs btw
You should try another charming Britannia hotel, the Coventry Hill Hotel. The locals refer to it as “Chernobyl”. Arrived 10pm and the stay was so bad that I left before 6am. The room was summed up by the manky bathroom scales in the corner!!
What a shame that a lovely hotel, when it first opened, have been left go into such decline. I was surprised to see limescale in the kettle because in comparison to London and the South East Blackpool is a soft water area. This is the 2nd of your videos I have seen. Very good reviews. Must watch more xxx
I called in the Norbreck years ago for a coffee, but walked back out again as it was minging. Looks like there has been some painting and decorating going on, but the hotel requires more than that. Could once again be a lovely hotel, but really requires millions spending on it. When doing these reviews, you ought to pull off the bottom sheet and examine the mattress itself and also look to see how clean it is under the bed. I've lived in an apartment on the prom at Blackpool and it's difficult to keep the windows clean outside. Can be clean one day, and the next day they can be as dirty again and look like they've not been cleaned for ages.
by the time you get to an acceptable room it may be morning. hehe i am waiting for you to be given a room that some one is already in. the cleaning may be due to not enough staff to clean such a big place. and not correctly being looked after. the place seems to be constant being repaired
Gave up staying in hotels some time ago, lack of respect from other guests eg out of control children, now we rent a cottage, much more stress free, always found them clean. Always enjoy your videos..
Been there before yes it is run down needs alot of work on it but if you just want a bed yes I would stay again it is abit far out from the centre of Blackpool but there is trams and taxi's the hotel has amazing rooms where they do wedding and they have the pool tournament held there 👍
I’ve been to the Norbreck Castle, probably three times and it always reminds me of something out of horror movie. The place is dirty. Also the pub always made me laugh because when it rained the roof always late the only way this also could be better is to knock it down, it’s a shame because it looks lovely building outside😑
1st thing fire door left open, filthy window,.cobwebs in the bathroom, piss marks on the bathroom radiator, filthy carpets in the hallways, this aint no castle its a dungeon yuchhh! why arent hotel inspectors condemning all brittania hotels, they are a disgrace.
Perhaps the arcade is shut because the kids mess about with them and I dont expect anybody is supervising them. Thise carpets are minging but possibly the cleaners just don't have time to clean or lack of staff, probably minimum wage and not a very nice job sometimes cleaning rooms people have left in a state.
The first time I stayed there about 14 years ago, the room wasn't too bad. It is a very basic single room. The second time, I was offered three different disgusting mouldy room. Full of black mould.
It makes me laugh how these people that review these hotels check stuff like skirting boards and small details. I am a cleaner and I would love to go into their houses and check things if perfect, I guarantee it wouldn’t be perfect
I agree with your point about the obsession over skirting boards. However, on balance, the carpeting (particularly on the stairs) was a disgrace. Those carpets clearly hadn't been hoovered for weeks.
I agree The bed and bathroom were spotless He has paid under £23 for one night He has just said he knows Blackpool and he can pay less that that including breakfast which place did he stay on for that He hasn't a clue regarding the footfall of Norbreck castle What an annoying man he is With his co condecending voice
It’s a sham britania got the norbeck used to be a fantastic hotel. Got married at the norbeck had a fantastic time. If you just using it as a base and out and about then it’s fine. If you want a hotel where you can stay at the hotel and relax it’s not for you.
Stopped at the Norbreck in the late 80's, it was dirtier then, looked like someone had punched the door as a large hole was on the inside panel. Our stay coincided with a western weekend, loads of blokes dressed as cowboy's having a shoot out competition (Quickest on the draw). This was followed by a Marie Osmond impersonator singing paper roses at around 3am. The following day we heard a number of our group had upset stomachs (must have been the sea air). Funny enough, we've never been back.
No have not stayed there, but i believe the young farmers do when they take over blackpool for a weekend !! They have been banned from several Its to dirty for me but would have loved to have stayed when its in there prime, some lovely old features, regarding the cleaners, guessing they dont have enough allocated time for area to area rooms etc.
stayed there only one time, a dump, the food was so bad ,so ate out even tho food was in the price.the bar was open when i was there plus the amusments was open, think most of the games was working but would not stay there a gain , my stay was in 2019
I stayed a few months bk.stayed at the bottom room 43 it was clean but got woke up every morning form the workmen not a problem for me room clean no idea about breakfast always went out.i stayed for 2 days would I stay again yep I I would
I’d have left after seeing the rusty piss stains on the radiator in the fist bathroom! Great video, I know where not to stay now 🤦♂️😬
The glory days of these big seaside hotels are long gone.
Just seen this - Hubby & I booked 3 nights at the Norbreck about 6 years ago - we left after one night. Awful. I asked for a room close to the dining area as I was on crutches at the time - our room was at the very north end - heck of a walk! The walk-in (for disabled) shower leaked into the bedroom, - it was sopping - the restaurant ceiling above our dining table leaked water (we think bathwater) all over our meals, there was no room in the dining area next morning so we had to eat breakfast in the corridor on a coffee table. The hotel was packed! - a convention of some sort going on. We' have more experience with hotels now, and today would have read the riot act. We let our feet do the talking at the time and still tell everyone contemplating a Blackpool holiday to avoid the Norbreck - word of mouth is the best advert - negative or positive. Good & fair review as usual wKw.
When a hotel from this chain closes for " refurb" , it usually means something entirely different 🤔 . Good video sir .
It was full of illegals not long ago, that the gov were putting in hotels. I live not far from it, deffo wouldn't stay there if I had to
Always go to Norbreck when I’m in Blackpool. Get what you pay for. My rooms have always been clean and warm. The kids love it also some great memory’s. Right next to sea and nice walk into Blackpool.
To be fair the hotel looks like it's vastly improved since I stayed here 5 years ago. The stench of raw sewage and mould hit you when you walked through the door. Old pine chipped and dented furniture, paint splattered curtains hanging off the rails, stained walls, thread bare carpet with fag burns included and the bathroom had never been cleaned from previous guests. As for the view you could see nothing through the manky windows. If it had not been for just one night I would have walked out. It's a huge place and probably impossible to keep on top off unless you employ numerous staff but charging cheap as chips prices wouldn't cover the cost. I worked in a small hotel many years ago and we were given a certain time to have the rooms cleaned by so it all depended on how previous guests left it to how much time you had to clean. A room left pretty good you had time to clean some extras but a manky room you just had time to do the basics. Now when I stay anywhere I always strip my bed, bag all the rubbish and leave it tidy because I know what it's like.
Always love your videos.
Norbreck Castle is no exception, telling and showing it as it is.
Rather than it just being bad, it's funny 😂😂😂.
Keep up the good work.
What do you expect when you look out a Blackpool hotel window? The hanging gardens of Babylon or herds of wilderbeast roaming majestically across the plain?
😂🤣
lol
😂😂😂😊❤
I would expect a sea view if I had asked for one! No, Blackpool don't have the hanging gardens of Babylon or heards of wilderbeast but it does have Stanley Park, voted the best park in England and the Zoo. In winter, fantastic Murmurations of Starlings over North Pier. Blackpool have amazing sunsets and on clear days fantastic views of the Lake District mountains, North Wales and if the conditions are right, the Isle of Man.
Stop ripping off Fawlty Towers
This is 100% improvement on the state it was in when we stayed 10 years ago. The corridor from the ballroom to the lift, passing the pool, was bright red and full of huge holes. The decor in the bar area and reception have been painted. The bedrooms have been updated from the green flowered carpets and dark wooden worn furniture - so, now it doesn't seem too bad for what they charge. It certainly was once a very grand building
I stayed there with my ex wife 35 yrs ago it was beautiful then at the time they held the mercantile snooker classic. Met loads of the stars . What a shame.
That's around the time I worked there as a chambermaid. Beautiful hotel then, very majestic
the bed leg fiasco had me crying hahahaha
Britannia Hotels Thrive from their bad reputation
Hi I used to be chambermaid at that hotel many moons ago, when it was in its glory. The cleaning was scrutinized by the head housekeeper and if something wasn't right she would come and find you and ask you to redo it.
But I suppose it's like a lot of places, not enough staff now, even when I worked there we had a lot of bedrooms per cleaner to do and only 15mins per room. And whichever floor you were on it was your responsibility to hoover the corridor and stairs.
Was lovely place, shame it's got a name for itself now.
I stayed there for a conference many years ago and the hotel was great. What a shame it's gone downhill.
Right...to be fair to the place it used to be a unique venue in the 70s and 80s and a google of its history will provide some degree of conparison to its halcyon days. Sadly it has not kept pace with modern standards or customer needs and as such needs a colossal amount of money investing in it to bring it up to its former glory.
An icon of the sea front thats seen better days sadly.
What shocks me about this place is just how grubby it all is. I expected the rooms to be dated and tatty but there’s no excuse for dirty paintwork, carpets and internal glass. Thanks for the review.
Brittainia do it very cheap, This is what you get for its an in and out hotel.
2 day stays cheap
I went to a con at the Norbrek Castle. Apart from the fact we drank the Castle Dry it was great. That was 20 years ago. Don’t know what’s happened since then. Such a shame. 😂
Was it the buffy conference
Those beds have not been changed , when you use a fresh clean sheet there should always be a long crease down the middle, after sleeping on it, this crease disappears
Yes,I liked your presentation so much that I’ve subscribed!👍🏻
I stayed here many many years ago, and it’s so sad to see it like this. As you’ve already mentioned it must have been grand years ago, and it definitely was. Such a shame.
Again a Brittainia. Its what you expect for what you pay.
The worst hotel in their group is in Coventry try that one.
That bathroom radiator.....how much urine as splashed on that to strip the paint!😢
Lovely Architecture, and your spot on how nice these hotels were and still could be
i stayed in feb 2022 and had no problems at all not as bad as people say you can tell they are doing it up just give them a chance
There's no excuse for not vacuuming the stairs etc. Minging for sure, would put me right off. Thanks for showing us around. Great video as always.
Its what you get for what you pay for,
I stayed here with my then girlfriend for two nights and in all honesty, it wasn’t that bad. It’s tired and tatty but the room was clean albeit a bit dated. It was really cheap so you pay for what you get I guess.
Bloody he'll I'm itching just watching this vlog you are a brave man .
Ha its not that bad i worked in Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam and lived with the villages.
Try sleeping in a lambing shed
It reminds me of when our family stayed in a smaller hotel up behind the tower. The carpets up the stairs hadn’t seen a vacuum for months. Our room was just as bad. Remember coming to the Norbreck for one of my husband’s functions with his bank? Thankfully, we stayed at another hotel and not here. As you say, it’s such a shame as this could be a lovely hotel if someone put some money into it. Thanks for showing us around, Paul, but I’ll give this one a miss in the future!!
I stayed here in 2012 for a convention and really enjoyed the hotel and would definitely go back there again, at the end of the day your only there to put your head down to sleep as you are going to be exploring Blackpool, and that price is reasonable for Norbreck as your not paying for the Ritz Hotel
I stayed years ago. I love old buildings and it was about 21 a night out of season. Yes I would go back as I love to explore old hotels.
I stayed at Norbreck Castle Sunday to Friday and the hotel has vastly improved and food and rooms have very much improved. And that was end of Sept 2023. . Good on Norbreck to get these things done 😊
Blackpool used to be a mecca for dancing ballrom dances. With full dance bands.
It was always held in high esteem as a hotel way back when.
I must of hit lucky as we had a twin room august 25th and could not fault it at all maybe only complaint was telly was small haha
In it’s day as you say something special years ago 😮Looking a bit grubby but you can only imagine how good it was in the past 😊
I stayed with my other half in June, this hotel is a sh*thole. Our room stunk of sewerage and the bed was awful. Along with the room being cleaned very slap dash! I wouldn’t stay there again if somebody paid me! So good luck if you stay here again (just make sure you have decent life insurance) 🤢
Britannia are the worlds worst hotel chain for a reason (they don’t like parting with their dosh to clean).
I have stayed in hundreds of hotels all over the UK, and the Norbreck Castle was the worst. My room had a wet towel on the floor, the windows were disgusting, torn curtain linings and a leaky rusty radiator, The room door had a hole that had a square of plywood nailed over it, when I climbed the stairs, there was a strong smell of sewage. I was there for a conference many years ago, let me say, there has been a huge improvement with the place with what you have shown us. Still would never go back there.
Stayed there three times and had no problems.
Haha lol stayed for 2 weeks plus please look beyond, the cleaners are amazing food you could not fault apart from oh so muchbeef 😅. Hotel staff beyond complaint brilliant. We did what was recommended on web site look beyond. My best thanks to all the staff at the norbreck for my making myfriend and is stay amazing .
To be honest not all bad ,just tied and unloved, but a other brittania take over ,thanks Paul great blog 👍
Hey steve
@kkrispy2009P hi kkrispy how you doing ,been a while
Enjoyed the video I have subscribed so I can watch more of your content. A lot of these large Hotels are the same we know the up keep is very expensive but for someone to go round with a vacuum cleaner is not rocket science and it would make a better first impressions.
Thanks for watching!
I dont know why but i thought it would be better than that. Ive seen other UA-camrs and its looked ok. Thank god i saw this as it was pretty poor stuff. Good vlog as ever.
First visited this hotel for a linedancing event many years ago on a half board basis. Great dance floors, but the rest of the hotel was very tired even then,food mediocre. Room refurbishments have happened over the years, but it is such a huge hotel, it is non stop. But carried out cheaply, using cheap materials, so not long lasting. Not what I would want for a holiday, but it suits my purpose for a linedance weekend. It is very obviously a budget hotel. But the owner is a millionaire I believe living in Jersey. Obviously paying off.
I stay there every January for a big dance event. The rooms are hit and miss, some have been awful, most were OK. It's a budget hotel, you get what you pay for.
omg the toliet radiator
Can't believe he never mentioned that
I stayed there about 25 years ago. It still is as unkempt now as it was then. It's such a shame, if only they kept it clean. I don't think I'd be staying there anytime soon. Would be good if you did another review after the refurbishment to see what they have actually done to the place and if it is and cleaner.
Hi Paul,
LOVE your channel!!
That’s all I want to say.
🙏❤️.x
I've stayed at Norbreck many times, and found it ok with great staff. Often stay at the other end of the hotel and found the rooms to be ok. I'm due back in October this year (2023) for an event. Yes the Ballroom ect are very much still used. It's a big hotel and are short staffed, Also go out of main season me. I've read some of the reviews on Trip Advisor and a lot are so fake and complain about minor things. Copper Jacks is a big bar inside and well worth a visit. Yes I like staying at Norbreck. I also find the main problem with the hotel isn't so much the hotel or staff, it's sadly other guest's who treat the place badly.
😆😆😆😆
I stayed at this hotel in the early 70s and it was very grand. Unfortunately having seen your channel today, I have to say it is a shame to see how the hotel has been neglected. Having stayed in hotels as part of my job (and had to pay for the privilege) I would not want to stay there again, no matter how much or how little it costs. There is no excuse for the lack of cleanliness. Great channel by the way.
Glad you like the channel
Shocking state Hotel staff should be a shame about the state of the hotel.
You can't blame the staff, as Paul clearly says, the staff were exceptional. Management are responsible, as in all Britannia Hotels
Hi Paul..love watching your videos and travels. I did find myself laughing at your misfortunes. But on a serious note...it is such a shame to see something so grand be neglected like that. The maintenance costs must be so high and the more neglect the costlier to fix. I think its gone beyond that level of investment Brittania would make. Saying that there is no excuse not to hoover communal areas. The cleaners probably get told you have an hour to do so many rooms so they only probably have time to change beds and clean bathroom . Enjoyed the review though. 😂
Attended a Star Trek Convention there in the 70’s. Bloody brilliant
Stayed at the Norbreck and to be honest i did not really scrutinise the room that much so cannot comment on that, had a walk through the rest of the hotel which is vast certainly needed some work doing in parts , booked a breakfast and i was not impressed with the scrum at breakfast omg talk about a free for all.......I loved the great big car parking space which was free at my time when i stayed not sure it is now.....To be fair to the ladies or men who clean the rooms they are given quite a lot of rooms to clean in a short space of time that they cannot give the rooms a thorough clean plus not forgetting the corridors etc., All in all i would stay there again just not have breakfast .
I agree totally with you but as you state they have a lot of rooms to clean which means they have a lot of clientele , so therefore they should employee the correct amount of staff to ensure they give a good service, obviously you would agree they must be cutting corners which is not fair on the cleaning staff.
Sounds like you need earplugs. I recommend the silicon ones: foam ones don't blot out enough noise.
Hi Paul I stay there once few years ago and it was filthy mate too be honest but years ago it wasn't like that believe me it was a good clean hotel but for some reason there have let it go too ruin 💯🤗
Not sure it was spelt wrong, mate. Play on words, maybe? Did seem pretty faulty to me, and Blackpool's gotta tower😁!
Beautiful sunset though🌅.
Hi Paul, just subscribed to the channel. Enjoying the channel
Welcome onboard
I never trust mugs, they are often wiped with a bath towel...
I think that that is still technically in Blackpool and it's Cleveys where you depart the Blackpool Council area although Cleveys and Fleetwood are joined up to Blackpool a bit like Bootle and Liverpool.
I've stayed here a couple of months ago, not a good hotel since britannia took over. Staff were very helpful and great
Stayed at the Norbeck Hotel a couple of years ago. We were unable to book a breakfast because they said there was no availability. The weekend that we stayed in October it was raining quite heavily and they had to put buckets around to catch the water that was leaking in. Our room was not very clean. The drawers were dusty and also had biscuit crumbs inside.
It was cold and damp. l would not stay there again
The Silver Sands is a pure dive it's stinks and it's dirty threadbare carpets throughout the hotel, stayed there for three days never again! curdled milks stains on carpets dirty drinking glasses dirty cutlery in the dining room, I refused to eat any of the meals including breakfast ate out instead had to use Febreze in the room to remove the smells of smokers also pillows smelly on the bed made me feel sick, thick dust on the public phone downstairs dodgy lift people trying my room door handle.
I had enough! glad to be back home.
Definitely stay at those prices
Worked in Fleetwood few years back and had the pleasure of staying at the North Euston for 8 weeks. Most other site workers were staying at this Norbreck Castle place, and my god the horror stories i heard.
Look forward to this review i bet it is a shocking hotel😮
I stayed there times over a number of years whilst was taking part in a car rally which used the hotel as its base. The staff were great. The hotel, not quite so much.
I call it Stalag Norbreck. You don't so much check out, as tie the bedsheets together and escape out the nearest window.
The Britannia website said it had 'period charm.'
- I said, "Yes it has, if the period you're thinking of is Colditz Castle, circa 1939 - 1945."
They used to have post cards with a photo of the hotel on them. I sent one back to the hotel once which simply said, 'Glad I'm not there.'
Apparently a blown double glazing unit half full of salt water counts as a 'sea view.'
Not only is the Norbreck shite, it's not cheap.
- I have to say the main bar/dining area seems to have had a lick of paint and all new furniture since last time I was there. Can you believe it actually used to be worse than it is now?
Looks like we got screwed over on the rallies too. We were there early February time, so cold, wet & horrible, and a room was about £180 for two nights. That was ten years ago.
Last time I was at the Norbreck, I made extensive use of the bar, but ended up sleeping in the back of a van in the car park, rather than book a room. The van was cleaner, warmer and quieter than being inside the hotel.
The Ballroom is beautiful can remember dancing there
I've been there numerous times over a period of several years to take part in a trade show. My last visit was 12 years ago and it hasn't changed a bit since then. I never stayed there, always preferring a b&b 3 or 4 doors to the South of the hotel based solely on the lack of cleanliness of the areas of the hotel we passed through and the food and drinks bought at the bar/coffee shop during the shows.
Obviously a large, grand hotel at one time it has been in decline for decades - and although "shabby but chic" seems to be "a thing" for that hotel group, I don't remember it as being one of theirs at that time. I watched this video hoping to see improvements since I saw it and it's a real shame there weren't any. Very sad.
Hiya. Been really loving binge-watching your videos! This state of this hotel is shocking. Personally I wouldn't mind the threadbare carpet and worn out stuff if it was actually clean. Things wear, which is inevitable. It's how clean they are that makes the difference.
I totally agree!
This hotel is huge.Like The Shining film set. Its a cesspit.Could be used as a Brothel.Freezing, Filthy, Damp. Your lucky your lungs don't pack in in this dump.
Me and our lass stayed there a couple of years ago with the national, was ok but what did we expect.for price
It did look tired - but then again, so do most of the larger hotels in Blackpool.
The lack of vacuuming on carpeted areas was appalling. However, bit of an obsession with skirting boards going on there mate!
I've seen another Brittannia Hotel rated on UA-cam - think it was in Folkestone, Kent. Jeeeeezus...now that was an absolute karsy.
Personally, 'she who must be obeyed' and myself now prefer renting a motorhome and taking camping holidays. You can take your own linen and keep it clean during hire, to your own personal standards. Plus you arent stuck in one place - if ever the neighbours (or local natives) get rowdy.
I've stayed here a couple of times. This was in the 90's and it looks better now than it did then. In one section the rooms didn't have doors, just plywood with a number painted on. A lift you had to use a winding pull to get from one floor to another. Floors that had holes in, so you had to jump over these and tri not yo fall over. And, yes cobwebs everywhere and dirt. Never again would I stay there. Awful and a shame since it could be so gorgeous if maintained to a high standard. ☹️☹️
I worked there middle 70s in the kitchen it was a great hotel
Its a shame when it was built it would have been such a nice hotel. like everything now try and run it on a budget 😢
We stayed last year you fell lucky we left after no sleep as the beds was filthy curtains hanging off the rails mould on the towels filthy damaged bathroom was like a halfway house we managed to get a refund and book other accommodation as for any sort of complaints to Britannia hotels you would be wasting your time they do not want to know they have done a few bits but not enough needs closing down. The response from the manager that didn’t want to tell me her name or if she was the manager when asked have you seen the state of your rooms her response was I know what our rooms are like. Never again for us we check all hotels now to be sure they are not Britannia great vlogs btw
You should try another charming Britannia hotel, the Coventry Hill Hotel. The locals refer to it as “Chernobyl”.
Arrived 10pm and the stay was so bad that I left before 6am.
The room was summed up by the manky bathroom scales in the corner!!
What a shame that a lovely hotel, when it first opened, have been left go into such decline. I was surprised to see limescale in the kettle because in comparison to London and the South East Blackpool is a soft water area. This is the 2nd of your videos I have seen. Very good reviews. Must watch more xxx
Glad you enjoyed them
Can’t wait to see your review Paul on this hotel 🙂👍🏻
Absolutely filthy, you are a very brave man!
Amazing review Paul, I love your channel, the videos are excellent, all the best buddy 🙂👍🏻
Thank you
You're Welcome Paul 🙂👍🏻
Not a bad place . I think it depends what wing you stay in
I called in the Norbreck years ago for a coffee, but walked back out again as it was minging. Looks like there has been some painting and decorating going on, but the hotel requires more than that. Could once again be a lovely hotel, but really requires millions spending on it. When doing these reviews, you ought to pull off the bottom sheet and examine the mattress itself and also look to see how clean it is under the bed. I've lived in an apartment on the prom at Blackpool and it's difficult to keep the windows clean outside. Can be clean one day, and the next day they can be as dirty again and look like they've not been cleaned for ages.
What's up with the radiator about 10:15 minutes into the video. Doesn't look nice.
Can't fault them for the broken bed issue
by the time you get to an acceptable room it may be morning. hehe
i am waiting for you to be given a room that some one is already in.
the cleaning may be due to not enough staff to clean such a big place. and not correctly being looked after.
the place seems to be constant being repaired
Gave up staying in hotels some time ago, lack of respect from other guests eg out of control children, now we rent a cottage, much more stress free, always found them clean. Always enjoy your videos..
Been there before yes it is run down needs alot of work on it but if you just want a bed yes I would stay again it is abit far out from the centre of Blackpool but there is trams and taxi's the hotel has amazing rooms where they do wedding and they have the pool tournament held there 👍
I’ve been to the Norbreck Castle, probably three times and it always reminds me of something out of horror movie. The place is dirty. Also the pub always made me laugh because when it rained the roof always late the only way this also could be better is to knock it down, it’s a shame because it looks lovely building outside😑
1st thing fire door left open, filthy window,.cobwebs in the bathroom, piss marks on the bathroom radiator, filthy carpets in the hallways, this aint no castle its a dungeon yuchhh! why arent hotel inspectors condemning all brittania hotels, they are a disgrace.
Perhaps the arcade is shut because the kids mess about with them and I dont expect anybody is supervising them. Thise carpets are minging but possibly the cleaners just don't have time to clean or lack of staff, probably minimum wage and not a very nice job sometimes cleaning rooms people have left in a state.
The first time I stayed there about 14 years ago, the room wasn't too bad. It is a very basic single room. The second time, I was offered three different disgusting mouldy room. Full of black mould.
It makes me laugh how these people that review these hotels check stuff like skirting boards and small details. I am a cleaner and I would love to go into their houses and check things if perfect, I guarantee it wouldn’t be perfect
Well said
But that's your own muck , not other peoples' muck .
I agree with your point about the obsession over skirting boards.
However, on balance, the carpeting (particularly on the stairs) was a disgrace. Those carpets clearly hadn't been hoovered for weeks.
People don't generally open their homes to paying customers
No excuse for the hotel and it's level of cleanliness
I agree The bed and bathroom were spotless He has paid under £23 for one night He has just said he knows Blackpool and he can pay less that that including breakfast which place did he stay on for that He hasn't a clue regarding the footfall of Norbreck castle What an annoying man he is With his co condecending voice
Great video subscribed cheers 🍻🍻🍻🍻
Thanks for subbing
It’s a sham britania got the norbeck used to be a fantastic hotel. Got married at the norbeck had a fantastic time. If you just using it as a base and out and about then it’s fine. If you want a hotel where you can stay at the hotel and relax it’s not for you.
3rd time lucky! Lol 😂 omg 😳 why can’t they employ more staff to clean the hotel and rooms I would ask for my money back!
Stopped at the Norbreck in the late 80's, it was dirtier then, looked like someone had punched the door as a large hole was on the inside panel. Our stay coincided with a western weekend, loads of blokes dressed as cowboy's having a shoot out competition (Quickest on the draw). This was followed by a Marie Osmond impersonator singing paper roses at around 3am.
The following day we heard a number of our group had upset stomachs (must have been the sea air). Funny enough, we've never been back.
No have not stayed there, but i believe the young farmers do when they take over blackpool for a weekend !! They have been banned from several
Its to dirty for me but would have loved to have stayed when its in there prime, some lovely old features, regarding the cleaners, guessing they dont have enough allocated time for area to area rooms etc.
stayed there only one time, a dump, the food was so bad ,so ate out even tho food was in the price.the bar was open when i was there plus the amusments was open, think most of the games was working but would not stay there a gain , my stay was in 2019
I stayed a few months bk.stayed at the bottom room 43 it was clean but got woke up every morning form the workmen not a problem for me room clean no idea about breakfast always went out.i stayed for 2 days would I stay again yep I I would
Thanks for sharing
I been in thier I thought it wasn't bad the meals was OK