New subscriber here, followed you via your Bridlington video, just been there today in the same spots, wasa lovely day and I have to say its not a bad little place to go walking. The sun was out and its nice enough to stop and chat with a stranger or two
I stayed here many many years ago and the staff & stay was really good. They provided us with a cot & extra clean bedding. I cannot believe how down hill it's really got.
Feels like such a shame when you see hotels that were clearly gorgeous in it's younger years but slacked on maintenance and boom, in need of a whole renovation.
Agree. Felt the same after the video on The Grand (Scarborough). I guess world moved on and only the most desires of UK resorts (if any) can justify the upkeep of such a place?
Biggest concern I would have in staying in this hotel would be the lack of fire exits, proper fire doors, and dead end corridors . . . a miracle this hotel hasn't had a major fire.
I’ve stayed here as an agency Nurse when working at A&E in Blackpool for a month. I stayed in the better part as I’d explained to the staff why I was there. The staff on reception were great. I paid for a single room but I got a double with sea views. I always took my own bottom sheets x2 and single duvet, pillow and slept on top of the bed! My own towels and travel kettle, cup spoon tea bags and milk. My uniforms were ironed at home so everything in my big suitcase. There’s a nice cafe owned by a Christian family a couple of miles from the hospital. I’d eat there each morning, sleep , shower go to work. The M&S in Blackpool hospital had fruit and food which I’d buy and eat on break at work. I only stayed for a couple of weeks until a nurse colleague offered me a room at her house. But the Norbreck was ok. Clean and where I was, refurbished. During the summer when I was working, the people were diamonds in the rough. Very pleasant, kind and helping me with my bags. I’ve never had such respect as a Registered Nurse as I did at the Norbreck. The offers of help, the kind staff who made my stay as comfortable as possible, the polish cleaners who took pride in their work for little to no thanks for it. All I have are nice memories for which could have been a bad experience. So thank you Norbreck staff as people do take holidays there and travelling Nurses who work in hospitals in Blackpool, Preston, Lancaster etc use Blackpool as a base. Your video brought back memories of 2018!
I've worked in hotels for nearly 20 years, so seen a few in that time. Ones like the Grand in Scarborough are worth saving from a historical/architectural point of view, but many others I think should either be converted into apartments or demolished. Traditional tourism in UK seaside towns has been diminishing for decades and some of these old hotels are just too big to manage/maintain. I've worked in Jersey, Channel Islands for the last 5 years, which is generally very upmarket. Even there, a lot of hotels have been closing down or being converted in the last two years. Sign of the times! Anyway, very much enjoying your videos. Only came across them last night. The Gibraltar one was fantastic! I went there years ago, what a place!
Stayed in here myself multiple times. Significant difference from the first to the last. Our room last January was so cold we had to call my grandfather who lives in Thornton to bring us sleeping bags and the shower collapsed on my mother and left her with a gash and many bruises. It is a shame as the staff are lovely, accommodating and quite clearly are struggling to do their best with few facilities. It’s a shame.
These grand hotels are no longer fit for purpose. I always think that it would be a good idea to mothball a part of these hotels and block it off to guests. That way you only have to concentrate on the parts that are open so it's much more manageable for the staff. The mothballed parts can then progressively get renovated, when time and money allows, into such things like a music venue, a wedding venue that can be separated from the rest of the hotel, or more rooms if/when the hotel starts to gather a better reputation. But to leave the whole thing open is evidentially unmanageable.
I was thinking that when looking at the Grand in Scarborough, then I thought about life before TV and realised it is actually people that aren't fit for purpose and the building is fine. I wonder how a 'golden age of travel' hotel, where you would be expected to do without your gadgets and attend afternoon events in the event spaces, dress for dinner etc would go down as a novelty holiday?
I live not far away and pass this place most days. Whilst in theory, a good idea, the fact is that, believe it or not, it very often is completely full. National Holidays alone can have anything from four to eight 53 seater coaches outside some weeks and weekends. So do the maths there for example. So, as I say, in theory an excellent idea, but it would be difficult to mothball areas when they are quite often desperately needed.
Brittania own two other large hotels to the south of Norbreck. They’re both budget hotels, but not quite as bad as the Norbreck. I think they’re just happy to keep this one as a super budget hotel. The place gets absolutely rammed, so it’s working for them.
Such a shame that so many hotels are suffering! The Norbreck was originally a large country house in the 1860s. Thanks for visiting and letting us see inside!
I stayed here with a friend a few years back and was appalled. People can say things like 'For £30/£40 a night what do you expect?' But I've stayed at private B&Bs in Blackpool for around the same and their places were spotless. Dated/old fashioned decor, furnishings, etc don't bother me at all, but there's no need for such a basic lack of cleanliness or allowing things to decay to the point where they become a hazard. I'd be embarrassed to work at this hotel!
I agree in general but the problem is, to maintain a building that size to a high standard costs a huge amount of money, and the money required is not going to be raised by selling rooms on the cheap. Problem is, if they charge the prices necessary for decent maintenance, they won't get enough customers, since they would be outpriced by cheap package holidays to the Med. A bit of an unsolvable problem caused by the fact that times have changed.
I agree. I would prefer to pay a little more and at least get a clean room, comfy bed etc. I think that's a basic right. We booked a two night stay at a cheap hotel in Nice , France but it said it had an en suite bathroom and Aircon. When we arrived the lift was out of order, there was no ensuite bathroom, no Aircon and the bedroom though clean looked like a room they take you when you are kidnapped, bed, set of drawers with a mirror propped on them. We spoke to the manager , showed them the paper booking paper and said what do we expect for the price, we said what it says here. He refunded us and we got another hotel around the corner for £20 a night more that was as advertised. It's such a shame. It does look like with Norbreck they are slowly trying to update it and being a 1950/60's hotel on the seafront it's not going to take the 9 months of British winter that well.
I don’t mated dated decor as long as it’s clean. I’ve stayed in B&Bs that are like a 1970s time warp but at least they’re were clean. But when they’re dirty that’s where I draw the line.
Stayed there as a child in the late 60's a couple of times with my parents. I think it was called the Norbreck Hydro back then and it was the grandest hotel in Blackpool. Such a shame to see it's demise.
Hi Tim, It was built as a manor house in 1869, this is why it is so impressive in many parts. The last time i stayed there was around 1990, it was filthy then. You could just imagine the original inhabitants looks on their faces seeing it now.
I stayed here with my parents and family in 1990 and 1991. It was a palace! 12 foot snooker table, table tennis and resident artist of whom I still have his paintings. It was the best hotel in Blackpool I'm sure at the time. Only negative to me was it's distance from the Pleasure Beach! We used to stay in The Mayville, St. Chads, The Queens, The Viking, all great places and The Norbreck was a class above at the time. So sad to see the decline.
Very interesting video Tim. Part of the problem is that the hotel is so big it would take an army of cleaners and maintenance people to keep it clean and maintained all year round and that just isn’t viable. It must have been a wonderful place back in it’s heyday. Such a shame 🙂
I was thinking the same they need plenty of staff and these days hotels are struggling to get staff, i have stayed there a few years ago i did not find it too bad, apart from the scramble at breakfast in the dining room which really was a free for all...The entertainment was great in the evening cannot fault that, it looks a very impressive hotel from the outside.
I think the problem is people not keeping on top of it. If you're charging good money for a room you can employ the people to do it and maintain the place, the more you drop your prices, the less you can afford to do and the hotel just falls in to disrepair, like this one has. Once you're at £25 a night it's very difficult to invest money and make it a more upmarket place.
@@technicalscience and the sad fact is that in an era of cheap flights it's hard for seaside towns in northern England to compete with warmer climates like Spain and south France (or even the south coast of England).
@@technicalscience They would have been forced to drop the prices to £25 a night due to a lack of bookings when the prices were higher. I've stayed in a b&b in Blackpool for £10 a night.
Blackpool and Skeggy (Skegness) are two of the biggest examples of the disrepair and disuse British seaside towns got when cheap flights to continental Europe started to happen in the 70s and 80s. And honestly, with the utter lack of care and respect now shown I can’t blame people going abroad
There was no fall in the fortunes of British resorts after cheap flights came. Skegness has very massive tourism for a small town in a rural area - higher than it's ever been, and, as the old slogan goes, about Blackpool: More holiday beds than Portugal, more visitors than Greece. You've picked on Blackpool and Skegness for no other reason than you, and many others, dislike them. And it's tiresome.
My apartment has the same bathroom shower pipe sounds in my bedroom. I can hear when someone above me uses the shower and the pipes get activated. I’ve gotten use to it but It can happen anytime and sometimes it scares the poo right out of me 😂😂
Your videos are so informative, and unbiased. I love the effort you put into them. As a child holidaying in Blackpool I always wanted to stay here but never did, probably too dear back then lol.
I totally love your videos. Would be great if while driving/walking up you gave us a little history of the building. Built in, built by, what type of people stayed there in its hay day, perhaps the industry of the town had been a hugely affluent city (like the Liverpool one) but as the industries closed the town declined and there wasn’t such need for such a grand hotel. I know its not a history show but would be really good to have some context as to why each hotel has had to evolve from clearly something so grand to having arcade machines in the lobby. But again thank you for these really fabulous videos.
Good video Tim. I remember when they constructed the conservatory at the front and it was very impressive at the time, which I think was about 1996. I was working with a company there that did some of the finishing touches.
Great video. I went to this hotel a few years back, & to be honest I still have nightmares about it, the room hadn't been cleaned since the Victorian times & the window (single glazed) wouldn't shut properly & it was a proper Bpl gale outside we reported it but nothing was done, it's far to big & grand. I totally avoid Brittannia Hotels.
Stayed here on a coach trip about four years ago - my room was in the older part of the building where the reception is located. The place is enormous, around 500 rooms, I believe, and desperately in need of investment. My own experience of it was reasonable. The room was clean, and I don't envy the job the cleaning staff must have trying to keep on top of it. The food was pretty good, and I can't fault that. It must've been so grand decades ago! Read somewhere that the government requisitioned the hotel and shipped a load of civil servants here from London during the war, due to the sheer size of the place being able to accommodate them.
A family member of mine worked here for many years.. some of the rooms she had to clean was disgusting. And she only had 10 mins to clean each one, didn't matter if she was cleaning sick, or other bodily fluids. The room had to be clean within 10 mins and beds made. Sometimes she would go into the bathroom and someone had Vomited up the wall, or human waste all in the toliet and up the walls. Ugh
Yeah, I must admit some people don't help matters by not reporting that they broke something or they messed the bed after drinking too much instead they just leave and let others find it much like the lazy sod who couldn't keep hold of that crisp packet.
You make a good point. I took to cleaning rooms for a chain hotel at a service station between jobs and we were allowed just 15 mins per room to do everything from changing the bedding to cleaning the bathroom, wiping down all surfaces, changing towels, replenishing comp trays, putting stuff away, it was exhausting. And you had to take shortcuts. If a towel looked like it hadn’t been used, you left it. You swilled out mugs under the tap to save time changing them out. And no one had time to make sure they used the right colour cloth for the toilet and sink. It’s a grim job with crap pay, and no one ever says thank you.
Great to watch this Tim. Stayed here in the 80's. Wasn't great then! Remember it being huge and like something out of a scary film. On another note had a blast in Blackpool! Taking the tram into town, seeing the lights. Happy memories...
That's a great review of the Norbreck Castle. I stayed back in 2016 and quite frankly just made the best out of it. The 1st room we were given was in a dire state and we even found blood spots in the tiles in the bathroom. But... it was cheap! It looks like they've been improving things since our stay as the communal areas look a lot better than they did when we stayed.
@@WalkWithMeTim My thoughts exactly.... that's why we asked for another room! They obliged and moved us to a much larger room.... but in that room the carpet was crunchy... so glad I took slippers. What is it with Britannia and Best Western Hotel groups... why do they have to seemingly run hotels into the ground?
I stayed in this hotel a lot of times towards the end of my grandparents lives in the early to mid 90s, it was going downhill badly then as they were spending far too much money trying to compete with a couple of other hotels in the town for the few senior couples that still saw Blackpool as a couples getaway location with everything in house and seemingly trying to avoid families and the weekend drinking parties. Indeed the conservatory which is now where the entertainment was was the great investment back then for all the old folks to sit and while away the day drinking tea in, with the pool and rooms really suffering from lack of upkeep. They seemed to realise their mistake sometime in the 00s just as the 'convention' scene was kicking off and switched the ballroom over to more of a venue that was rented out. It actually looks quite a bit nicer than it did at the turn of the century, but the lack of exterior upkeep on half the building means it should have long been torn down.
Just had a quick look up and the hotel originally started live as a private house in 1869 and then in 1912 turned into Norbreck Hydro which expanded into what we have today in around 1939. So yes the building is old and will suffer with damp if it’s not had major renovations to the structure of the building. The part you said looked nicer must have been either had some major renovation work carried out or it was a new part as the stairs sounded like wood where the part you was in the stairs was solid so probably the older part of the hotel. But wow nice building it just need a lick of paint in places but all this cost money and as people stop spending we will see the low end of the hotel chains like these cutting down on maintenance. Which will sadly lead to most hotel of this age losing more appeal to the public as they get more dilapidated. It’s how some of these great architectural looking buildings end up abandoned. And great vid again I’m finding these interesting just so I can see around some of these old hotels and buildings. And what state some of these places are like. I can’t say the name but used to work for a company that also used one of the hotels you featured for its quest. Bad I wouldn’t have stayed there and if I had chance go over old customer complaint letters again I would side with them. And me drivers.
The crisp packet might have been left to see if its been cleaned, i used to clean offices and the staff would plant things to make sure we were cleaning correctly x
I'll never understand how the basics like simply hoovering a carpet are ignored. Brittannia Hotels should be ashamed. I'll never understand how they are able to run a beautiful building like this into the ground, when it should be a shining light. Very sad. Oh and whoever chose that carpet needs help! 🤣
They could spend millions renovating it and hiring more staff, but travel and holiday culture has changed so much that they'd never get enough customers to pay for it, so yeah it's a money pit that's almost literally being held together by duct tape.
They don't have enough staff to keep on top of the cleaning needed for a building that size, and they can't afford to hire more staff without putting the prices up, which will drive people elsewhere.
Hiya Tim! I did warn you when you did the Scarborough vlog about this hotel! It’s popular due to the amount of entertainment that goes on there. They do loads of Line Dancing functions.Stayed there myself a few times for that reason back in the late 90s and hated every minute! It looks impressive from the outside but that’s where it ends. Glad you have given it an honest review 👍🏻
I stayed here last year after my friend booked without reading reviews. I stood in reception to watch the complainers, it was very entertaining. 42 cars had their catalytic converters stolen from the car park overnight, an elderly couple were threatened by other guests, the drawers fell apart when I tried to open them. Mine is one of the terrible reviews. Breakfast wasn’t bad.
Theft In Blackpool is mad! Last time I went to Blackpool, they stole my train ticket home and I feared I would never escape the place. Too many druggies were housed in Blackpool hotels as part of the housing issue.
You should try that gay hotel - they dont have locks on some of the doors - but leave the light on when you go to sleep if your a bit fussy - if you get my meaning
Here's johnny! Reminds me of an old film I watched :). I do enjoy these reviews and it is a shame to see these places as they are. I particularly liked the review of Bream Sands as we stayed there a few years ago - the staff were really nice though!
Went to do a site visit here about 6years ago for a potential conference where everyone would have stayed. Immediately our company said no we can’t bring delegates here. We didn’t stay, just looked at some rooms. I think our venue finder suggested it because it’s so big and was well in budget
Such a shame these grand, beautiful landmarks are in such disrepair. Stateside we have loads of run down motels, but they are by the large on old highways built 20s-60s before the interstates made their roads obsolete.
The problem is, who else would run it? Many of these hotels would be boarded up by now and left to rot a lot quicker. Some of the hotels are listed buildings, so it's not just about land.
They do seem to be investing in renovations in these places but it takes time and money. Britannia doesn't itself run then into the ground....they buy them cheao because they alreaady are.
I used to work here decades ago. It was never aimed at being the finest hotel in Blackpool but it was far cleaner than it is these days. The catering team was one of the best in Blackpool and they spent a lot of money on kit.
I stayed in the Grand in Scarborough last week and loved it. Lovely room, mega quiet, fresh paint and new carpet everywhere I went in the hotel and a fab breccy. This place on the other hand really needs a load of love and investment and no way would I stay there. Such a shame as the potential for that hotel is immense. Come on Britannia, give this place the love and care it clearly deserves. Thanks for this Tim, you have definitely showed me WHERE NOT to stay in Blackpool.
Very profession opening to the video Tim! This is the kind of production I'd expect seeing on my TV. Thoroughly enjoyed the video, and look forward to many more.
I stayed at the Norbrek Castle Hotel a few times over the years, mainly when Star Trek conventions were held there. The first one was Frontiers 1990 (before the refit) this was before the refit. The rooms were in a terrible state with thread bare carpets and furniture that looked as if it came from a charity shop! The next time I stayed there was at the Sol III Trek convention 1995 (this was after the refit) and the hotel was barely scraping by! And the last time I stayed at the hotel was at the Wolf SG-4 Stargate convention in 2004. My stay there was marginally better but not by much. But my 1990 stay, the attendees at the convention called the hotel, Castle Norbretski and likened the place to a POW camp!!! It was that bad....
I remember staying at the Norbreck in 95 for the Sol 3 trek convention. I met Dwight schultz there. It was actually the nicest hotel I'd stayed in, not actually stayed in many and didn't really take much notice of tge state of it, but I did enjoy my stay in 95.
I found your video very interesting and it will make me look more closely at places I stay at in the future. It is a few years since I stayed at the Norbreck Castle Hotel (2017) and I have to say that I do remember the cleaning services were lacking quite severely. I stayed in the wing that you mentioned had been worked on. I have to say that the new decoration etc does look better now. Maybe the wing you stayed in will be brought up to the same standard.
Stayed here in 2019, we were in different wing, but the stairs were wonky, our room had been painted, but wasn't dry, and the food so inedible, we had pizza hut. When we walked along the corridor past the restaurant, everyone had a dominos. The best bit was making friends with a seagull. 😂😂😂
Great video, really enjoyed the tour. Britannia own 3 other hotels in Blackpool, with different prices per night - The Savoy (>£27), The Grand (>£37) & The Metrople (a whopping >£149!). Would be interesting to see comparison vids for all of them...
@@WalkWithMeTim Ive seen vids on the metrople and its worse than this for what they are charging ! The Metrople used to be owned by Butlins yrs ago and was one of the Premier hotels in blackpool not any more sadly!
Just an FYI. The metropole is where migrants are housed. DO NOT STAY THERE. Brittannia don't care, they're getting a wad of cash from government and guests are complaining of harassment and worse. Its a sh*t hole much like any Brittannia hotel. I worked at savoy for yrs, was great hotel yrs ago, now its ruined by Brittannia. Everything Brittannia touches turns to crap. Such a shame for a lot of these places. I still live in bpool and the changes over my life time are disappointing. Town seems to attract the dead heads n dossers even saw kids dealing today right outside Costa in front of grand theatre. We have no hope! 😔
Thanks Tim. Very' illuminating' :-). Looks like the Norbreck should shut down one half of the hotel for a complete refurbishment. Who knows? One day it might reach its former glory. Savoy next? Don't think that one is as bad though.
You are incredibly brave to stay in these places. The nose pick and pubic hair would have sent me out screaming. I hope your channel grows to expose these hotel chain slumlords. Aren’t there safety laws in place for hotels? Mold should shut a hotel down.
Hi I have heard that for yrs its a dump, you would think it would make sense to close of a chunk of it and concentrate on sorting the other bits then re open the closed part and fix that. Seems a shame to let it go like that. Keep up the good work thanx 👍
Great review 👏 it's really good you highlight these hotels then people can decide if it's the place for them . Congratulations on 50000 well deserved 👏
@@jackwatsonepic626 we use premier Inn you know what you are getting I don't mind old but can't do dirty. There are some great b and bs around the country and usually not big businesses getting the money
A friend of mine got married at the Norbreck Castle about 10 years ago. It included ceremony, meal for ~40 guests, then afterparty with hot buffet and DJ. All told, they paid £800
Another good one Tim, reminds me why I always pay the money to stay 5 star, but if someone's on a budget then the choice these days is of very limited quality...
I stayed there, we had to go to reception about 3 times because they'd stuck us in the same room as someone else, which we discovered when we opened the wardrobe and it was full of clothes and laptops.. They really struggled to change it.
It seems to be a running theme that the Britannia hotels have so much potential! I imagine they all face the same problem - I can only assume they are listed buildings which really restricts the maintenance work that can be undertaken. Anything that will compromise the original structure of the hotel will most likely be prohibited. Unfortunately it’ll take more than new carpets to bring this former beauty up to scratch.
Hi Tim,this just popped up, what a huge hotel, bet it was very grand back in the day, shame but the upkeep must cost an absolute fortune. Thanks for sharing this, wonder if it's same today or worse, 😊😊
This was a hotel that in the 1960’s and 1970’s was a very grand and special place. As a teenager I attended what were called “The butchers ball” (both sides of my family were butchers on Ashton In Makerfield) every February, with my parents and grand parents. I’ve been in Blackpool today, and to reminisce, I walked from the town centre in Blackpool to the Norbreck. (It was The Hydro in my day). I called into this hotel, and was so shocked at the state of the place, that I had tears. It used to be such a superb place. The Art Deco flourishes are still just about there underneath the layers of grime. That stupendous ballroom. The Solarium. The silver service that you got in the dining room. That swimming pool (where I learnt to swim) with the deco diving board, the gorgeous and tantalising cocktail bar. The place today was just dead and empty and filthy. I doubt it can be saved. They’ve even demolished the grand staircase that came down into the vast ballroom. I remember dancing on that huge floor.., The March of the Mods etc. It’s such a crying shame to see it so desolate and in a state of decay. I’ve always loved Blackpool… not the Golden Mile … but the acres of (now clean) beaches, the trams, the bracing walks and the views of the Cumbrian Fells. I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to visit the Norbreck Castle again. It belongs to a bygone era. I hope that those people who stayed there recently appreciate what the place USED to be like. Did anyone else attend those “Butchers Balls”? Andrew
Tim just an idea to add to these videos after you stay the night is to try the breakfasts out too we would also see an update from you on how you slept in the hotel 😊
@@WalkWithMeTim I certainly would, would just be nice to see the all round experience of the place and some of its service to customers is the mornings if any!!
It must cost an absolute fortune to maintain a hotel of that size and keep it clean. Without large numbers of guests all year round I can see how they would fall into disrepair, especially when managed by a penny-pinching company that seems to do the minimum needed to keep the properties running.
stayed in it last year, partly out of curiosity as I grew up in Blackpool and had never been in this big imposing place. I was put in the newer addition on the left which I saw being constructed I think in the late 70's. Just was not comfortable, checked out a day early, didn't sleep well, one night someone with a big mouth kept waking me up in the early hours talking to her friend in their room and played music. Some basic simple work could make a big improvement, picking litter, sweeping cigarette butts up, cleaning carpets in reception, some gardening, minor repairs. When busy it is like an old people's home, the majority of guests are elderly
Its funny that you mention that, I'm a student accountant so I decided to have a nose at their books. There are 3 shareholders of the company. They get over £120 million in income and after overheads and tax the profit they made was just over £10 million in 2020. between 3 people aint bad.
Hi Tim probably was lovely in its hayday. Couldn't stay there though. Well done for staying there . Thankyou for sharing with us. Love to you as always Tracey 💕 xxxx
There is a pattern, The Britannia Hotel Manchester, Sacha's Hotel, and the Norbreck Castle. And they did have Pontins in Southport at one stage. Also the Adelphi in Liverpool, all owned by Britannia Hotels
Love these hotel vlogs Tim . Think these Britannia hotels are far too big maybe if they were half the size and they spent money bringing the facilities up to date they would get families back holidaying there, look at the price of Center Parcs and they are always booked up, I know they have better grounds and facilities but still. Congratulations on reaching over 50k subscribers, well deserved, always look forward to your vlogs 👶🏼😘
I've been making stops and visits to England since 1977 and there's never been a time there wasn't massive scaffolding *everywhere*. Post war to current day, you adjust I guess. Btw this place is a DUMP, I wouldn't stay here for free... 🇺🇲 🇬🇧 peace ✌ 🙏
I noticed damp patches when I went to radio rallies held here over several years so only saw the downstairs and bar. A grand entrance, so interesting seeing other parts of it which appear a bit neglected.
Hi, Tim! I randomly stumbled upon your video about worst rated hotels in the UK. And, i’m really hooked! (Despite the splendor, it’s really sad that some of those historic buildings are in such poor condition) This can be my guide for my next visits to the UK (🤞🏼) Keep it up, expecting more videos like this in the future. Lots of love & support from Indonesia!👍🏻
I stayed here in 1985 for a big Union conference. The place was buzzing, real atmosphere, decent enough food, huge conference facilities, bars were full. Think it housed the Labour Party conference once, some big cabaret performers have starred there. 37 years on and...so sad to see the faded grandeur and neglect. Great review, Tim
Thanks Tim yes that was very interesting you did look as though you were in the worst side of a hotel and there is nothing worse than noisy room but it didn’t look overall too bad The one thing I wouldn’t want to pay is the electricity bill the mind boggles
I have just stumbled upon your channel. Have you visited Southport yet? I think you provide fair reflections of your experience. Some TH-camrs go OTT with their recordings and provide a dramatised view of their experience. You clearly work to provide a fair balance of positives and negatives.
I'm only in my 20's but this place used to have a kids play area called 'The Pirate Ship' which I remember having birthday party's at and it was the best play area ever, any Blackpool local my age will remember how good it was.
A few years ago I helped organise an event in the main hall through the back end of the ballroom. The mayor of Blackpool and the high sheriff of Lancashire were present as well as a few more select vip’s. It was a good event all in all. Afterwards though I remember clearing the hall after everybody had gone and once all that was finished, I had a wander around the hotel. I walked through some corridors and went into some rooms… and yeah… it was all grotty. So I was out of there lol
I stayed here a couple of years ago. Seemed ok (By cheap budget Blackpool standards). The main problem was at 3am when the fire alarms went off, and the 100+ guests had to evacuate. The 2 staff were clueless as to the correct procedures, and eventually everyone wandered back to bed having had no updates. Bloody dangerous!
Stayed here 20 something years ago it was the subject of a watchdog report and under major renovation when we visited stayed in a room with no windows. And had to phone our friends who did have a window to see what the weather was like
NO! It’s a reflection on Britannia Hotels. Of course some of the chav animals which infest our country are not blameless for the things they do in hotels or on the street. Pigs.
I stayed here in 1995. Looks like that is still possible. I was there to run in the Blackpool annual fun run. I remember being woken up by noise, loud music from downstairs in the middle of the night. I still ran a good time the next day despite broken sleep. Now known as "doing a Norbreck".
I've stayed at that hotel many times for line dancing events. It was very noisy all the time and the rooms are all different and sometimes you would be lucky to have decent one. The rooms are usually too hot or cold. One room we had the window had big gaps around the outside. We called the maintenance man who came and and stuck toilet paper in the gaps. Also had problems with blocked toilets and faulty lights. Food not great either. Its a shame it isn't keep up better because it could be really nice. X
I stayed here during a convention about 5 years ago. The room I had didn't have a window at all and the bedding was much more basic than what you had (no duvet). There is a big room in the exhibition centre (that you didn't show) that had main talks during the day and parties in the evenings. Unfortunately due to the "dance floor" being a concrete slab I managed to partially dislocate my knee. It does look like it has been painted and done up a bit since then, though not massively.
I love Britainia Hotels, hit and miss with the rooms I've been is some dismal ones but I just love reception areas, I feel like I've steeped back in time and its old fashioned entertainment. I would have loved to have lived in the era when they were at their peak. Great vlog Tim
I remember every time my grandparents would visit England again (they emigrated to Australia in their 30s) they would visit Blackpool. They loved it so much but the whole area has been in decline for decades.
It hasn't been in decline. Might be your opinion but more has been known in recent years and those that work in tourism know decline is a myth. There are some resorts that have declined, but, although it's not one that has fared the best, Blackpool hasn't been one of those.
@@basylpeterjones decline was likely the wrong word. Public perception, perhaps? My grandparents no longer went there on their trips because they were so disappointed in how things had changed and the state of the place in general. But that WAS mid 90s and we’re in damn 2022 now 😂😂 Plenty of time for a place to turn itself around from a dip.
Stayed here a few years back for my son's football tournament. The organisers enforced teams to stay at this hovel. First night we slept in the car and went home a night early. I'd rather spend a night at HMP Strangeways.
3:05 that glass ceiling dome is amazing, that fire exit is hideous, it's made of corrugated steel by the looks of it. Walls and carpets are rank! this place has clearly got damp and water leak issues which is a shame as it's a really interesting building.
Nooooooooo Lol I left a long review on trip advisor about this place basically me and my two kids paid very little for a weekend away and includigg be breakfast. Yeh the hotel was shabby but the staff attentive, food endless and we used it as a base to sleep whilst we wandered into Blackpool. The Ritz it ain’t but if you want a Ritzy hotel pay Ritzy prices lol 👍 Looking forward to this one🥸
Talking of thin walls, I remember once about 9 years ago going to a hotel and didn't get there till late due to delays in trains, I sat down in my room with my friend I was sharing a room with and we just commented on the room to hear the person in the next room hit the walls (because we were too "noisy" we were quiet for a few minutes and put the tv on at a low volume and the person again started thumping on the walls and I could hear a muffled obcenity! Sure the walls were thin but some guests think people shouldn't make a noise. The next morning I heard their tv on full blast at 7am and them having a long conversation till around 9am. Cheeky beggars!
Almost an identical situation happened with us. I remember a woman in the adjacent room, during their "proceedings", begin to howl. Literally howl. "AWOOO-WOOOO-Woooo-woooo!"
Such a lack of care and maintenance. Britannia really do seem to be a shoddy outfit - obviously in pursuit of profit over actual quality. Why don’t these companies realise that if they invest in their properties they’d eventually make more gains? Excellent and fair review as always!
Hi Tim, I stayed there many years ago & it did seem ok . I was more than over the moon to book a luxurious place to stay! Ooer! ha But, it most definitely needs a massive dose of TLC now for sure!
I couldn't wait to watch this one as I have visited this hotel on an almost yearly basis since about 2015 as I go to a regular event here, so I am very familiar with it. However, I only stayed here once and never again because it was so awful. I stayed in a twin and one of the beds was pretty much broken, there was a light fitting hanging off the wall, the window was broken and had been nailed shut, the carpet was dirty, the curtains were torn, the lampshades stained . . . . I could go on and on. I also had the worst food I have ever had at this hotel, a chicken burger and chips, which you would think is pretty much impossible to get wrong, but one bite of the so-called burger made me sick and the chips were barely cooked at all. It looks like they are finally doing some work to the hotel, which is much needed, but as you say it's so big that its almost an endless job. I don't know if its still there but there used to be a large pond out the front that was always full of sludge and rubbish every time I visited. It's a shame you didn't go in the big events room as that is really impressive indeed. One good thing about the Norbreck (or Castle Greyskull as we all call it) is the bar is really cheap and always has a good selection of drinks. That's probably the only positive I can say about it! Oh, and there is a really nice chippy behind it. I just want to say that I only discovered your channel recently, after it recommended your Fuerteventura video (a place very special to my heart) and I am absolutely loving the content, you've quickly become one of my favourite TH-cam channels. You seem to cover exactly what I want to see - British seaside hotels/resorts, tourist attractions and the Canary Islands. I'd love to do a travel blog channel like yours, but I'll have to keep plugging away with my semi-popular retro gaming channel (SIGH). Keep up the great work Tim!
This hotel had a major problem with rats and mice in the kitchens and food poisoning spanning from the 1980's through to the 90's. It used to be the most expensive hotel in Blackpool but it changed hands and became the dirtiest. I can't believe its still going.
The function rooms and some of those corridors are stunning, hopefully they are going to bring it all up to standard as it’s such a shame to see things like that room you stayed in. I don’t care if it was £25 quid there is no excuse for filth and the chance of falling masonry. It’s in such a prime location and Blackpool is such a popular resort it’s not like they are ever going to be scratching for guests. That room looked more like a staff bedroom.
I stayed here on Saturday and it was a pretty nice room, needed to take a duvet off of one of the spare beds as it got cold in the night. The entertainment area and breakfast were also good. Would deffo stay here again
Architecture in these hotels are so amazing it's such a shame when they let things go with lack of cleaning and maintenance,so different to here for size and design
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Which one is worse out of these three?
@@katygaston8777 you tell me ?
New subscriber here, followed you via your Bridlington video, just been there today in the same spots, wasa lovely day and I have to say its not a bad little place to go walking. The sun was out and its nice enough to stop and chat with a stranger or two
I stayed here many many years ago and the staff & stay was really good. They provided us with a cot & extra clean bedding. I cannot believe how down hill it's really got.
Hi Tim stay in mircia guest house in SCARBOROUGH Everything is greqt rooms are great qnd in great location
Feels like such a shame when you see hotels that were clearly gorgeous in it's younger years but slacked on maintenance and boom, in need of a whole renovation.
yes but money is the issue
A bit like parts of the UK rail network.
LOL
Needs knocking down never mind renovation
Agree. Felt the same after the video on The Grand (Scarborough).
I guess world moved on and only the most desires of UK resorts (if any) can justify the upkeep of such a place?
Biggest concern I would have in staying in this hotel would be the lack of fire exits, proper fire doors, and dead end corridors . . . a miracle this hotel hasn't had a major fire.
It's too damp to start one lol
I’ve stayed here as an agency Nurse when working at A&E in Blackpool for a month. I stayed in the better part as I’d explained to the staff why I was there. The staff on reception were great. I paid for a single room but I got a double with sea views. I always took my own bottom sheets x2 and single duvet, pillow and slept on top of the bed! My own towels and travel kettle, cup spoon tea bags and milk. My uniforms were ironed at home so everything in my big suitcase. There’s a nice cafe owned by a Christian family a couple of miles from the hospital. I’d eat there each morning, sleep , shower go to work. The M&S in Blackpool hospital had fruit and food which I’d buy and eat on break at work. I only stayed for a couple of weeks until a nurse colleague offered me a room at her house. But the Norbreck was ok. Clean and where I was, refurbished. During the summer when I was working, the people were diamonds in the rough. Very pleasant, kind and helping me with my bags. I’ve never had such respect as a Registered Nurse as I did at the Norbreck. The offers of help, the kind staff who made my stay as comfortable as possible, the polish cleaners who took pride in their work for little to no thanks for it. All I have are nice memories for which could have been a bad experience. So thank you Norbreck staff as people do take holidays there and travelling Nurses who work in hospitals in Blackpool, Preston, Lancaster etc use Blackpool as a base. Your video brought back memories of 2018!
Just travel with sleeping bag.
@@flybobbie1449I wanted my home comforts, pillow blankets etc… but yes a sleeping bag would have been easier!! 😂
I've worked in hotels for nearly 20 years, so seen a few in that time. Ones like the Grand in Scarborough are worth saving from a historical/architectural point of view, but many others I think should either be converted into apartments or demolished.
Traditional tourism in UK seaside towns has been diminishing for decades and some of these old hotels are just too big to manage/maintain.
I've worked in Jersey, Channel Islands for the last 5 years, which is generally very upmarket. Even there, a lot of hotels have been closing down or being converted in the last two years. Sign of the times!
Anyway, very much enjoying your videos. Only came across them last night. The Gibraltar one was fantastic! I went there years ago, what a place!
Thanks Harry .. yes I love Gib
Blackpool has been in decline for years. It's a dump
@@mollywalker5790 I still love it
Put dingy divers in there?
@@bertiewooster3326 we don't flipping want them. No no no no there is already one hotel full of them here.
Stayed in here myself multiple times. Significant difference from the first to the last. Our room last January was so cold we had to call my grandfather who lives in Thornton to bring us sleeping bags and the shower collapsed on my mother and left her with a gash and many bruises. It is a shame as the staff are lovely, accommodating and quite clearly are struggling to do their best with few facilities. It’s a shame.
These grand hotels are no longer fit for purpose.
I always think that it would be a good idea to mothball a part of these hotels and block it off to guests. That way you only have to concentrate on the parts that are open so it's much more manageable for the staff.
The mothballed parts can then progressively get renovated, when time and money allows, into such things like a music venue, a wedding venue that can be separated from the rest of the hotel, or more rooms if/when the hotel starts to gather a better reputation.
But to leave the whole thing open is evidentially unmanageable.
I was thinking that when looking at the Grand in Scarborough, then I thought about life before TV and realised it is actually people that aren't fit for purpose and the building is fine. I wonder how a 'golden age of travel' hotel, where you would be expected to do without your gadgets and attend afternoon events in the event spaces, dress for dinner etc would go down as a novelty holiday?
@Wake Vulture I was thinking about using the building as it was meant to be used not going on holiday lol
I live not far away and pass this place most days.
Whilst in theory, a good idea, the fact is that, believe it or not, it very often is completely full.
National Holidays alone can have anything from four to eight 53 seater coaches outside some weeks and weekends. So do the maths there for example.
So, as I say, in theory an excellent idea, but it would be difficult to mothball areas when they are quite often desperately needed.
Brittania own two other large hotels to the south of Norbreck. They’re both budget hotels, but not quite as bad as the Norbreck. I think they’re just happy to keep this one as a super budget hotel. The place gets absolutely rammed, so it’s working for them.
@@cathunter3874what?
Such a shame that so many hotels are suffering! The Norbreck was originally a large country house in the 1860s. Thanks for visiting and letting us see inside!
I didn't know that
I stayed here with a friend a few years back and was appalled. People can say things like 'For £30/£40 a night what do you expect?' But I've stayed at private B&Bs in Blackpool for around the same and their places were spotless. Dated/old fashioned decor, furnishings, etc don't bother me at all, but there's no need for such a basic lack of cleanliness or allowing things to decay to the point where they become a hazard. I'd be embarrassed to work at this hotel!
good point Freya
I agree in general but the problem is, to maintain a building that size to a high standard costs a huge amount of money, and the money required is not going to be raised by selling rooms on the cheap. Problem is, if they charge the prices necessary for decent maintenance, they won't get enough customers, since they would be outpriced by cheap package holidays to the Med. A bit of an unsolvable problem caused by the fact that times have changed.
I agree. I would prefer to pay a little more and at least get a clean room, comfy bed etc. I think that's a basic right. We booked a two night stay at a cheap hotel in Nice , France but it said it had an en suite bathroom and Aircon. When we arrived the lift was out of order, there was no ensuite bathroom, no Aircon and the bedroom though clean looked like a room they take you when you are kidnapped, bed, set of drawers with a mirror propped on them. We spoke to the manager , showed them the paper booking paper and said what do we expect for the price, we said what it says here. He refunded us and we got another hotel around the corner for £20 a night more that was as advertised. It's such a shame. It does look like with Norbreck they are slowly trying to update it and being a 1950/60's hotel on the seafront it's not going to take the 9 months of British winter that well.
the people working may not have anywhere else to go to work.
I don’t mated dated decor as long as it’s clean. I’ve stayed in B&Bs that are like a 1970s time warp but at least they’re were clean. But when they’re dirty that’s where I draw the line.
Stayed there as a child in the late 60's a couple of times with my parents. I think it was called the Norbreck Hydro back then and it was the grandest hotel in Blackpool. Such a shame to see it's demise.
I know 😶
Hi Tim, It was built as a manor house in 1869, this is why it is so impressive in many parts. The last time i stayed there was around 1990, it was filthy then. You could just imagine the original inhabitants looks on their faces seeing it now.
I stayed here with my parents and family in 1990 and 1991. It was a palace! 12 foot snooker table, table tennis and resident artist of whom I still have his paintings. It was the best hotel in Blackpool I'm sure at the time. Only negative to me was it's distance from the Pleasure Beach! We used to stay in The Mayville, St. Chads, The Queens, The Viking, all great places and The Norbreck was a class above at the time. So sad to see the decline.
Very interesting video Tim. Part of the problem is that the hotel is so big it would take an army of cleaners and maintenance people to keep it clean and maintained all year round and that just isn’t viable. It must have been a wonderful place back in it’s heyday. Such a shame 🙂
Yes I'm sure it was
I was thinking the same they need plenty of staff and these days hotels are struggling to get staff, i have stayed there a few years ago i did not find it too bad, apart from the scramble at breakfast in the dining room which really was a free for all...The entertainment was great in the evening cannot fault that, it looks a very impressive hotel from the outside.
I think the problem is people not keeping on top of it. If you're charging good money for a room you can employ the people to do it and maintain the place, the more you drop your prices, the less you can afford to do and the hotel just falls in to disrepair, like this one has.
Once you're at £25 a night it's very difficult to invest money and make it a more upmarket place.
@@technicalscience and the sad fact is that in an era of cheap flights it's hard for seaside towns in northern England to compete with warmer climates like Spain and south France (or even the south coast of England).
@@technicalscience They would have been forced to drop the prices to £25 a night due to a lack of bookings when the prices were higher. I've stayed in a b&b in Blackpool for £10 a night.
Blackpool and Skeggy (Skegness) are two of the biggest examples of the disrepair and disuse British seaside towns got when cheap flights to continental Europe started to happen in the 70s and 80s. And honestly, with the utter lack of care and respect now shown I can’t blame people going abroad
I still love both lol
You missed out Bridlington, another shit hole
Good thing that y'all got Brexit now. Stay home and support your local seaside.
skeggy is far better then blackpool
There was no fall in the fortunes of British resorts after cheap flights came. Skegness has very massive tourism for a small town in a rural area - higher than it's ever been, and, as the old slogan goes, about Blackpool: More holiday beds than Portugal, more visitors than Greece. You've picked on Blackpool and Skegness for no other reason than you, and many others, dislike them. And it's tiresome.
My apartment has the same bathroom shower pipe sounds in my bedroom. I can hear when someone above me uses the shower and the pipes get activated. I’ve gotten use to it but It can happen anytime and sometimes it scares the poo right out of me 😂😂
Your videos are so informative, and unbiased. I love the effort you put into them. As a child holidaying in Blackpool I always wanted to stay here but never did, probably too dear back then lol.
Glad you like them! why not subscribe too Carol its free ;-)
I totally love your videos. Would be great if while driving/walking up you gave us a little history of the building. Built in, built by, what type of people stayed there in its hay day, perhaps the industry of the town had been a hugely affluent city (like the Liverpool one) but as the industries closed the town declined and there wasn’t such need for such a grand hotel. I know its not a history show but would be really good to have some context as to why each hotel has had to evolve from clearly something so grand to having arcade machines in the lobby. But again thank you for these really fabulous videos.
good tip thanks
Bless you Tim. Again it’s not meant to be a history lesson so hope you didn’t think I was taking out of turn. Still FABULOUS
"Balmoral, sounds posh" - Remembering the old Balmoral pub in Newcastle, one of the roughest bars going. Doesn't give me posh vibes 😂
Good video Tim. I remember when they constructed the conservatory at the front and it was very impressive at the time, which I think was about 1996. I was working with a company there that did some of the finishing touches.
Great video. I went to this hotel a few years back, & to be honest I still have nightmares about it, the room hadn't been cleaned since the Victorian times & the window (single glazed) wouldn't shut properly & it was a proper Bpl gale outside we reported it but nothing was done, it's far to big & grand. I totally avoid Brittannia Hotels.
Oh wow!
Stayed here on a coach trip about four years ago - my room was in the older part of the building where the reception is located. The place is enormous, around 500 rooms, I believe, and desperately in need of investment. My own experience of it was reasonable. The room was clean, and I don't envy the job the cleaning staff must have trying to keep on top of it. The food was pretty good, and I can't fault that. It must've been so grand decades ago! Read somewhere that the government requisitioned the hotel and shipped a load of civil servants here from London during the war, due to the sheer size of the place being able to accommodate them.
good points mate Ian
A family member of mine worked here for many years.. some of the rooms she had to clean was disgusting. And she only had 10 mins to clean each one, didn't matter if she was cleaning sick, or other bodily fluids. The room had to be clean within 10 mins and beds made. Sometimes she would go into the bathroom and someone had Vomited up the wall, or human waste all in the toliet and up the walls. Ugh
Omg
Yeah, I must admit some people don't help matters by not reporting that they broke something or they messed the bed after drinking too much instead they just leave and let others find it much like the lazy sod who couldn't keep hold of that crisp packet.
You make a good point. I took to cleaning rooms for a chain hotel at a service station between jobs and we were allowed just 15 mins per room to do everything from changing the bedding to cleaning the bathroom, wiping down all surfaces, changing towels, replenishing comp trays, putting stuff away, it was exhausting. And you had to take shortcuts. If a towel looked like it hadn’t been used, you left it. You swilled out mugs under the tap to save time changing them out. And no one had time to make sure they used the right colour cloth for the toilet and sink. It’s a grim job with crap pay, and no one ever says thank you.
Great to watch this Tim. Stayed here in the 80's. Wasn't great then! Remember it being huge and like something out of a scary film. On another note had a blast in Blackpool! Taking the tram into town, seeing the lights. Happy memories...
glad u had fun in Blackpool
That's a great review of the Norbreck Castle. I stayed back in 2016 and quite frankly just made the best out of it. The 1st room we were given was in a dire state and we even found blood spots in the tiles in the bathroom. But... it was cheap! It looks like they've been improving things since our stay as the communal areas look a lot better than they did when we stayed.
blood stains but cheap lol makes you think what has gone on in the bathroom
@@WalkWithMeTim My thoughts exactly.... that's why we asked for another room! They obliged and moved us to a much larger room.... but in that room the carpet was crunchy... so glad I took slippers. What is it with Britannia and Best Western Hotel groups... why do they have to seemingly run hotels into the ground?
I stayed in this hotel a lot of times towards the end of my grandparents lives in the early to mid 90s, it was going downhill badly then as they were spending far too much money trying to compete with a couple of other hotels in the town for the few senior couples that still saw Blackpool as a couples getaway location with everything in house and seemingly trying to avoid families and the weekend drinking parties. Indeed the conservatory which is now where the entertainment was was the great investment back then for all the old folks to sit and while away the day drinking tea in, with the pool and rooms really suffering from lack of upkeep. They seemed to realise their mistake sometime in the 00s just as the 'convention' scene was kicking off and switched the ballroom over to more of a venue that was rented out. It actually looks quite a bit nicer than it did at the turn of the century, but the lack of exterior upkeep on half the building means it should have long been torn down.
Wow thanks for sharing
Just had a quick look up and the hotel originally started live as a private house in 1869 and then in 1912 turned into Norbreck Hydro which expanded into what we have today in around 1939. So yes the building is old and will suffer with damp if it’s not had major renovations to the structure of the building. The part you said looked nicer must have been either had some major renovation work carried out or it was a new part as the stairs sounded like wood where the part you was in the stairs was solid so probably the older part of the hotel. But wow nice building it just need a lick of paint in places but all this cost money and as people stop spending we will see the low end of the hotel chains like these cutting down on maintenance. Which will sadly lead to most hotel of this age losing more appeal to the public as they get more dilapidated. It’s how some of these great architectural looking buildings end up abandoned. And great vid again I’m finding these interesting just so I can see around some of these old hotels and buildings. And what state some of these places are like. I can’t say the name but used to work for a company that also used one of the hotels you featured for its quest. Bad I wouldn’t have stayed there and if I had chance go over old customer complaint letters again I would side with them. And me drivers.
Agree
The crisp packet might have been left to see if its been cleaned, i used to clean offices and the staff would plant things to make sure we were cleaning correctly x
I'll never understand how the basics like simply hoovering a carpet are ignored. Brittannia Hotels should be ashamed. I'll never understand how they are able to run a beautiful building like this into the ground, when it should be a shining light. Very sad. Oh and whoever chose that carpet needs help! 🤣
Lol
They could spend millions renovating it and hiring more staff, but travel and holiday culture has changed so much that they'd never get enough customers to pay for it, so yeah it's a money pit that's almost literally being held together by duct tape.
They don't have enough staff to keep on top of the cleaning needed for a building that size, and they can't afford to hire more staff without putting the prices up, which will drive people elsewhere.
There must been several square miles of carpet in that building.
Hiya Tim! I did warn you when you did the Scarborough vlog about this hotel! It’s popular due to the amount of entertainment that goes on there. They do loads of Line Dancing functions.Stayed there myself a few times for that reason back in the late 90s and hated every minute!
It looks impressive from the outside but that’s where it ends. Glad you have given it an honest review 👍🏻
lol thanks Sara
I stayed here last year after my friend booked without reading reviews. I stood in reception to watch the complainers, it was very entertaining. 42 cars had their catalytic converters stolen from the car park overnight, an elderly couple were threatened by other guests, the drawers fell apart when I tried to open them. Mine is one of the terrible reviews.
Breakfast wasn’t bad.
Omg
Theft In Blackpool is mad! Last time I went to Blackpool, they stole my train ticket home and I feared I would never escape the place.
Too many druggies were housed in Blackpool hotels as part of the housing issue.
You should try that gay hotel - they dont have locks on some of the doors - but leave the light on when you go to sleep if your a bit fussy - if you get my meaning
My ex got his passport and phone stolen, his own fault, he fell asleep at a bus stop 🚌
Here's johnny! Reminds me of an old film I watched :). I do enjoy these reviews and it is a shame to see these places as they are. I particularly liked the review of Bream Sands as we stayed there a few years ago - the staff were really nice though!
Well said!
Went to do a site visit here about 6years ago for a potential conference where everyone would have stayed. Immediately our company said no we can’t bring delegates here. We didn’t stay, just looked at some rooms. I think our venue finder suggested it because it’s so big and was well in budget
Such a shame these grand, beautiful landmarks are in such disrepair. Stateside we have loads of run down motels, but they are by the large on old highways built 20s-60s before the interstates made their roads obsolete.
agree
It makes me so sad that Britannia are buying these beautiful buildings and running them into the ground.
they are doing some work
The land is where the money is. That’s why Britannia buys these places.
The problem is, who else would run it? Many of these hotels would be boarded up by now and left to rot a lot quicker. Some of the hotels are listed buildings, so it's not just about land.
They do seem to be investing in renovations in these places but it takes time and money. Britannia doesn't itself run then into the ground....they buy them cheao because they alreaady are.
I used to work here decades ago. It was never aimed at being the finest hotel in Blackpool but it was far cleaner than it is these days. The catering team was one of the best in Blackpool and they spent a lot of money on kit.
I stayed in the Grand in Scarborough last week and loved it. Lovely room, mega quiet, fresh paint and new carpet everywhere I went in the hotel and a fab breccy. This place on the other hand really needs a load of love and investment and no way would I stay there. Such a shame as the potential for that hotel is immense. Come on Britannia, give this place the love and care it clearly deserves. Thanks for this Tim, you have definitely showed me WHERE NOT to stay in Blackpool.
The other side of the hotel looks better
@@WalkWithMeTim The state of the un vaccumed floors was unforgivable.
Very profession opening to the video Tim! This is the kind of production I'd expect seeing on my TV. Thoroughly enjoyed the video, and look forward to many more.
Lol thanks .. I do put effort into all my vids so appreciate you noticed as many wouldn't
I stayed at the Norbrek Castle Hotel a few times over the years, mainly when Star Trek conventions were held there. The first one was Frontiers 1990 (before the refit) this was before the refit. The rooms were in a terrible state with thread bare carpets and furniture that looked as if it came from a charity shop! The next time I stayed there was at the Sol III Trek convention 1995 (this was after the refit) and the hotel was barely scraping by! And the last time I stayed at the hotel was at the Wolf SG-4 Stargate convention in 2004. My stay there was marginally better but not by much. But my 1990 stay, the attendees at the convention called the hotel, Castle Norbretski and likened the place to a POW camp!!! It was that bad....
I remember staying at the Norbreck in 95 for the Sol 3 trek convention. I met Dwight schultz there. It was actually the nicest hotel I'd stayed in, not actually stayed in many and didn't really take much notice of tge state of it, but I did enjoy my stay in 95.
Really enjoy your videos Tim and your great presenting/format skills 👍🏻
Thanks James
I found your video very interesting and it will make me look more closely at places I stay at in the future. It is a few years since I stayed at the Norbreck Castle Hotel (2017) and I have to say that I do remember the cleaning services were lacking quite severely. I stayed in the wing that you mentioned had been worked on. I have to say that the new decoration etc does look better now. Maybe the wing you stayed in will be brought up to the same standard.
Thanks For watching Paul
Stayed here in 2019, we were in different wing, but the stairs were wonky, our room had been painted, but wasn't dry, and the food so inedible, we had pizza hut. When we walked along the corridor past the restaurant, everyone had a dominos. The best bit was making friends with a seagull. 😂😂😂
lol
Great video, really enjoyed the tour.
Britannia own 3 other hotels in Blackpool, with different prices per night - The Savoy (>£27), The Grand (>£37) & The Metrople (a whopping >£149!). Would be interesting to see comparison vids for all of them...
Thanks for the info! yes I guess it would ;-)
@@WalkWithMeTim Ive seen vids on the metrople and its worse than this for what they are charging ! The Metrople used to be owned by Butlins yrs ago and was one of the Premier hotels in blackpool not any more sadly!
I heard this was worse! wow
Common denominator in these poor hotels is - Britannia a terrible chain of hotels (using this word lightly)
Just an FYI. The metropole is where migrants are housed. DO NOT STAY THERE. Brittannia don't care, they're getting a wad of cash from government and guests are complaining of harassment and worse. Its a sh*t hole much like any Brittannia hotel. I worked at savoy for yrs, was great hotel yrs ago, now its ruined by Brittannia. Everything Brittannia touches turns to crap. Such a shame for a lot of these places. I still live in bpool and the changes over my life time are disappointing.
Town seems to attract the dead heads n dossers even saw kids dealing today right outside Costa in front of grand theatre. We have no hope! 😔
Thanks Tim. Very' illuminating' :-). Looks like the Norbreck should shut down one half of the hotel for a complete refurbishment. Who knows? One day it might reach its former glory. Savoy next? Don't think that one is as bad though.
Lol
You are incredibly brave to stay in these places. The nose pick and pubic hair would have sent me out screaming. I hope your channel grows to expose these hotel chain slumlords. Aren’t there safety laws in place for hotels? Mold should shut a hotel down.
the other side of the hotel looks better
I think Tim is doing a good job in highlighting these dumps in a round about ways by videoing them and posting here.
Hi I have heard that for yrs its a dump, you would think it would make sense to close of a chunk of it and concentrate on sorting the other bits then re open the closed part and fix that. Seems a shame to let it go like that. Keep up the good work thanx 👍
Thanks Linda
Great review 👏 it's really good you highlight these hotels then people can decide if it's the place for them .
Congratulations on 50000 well deserved 👏
Thank you! 😃 I hope you are one of them ;-)
@@jackwatsonepic626 we use premier Inn you know what you are getting I don't mind old but can't do dirty. There are some great b and bs around the country and usually not big businesses getting the money
lol
Lol, blood running down the walls. Sounds like something out of a horror movie 😂. Another great video 👍🏻
Lol
A friend of mine got married at the Norbreck Castle about 10 years ago. It included ceremony, meal for ~40 guests, then afterparty with hot buffet and DJ. All told, they paid £800
Wow bargain
Another good one Tim, reminds me why I always pay the money to stay 5 star, but if someone's on a budget then the choice these days is of very limited quality...
very true
I stayed there, we had to go to reception about 3 times because they'd stuck us in the same room as someone else, which we discovered when we opened the wardrobe and it was full of clothes and laptops.. They really struggled to change it.
wow
Another Brilliant insight Tim Well done
It seems to be a running theme that the Britannia hotels have so much potential! I imagine they all face the same problem - I can only assume they are listed buildings which really restricts the maintenance work that can be undertaken. Anything that will compromise the original structure of the hotel will most likely be prohibited. Unfortunately it’ll take more than new carpets to bring this former beauty up to scratch.
True
Hi Tim,this just popped up, what a huge hotel, bet it was very grand back in the day, shame but the upkeep must cost an absolute fortune. Thanks for sharing this, wonder if it's same today or worse, 😊😊
It is very sad to see the demise of these grand old buildings,but there is NO excuse for them to be so grubby ! Ty Tim 🎉
This was a hotel that in the 1960’s and 1970’s was a very grand and special place. As a teenager I attended what were called “The butchers ball” (both sides of my family were butchers on Ashton In Makerfield) every February, with my parents and grand parents.
I’ve been in Blackpool today, and to reminisce, I walked from the town centre in Blackpool to the Norbreck. (It was The Hydro in my day). I called into this hotel, and was so shocked at the state of the place, that I had tears. It used to be such a superb place. The Art Deco flourishes are still just about there underneath the layers of grime. That stupendous ballroom. The Solarium. The silver service that you got in the dining room. That swimming pool (where I learnt to swim) with the deco diving board, the gorgeous and tantalising cocktail bar.
The place today was just dead and empty and filthy. I doubt it can be saved. They’ve even demolished the grand staircase that came down into the vast ballroom. I remember dancing on that huge floor.., The March of the Mods etc.
It’s such a crying shame to see it so desolate and in a state of decay. I’ve always loved Blackpool… not the Golden Mile … but the acres of (now clean) beaches, the trams, the bracing walks and the views of the Cumbrian Fells.
I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to visit the Norbreck Castle again.
It belongs to a bygone era. I hope that those people who stayed there recently appreciate what the place USED to be like.
Did anyone else attend those “Butchers Balls”?
Andrew
I hope they do too! thanks for sharing Andrew
A shame to see another hotel I went to over a decade ago get run into the ground. It was really nice when I was there back in 2009.
i was born ln 2009
Thankyou for the video Tim on the Norbreck in Liverpool.Such a shame it'd been allowed to fall into such a state as you can see how posh it once was.
Tim just an idea to add to these videos after you stay the night is to try the breakfasts out too we would also see an update from you on how you slept in the hotel 😊
good idea! tbh I thought people might not be interested in that bit lol
@@WalkWithMeTim I certainly would, would just be nice to see the all round experience of the place and some of its service to customers is the mornings if any!!
:-)
Beautiful hotel but sadly suffering from lack of maintenance.Tough times for huge places like these.Great unbiased video from you Tim thankyou😁😁😘😘
Thanks for saying so sue! ;-)
It must cost an absolute fortune to maintain a hotel of that size and keep it clean.
Without large numbers of guests all year round I can see how they would fall into disrepair, especially when managed by a penny-pinching company that seems to do the minimum needed to keep the properties running.
Agree
stayed in it last year, partly out of curiosity as I grew up in Blackpool and had never been in this big imposing place. I was put in the newer addition on the left which I saw being constructed I think in the late 70's. Just was not comfortable, checked out a day early, didn't sleep well, one night someone with a big mouth kept waking me up in the early hours talking to her friend in their room and played music. Some basic simple work could make a big improvement, picking litter, sweeping cigarette butts up, cleaning carpets in reception, some gardening, minor repairs. When busy it is like an old people's home, the majority of guests are elderly
yes a lot of coach tours
The overheads for a hotel of that size must be ginormous! Including cleaning, maintenance, etc. Can't imagine they make a profit...
They must be doing something right
Its funny that you mention that, I'm a student accountant so I decided to have a nose at their books. There are 3 shareholders of the company. They get over £120 million in income and after overheads and tax the profit they made was just over £10 million in 2020. between 3 people aint bad.
Hi Tim probably was lovely in its hayday. Couldn't stay there though. Well done for staying there . Thankyou for sharing with us. Love to you as always Tracey 💕 xxxx
Thanks Tracey
There is a pattern, The Britannia Hotel Manchester, Sacha's Hotel, and the Norbreck Castle. And they did have Pontins in Southport at one stage. Also the Adelphi in Liverpool, all owned by Britannia Hotels
they also own the grand hotel in Scarborough
Love these hotel vlogs Tim . Think these Britannia hotels are far too big maybe if they were half the size and they spent money bringing the facilities up to date they would get families back holidaying there, look at the price of Center Parcs and they are always booked up, I know they have better grounds and facilities but still. Congratulations on reaching over 50k subscribers, well deserved, always look forward to your vlogs 👶🏼😘
Thanks Paula.. yes let's hope maybe one day someone will save them
Thank you for doing the review Tim top man! Also just to let you know that scaffolding as been up since 2015 😂
LOL
No way lmaooooooo
I've been making stops and visits to England since 1977 and there's never been a time there wasn't massive scaffolding *everywhere*. Post war to current day, you adjust I guess. Btw this place is a DUMP, I wouldn't stay here for free... 🇺🇲 🇬🇧 peace ✌ 🙏
I noticed damp patches when I went to radio rallies held here over several years so only saw the downstairs and bar.
A grand entrance, so interesting seeing other parts of it which appear a bit neglected.
Hi, Tim!
I randomly stumbled upon your video about worst rated hotels in the UK.
And, i’m really hooked!
(Despite the splendor, it’s really sad that some of those historic buildings are in such poor condition)
This can be my guide for my next visits to the UK (🤞🏼)
Keep it up, expecting more videos like this in the future.
Lots of love & support from Indonesia!👍🏻
Hey Thanks Michelle , hope you check out my other vids too!
You are doing the work that so many people cant! Bless you
I stayed here in 1985 for a big Union conference. The place was buzzing, real atmosphere, decent enough food, huge conference facilities, bars were full. Think it housed the Labour Party conference once, some big cabaret performers have starred there. 37 years on and...so sad to see the faded grandeur and neglect. Great review, Tim
yes such a shame thanks for watching
Great Vid Tim really enjoyed it I have been watching your videos all day to cheer me up because my Nan passed away today I loved her
Sorry to hear that Ross 🖤 my deepest condolences
Thanks Tim yes that was very interesting you did look as though you were in the worst side of a hotel and there is nothing worse than noisy room but it didn’t look overall too bad The one thing I wouldn’t want to pay is the electricity bill the mind boggles
I know crazy
I have just stumbled upon your channel. Have you visited Southport yet? I think you provide fair reflections of your experience. Some TH-camrs go OTT with their recordings and provide a dramatised view of their experience. You clearly work to provide a fair balance of positives and negatives.
Thanks mark , hope u subscribed.. I will be going soon
@@WalkWithMeTim Yes. Definitely subscribed. The Prince of Wales in Southport would be an interesting hotel for you to review!
I'm only in my 20's but this place used to have a kids play area called 'The Pirate Ship' which I remember having birthday party's at and it was the best play area ever, any Blackpool local my age will remember how good it was.
Yes I also remember looking at it and thinking wow
A few years ago I helped organise an event in the main hall through the back end of the ballroom. The mayor of Blackpool and the high sheriff of Lancashire were present as well as a few more select vip’s. It was a good event all in all. Afterwards though I remember clearing the hall after everybody had gone and once all that was finished, I had a wander around the hotel. I walked through some corridors and went into some rooms… and yeah… it was all grotty. So I was out of there lol
Lol
I stayed here a couple of years ago. Seemed ok (By cheap budget Blackpool standards). The main problem was at 3am when the fire alarms went off, and the 100+ guests had to evacuate. The 2 staff were clueless as to the correct procedures, and eventually everyone wandered back to bed having had no updates. Bloody dangerous!
wow
Stayed here 20 something years ago it was the subject of a watchdog report and under major renovation when we visited stayed in a room with no windows. And had to phone our friends who did have a window to see what the weather was like
Lol
Hi Tim. Perhaps they are concerntraiting on tackling the decorating on one half of the Nordic before doing the side you were staying in.
I did think that .. but the hovering!
Beautifully put together Lindon x
thanks gill!
When I was a kid (50 years ago), this was the poshest hotel in Blackpool. Now it's kind of a reflection of modern Britain.
wow
Couldn't agree more
NO! It’s a reflection on Britannia Hotels. Of course some of the chav animals which infest our country are not blameless for the things they do in hotels or on the street. Pigs.
In what way?
@@basylpeterjones Britain was Great...
I stayed here in 1995. Looks like that is still possible. I was there to run in the Blackpool annual fun run. I remember being woken up by noise, loud music from downstairs in the middle of the night. I still ran a good time the next day despite broken sleep. Now known as "doing a Norbreck".
I've stayed at that hotel many times for line dancing events. It was very noisy all the time and the rooms are all different and sometimes you would be lucky to have decent one. The rooms are usually too hot or cold. One room we had the window had big gaps around the outside. We called the maintenance man who came and and stuck toilet paper in the gaps. Also had problems with blocked toilets and faulty lights. Food not great either. Its a shame it isn't keep up better because it could be really nice. X
I know you are right Kerry
Yeah. Dancing.
I stayed here during a convention about 5 years ago.
The room I had didn't have a window at all and the bedding was much more basic than what you had (no duvet).
There is a big room in the exhibition centre (that you didn't show) that had main talks during the day and parties in the evenings. Unfortunately due to the "dance floor" being a concrete slab I managed to partially dislocate my knee.
It does look like it has been painted and done up a bit since then, though not massively.
so we're just going to ignore what was going on at 15:51?
I love Britainia Hotels, hit and miss with the rooms I've been is some dismal ones but I just love reception areas, I feel like I've steeped back in time and its old fashioned entertainment. I would have loved to have lived in the era when they were at their peak. Great vlog Tim
Thanks
I remember every time my grandparents would visit England again (they emigrated to Australia in their 30s) they would visit Blackpool. They loved it so much but the whole area has been in decline for decades.
I know shame
It hasn't been in decline. Might be your opinion but more has been known in recent years and those that work in tourism know decline is a myth. There are some resorts that have declined, but, although it's not one that has fared the best, Blackpool hasn't been one of those.
@@basylpeterjones decline was likely the wrong word. Public perception, perhaps? My grandparents no longer went there on their trips because they were so disappointed in how things had changed and the state of the place in general. But that WAS mid 90s and we’re in damn 2022 now 😂😂 Plenty of time for a place to turn itself around from a dip.
Very much enjoyed this - subscribed to your channel! 👍🏻
Wow thanks
Stayed here a few years back for my son's football tournament. The organisers enforced teams to stay at this hovel. First night we slept in the car and went home a night early. I'd rather spend a night at HMP Strangeways.
wow
3:05 that glass ceiling dome is amazing, that fire exit is hideous, it's made of corrugated steel by the looks of it. Walls and carpets are rank! this place has clearly got damp and water leak issues which is a shame as it's a really interesting building.
Nooooooooo
Lol I left a long review on trip advisor about this place basically me and my two kids paid very little for a weekend away and includigg be breakfast. Yeh the hotel was shabby but the staff attentive, food endless and we used it as a base to sleep whilst we wandered into Blackpool. The Ritz it ain’t but if you want a Ritzy hotel pay Ritzy prices lol 👍
Looking forward to this one🥸
I always give light and shade .. so yes wait till you see it
Just discovered your channel and I’m loving it and the longer videos! Keep it up! Subscribed
Thanks B .. check out some of my others too 😃
Talking of thin walls, I remember once about 9 years ago going to a hotel and didn't get there till late due to delays in trains, I sat down in my room with my friend I was sharing a room with and we just commented on the room to hear the person in the next room hit the walls (because we were too "noisy" we were quiet for a few minutes and put the tv on at a low volume and the person again started thumping on the walls and I could hear a muffled obcenity! Sure the walls were thin but some guests think people shouldn't make a noise. The next morning I heard their tv on full blast at 7am and them having a long conversation till around 9am. Cheeky beggars!
wow
Almost an identical situation happened with us. I remember a woman in the adjacent room, during their "proceedings", begin to howl. Literally howl. "AWOOO-WOOOO-Woooo-woooo!"
Such a lack of care and maintenance. Britannia really do seem to be a shoddy outfit - obviously in pursuit of profit over actual quality. Why don’t these companies realise that if they invest in their properties they’d eventually make more gains? Excellent and fair review as always!
Thanks Richie
Hi Tim, I stayed there many years ago & it did seem ok . I was more than over the moon to book a luxurious place to stay! Ooer! ha But, it most definitely needs a massive dose of TLC now for sure!
Agree Debbie
I couldn't wait to watch this one as I have visited this hotel on an almost yearly basis since about 2015 as I go to a regular event here, so I am very familiar with it. However, I only stayed here once and never again because it was so awful. I stayed in a twin and one of the beds was pretty much broken, there was a light fitting hanging off the wall, the window was broken and had been nailed shut, the carpet was dirty, the curtains were torn, the lampshades stained . . . . I could go on and on. I also had the worst food I have ever had at this hotel, a chicken burger and chips, which you would think is pretty much impossible to get wrong, but one bite of the so-called burger made me sick and the chips were barely cooked at all. It looks like they are finally doing some work to the hotel, which is much needed, but as you say it's so big that its almost an endless job.
I don't know if its still there but there used to be a large pond out the front that was always full of sludge and rubbish every time I visited. It's a shame you didn't go in the big events room as that is really impressive indeed. One good thing about the Norbreck (or Castle Greyskull as we all call it) is the bar is really cheap and always has a good selection of drinks. That's probably the only positive I can say about it! Oh, and there is a really nice chippy behind it.
I just want to say that I only discovered your channel recently, after it recommended your Fuerteventura video (a place very special to my heart) and I am absolutely loving the content, you've quickly become one of my favourite TH-cam channels. You seem to cover exactly what I want to see - British seaside hotels/resorts, tourist attractions and the Canary Islands. I'd love to do a travel blog channel like yours, but I'll have to keep plugging away with my semi-popular retro gaming channel (SIGH). Keep up the great work Tim!
This hotel had a major problem with rats and mice in the kitchens and food poisoning spanning from the 1980's through to the 90's. It used to be the most expensive hotel in Blackpool but it changed hands and became the dirtiest. I can't believe its still going.
I love these hotel videos!
Butlins Bognor was the first of your videos I saw and followed right there and then.
Yay! Thanks Simon
The function rooms and some of those corridors are stunning, hopefully they are going to bring it all up to standard as it’s such a shame to see things like that room you stayed in. I don’t care if it was £25 quid there is no excuse for filth and the chance of falling masonry. It’s in such a prime location and Blackpool is such a popular resort it’s not like they are ever going to be scratching for guests. That room looked more like a staff bedroom.
I stayed here on Saturday and it was a pretty nice room, needed to take a duvet off of one of the spare beds as it got cold in the night. The entertainment area and breakfast were also good. Would deffo stay here again
Architecture in these hotels are so amazing it's such a shame when they let things go with lack of cleaning and maintenance,so different to here for size and design
Agree