NewNiceMrMe Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 I thought a mini-review was in order here. Normally, on my trips away, I stay in Marriots. Lately that has meant amassing a very large number of Marriot rewards at the Northampton Marriot. The rooms are okay, decent sized, the service is good and you get enough facilities to get by on without a problem. The room service menu is crap though and the rooms are ridiculously hot because of the way the 'through room' vents cannot be closed off - so even with the aircon on full you still boil to death. At £105 per night on a Thursday, and £120 per night most other nights I find it is overpriced for what you get. Nonetheless, it's fit for purpose most of the time. Anyway.... This week I couldn't get booked in. Full up. So instead I tried the Hilton Northampton. I've stayed in a few Hilton's before and they've always been okay - but nothing better than Marriots. This one was £93 per night so I thought that was a good price and didn't expect too much. When I checked in it turned out that my old Hilton Honours number on my online account had reached Gold VIP status. Basically that's third up a four tier system (or so I now know). Anyway, this meant I got a free room upgrade. I didn't have to ask, they just said they'd do it. Well what a surprise I got after that. The room was superb for a Hotel 'group' of this size. Very large indeed, double room arrangement with a lounge away from the main bedroom area, proper internet access (albeit at £15 for 24 hours), an excellent mini-bar (much better than the Marriot crap), quiet, well located and very nicely decorated and immaculately clean. So for £93 a night I was well pleased. Now then....even better - the room service menu is huge and the food I had was first class. It was also delivered much quicker than in the Marriot. To top it all off when I checked out I told them I'd be interested in booking a good number of nights in advance. I've done this at Marriots on occasion and they always quote me the same rate. Not the Hilton. They discounted the room rate down to £80, confirmed the same upgraded room type would be given for every night, and then threw the breakfast in (even though I never eat it). What is more - they offered double Hilton Honours points so the wife, kids and I can take a decent length break somewhere when we fancy in a few months time. Very happy indeed. The hotel is large, the reception is huge and nicely done out, and overall I'm genuinely impressed for such a large group where standards usually don't seem to matter and you get a very run-of-the-mill service - not so at this one. Thumbs up to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 You staying in the one near Jnc 15? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Yep, that's the one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 Its always immaculate, they do look after it. You have to watch out for dodgy guests though, my brother stayed there on his wedding night and went sleepwalking, ended up reception, the problem was he was naked at the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Its always immaculate, they do look after it. You have to watch out for dodgy guests though, my brother stayed there on his wedding night and went sleepwalking, ended up reception, the problem was he was naked at the time [/ QUOTE ] Bloody hell. If he's going to be there over the next month or so will you let know Matt? That way I can book into the Marriot..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted October 27, 2005 Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 The best man tried to get hold of the CCTV but Hilton wouldnt let him have it, they did confirm the event took place though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2005 You've Been Framed in about 3 years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Thought I'd post this is up in addition to the original review. They couldn't give me the same room upgrade this week due to being fully booked so instead I've got a Double-Double Room. Bear in mind there are two double beds in this one and I could only fit one of them in shot because of the angle I was able to take the shot from - but this gives an idea of the sort of sized room you get for £93. In the right hand corner of the shot is a desk/working area and behind where the shot was taken is the bathroom. It's a much smaller bathroom than the last one but it's still good value in comparison to the Marriotts without doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsparkesuk Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 The Hilton there is fantastic, probably the only place in Northampton thats had the same name for more than 20yrs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Except it was called the Stakis not so long ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Except it was called the Stakis not so long ago [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooret Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 Yeah it is really nice. Used to live just round the corner and best pal had his wedding reception there. His wifes sister worked there at the time and at that time it was the Stakis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jsparkesuk Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Except it was called the Stakis not so long ago [/ QUOTE ] Come on that was like 7 years ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 [ QUOTE ] The Hilton there is fantastic, probably the only place in Northampton thats had the same name for more than 20yrs ! [/ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Come on that was like 7 years ago! [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 The best thing about that hotel is that as it's so close to J15 it's easy to escape Northampton from! I'm from there, so maybe I'm biased against it. And to be fair the town centre has improved in recent years. Shame they can't do anything about some of the occupants... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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