Viking Hotel - Blackpool, United Kingdom     

Just finished a week - end break, that is about all I could stay here, we were revisiting from about 10 years ago, and it has never changed. It needs a complete re vamp now!!! It looks just the same, a dismal entrance and frontage. The room was as bad so small, the shower was too small to get in and the toilet was in their as well, with the handwash basin in the room! Room 108 the view was a wall and down on to the Hotel bin storage area, all the rubbish just left on the ground and thrown a round. THE GOOD BITS Friendly staff especially the man on reception, the dineing room waiter as well. The food was very good and a good choice to choose from and served warm and quickly. The entertainment was very good although it was the same compare from before and the comedianne, (how long have they been there) But a good laugh from them both and clean fun, did we need to claim seats so soon, bit bored waiting till they started, should do bingo or a quiz. Value for money.

My fiance and I returned from a 3 night stay at The Viking yesterday and we wish we had booked for longer! On arrival the reception staff were friendly but some directions to our room would have been helpful as the hotel is a it of a maze (ok once you get used to it though). Our room was spotlessly clean, well equipped, very comfortable and nicely decorated. Unfortunately we didn't have a view at all (just a brick wall) but we hadn't requested a view so I would recommend doing so. Also I would ask not to have room 225 or those surrounding as there is a noisy air conditioning unit outside which you can hear if you have the window open (we had to because it was very hot). It is supposed to be turned off at night but unfortunately for me was forgotten one night and kept me awake. The bathroom was compact but didn't cause us any problems apart from the hot water running out whilst Alan was in the shower one day. Again it was very clean. The restaurant has a lovely sea view and you are allocated a table for the whole of your stay which makes life easier. This means that you have the same waiter and people seated near you so you can get chatting which we thought was nice. Our waiter was very friendly and informative. If you are not interested in talking to your fellow guests the meals are served over a one and a half hour period so you don't all have to eat at the same time. We enjoyed the food and liked the fact that there was a different menu each day which plenty of choice. The sauces were lovely! I think getting breakast and a three course dinner every day for the price we paid was great value for money. We made use of the three bars and found the drinks reasonably priced for a hotel. The bar staff are friendly and the bar downstairs has some tables outside so you can sit in the sun (sometimes!) on the seafront and relax with a drink. We tried out the evening entertainment but didn't reserve a table early enough so sat at the back. If you are planning on going to see the show every evening I would recommend reserving a seat which you retain for the whole of your stay. The entertainment was good fun and the compare Buddy Lee got everyone involved. There were different acts each night (singers and comedians) and the club was always packed out even though nowhere else in Blackpool was very busy. The Sensation dancers have great costumes which the men seem to like! The location of the hotel is good as it is on the seafront near the South Pier and a two minute walk to the beach. Unfotunately the promenade is currently being redone which looks great in the finished areas but like a building site elsewhere. There are tram and bus stops very close to the hotel so it is great for getting out and about for day trips and evenings out. Overall I would definately recommend this hotel as we really enjoyed our stay and are thinking of going back. The fact that it is a child free zone was a plus as we don't have any yet and don't really want to be surrounded by children whilst we are on holiday. The hotel staff and other guests were extremely friendly which made the experience that much better for us. We are both under 40 and there weren't many other guests that were, which surprised us a bit at first but in the end didn't make any differnce to us at all.