ABode Chester
Grosvenor Road, overlooking the racecourse · Hotel
View on Google MapsPhoto: ABode Chester
A contemporary four-star on Grosvenor Road just outside the walls, with racecourse views and a fifth-floor brasserie and bar.
Photos
Photos via Google
About ABode Chester
ABode Chester sits on Grosvenor Road, immediately outside the city walls on the racecourse side, a five-minute walk from the central cross and about the same from the river. It is a modern building rather than a conversion, which gives it two advantages over most Chester hotels: consistent room sizes with proper soundproofing and air conditioning, and upper floors with genuine views across the Roodee to the Welsh hills.
Bedrooms are contemporary and individually designed, with large beds, walk-in showers and, in the better categories, floor-to-ceiling glass facing the course. Rooms on the racecourse side are the ones to ask for; those facing inwards are quieter but plainer. The hotel is part of the Andrew Brownsword group, and the standard of housekeeping and maintenance reflects that.
Brasserie ABode runs from breakfast through to dinner, and the fifth-floor bar is the real find – one of the few places in Chester where you can drink with a view over the city and the river rather than a street. Race days transform the hotel completely, with the terrace and upper floors overlooking the finish, and rates rise accordingly.
This is the most straightforward choice for travellers who want a reliable four-star with modern facilities and a central position, and it works well for business visitors and for couples on a first visit to the city. The station is a short taxi ride or a twenty-minute walk. There is no hotel car park, though parking is available nearby at the Little Roodee and Grosvenor car parks, and the hotel can advise on rates.
What guests say
Seems like they know people will always stay there as they're right next to the racecourse, so why bother doing more than they have to. The actual staff at the hotel were lovely and helpful; my criticism is much more at whoever is running it. No plug sockets near the beds which is weird, paid for continental breakfast but instead of the standard type you expect at most hotels, it was a laughable small selection, so would recommend you avoid paying for that and just order a cooked breakfast. Certainly wasn't just us thinking this as we could hear someone tell the staff at breakfast how the hotel has really gone downhill.
a month ago · via Google
Lovely tapas in the brasserie tonight served by the joyfully cheerful Tori. Views, service, background music and food wonderful. We were here for our 27th wedding anniversary and received a glass of Prosecco on the house. Would recommend.
a month ago · via Google
The Hotel room was fabulous but we had upgraded. The staff are lovely (but not enough of them). Location couldn't be better. Now the downside, we weren't informed of parking charges until after we'd booked (£20 per night). Breakfast is included but it's a minimal continental (no meats/cheeses) & took absolutely ages to arrive. You CAN pay for a full english breakfast (priced per item). You are expected to pay if you order additional coffee/tea after the initial breakfast drinks. It is table service, not a running buffet as with most hotels. Think ABode should increase room charges slightly & include the parking & a cooked breakfast maybe? There was no information in the room like places of interest, also we didn't know about the £35 deal until it was too late. We did have a wonderful time though.
4 months ago · via Google
Location is great and really convenient for Chester but the hotel is quite run down and the room was dirty, with staining on the curtains that’s obviously been there a long time and hairs in the shower. Just feels run down and that no one really cares, the chair on the balcony is an example of this not fitting properly. For the price the quality is not acceptable. The breakfast is crazy expensive - I was with two colleagues and paid for their breakfast - it cost £83 for us three for breakfast - I questioned this as they state it’s £20 per head which is crazy expensive for what you get but was told it’s right. I’d recommend finding somewhere else for breakfast as it wasn’t even that good. The continental breakfast you have to order too so you end up waiting along time for breakfast.
a month ago · via Google
Guests consistently praise this hotel for its friendly and helpful staff, excellent bathroom facilities, good air conditioning, convenient underground parking, delicious restaurant food, and great views of the racecourse. These positive aspects contribute to a highly satisfactory experience for visitors.
Some reviews mention the breakfast service can be chaotic.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- Grosvenor Road, Chester, CH1 2DJ Get directions
- Property type
- Hotel
- Location
- Grosvenor Road, overlooking the racecourse
- Star rating
- 4 star
- Guest score
- 8.3 / 10 (3,500 reviews)
- Prices from
- £99 per night
- Good for children
- Yes
- Destination
- Chester