Technology seeks innovators and drives revolution. Is it any surprise then that Best Western is the first hotel chain in the UK to create a charging network for electric cars? After all, they were the first to offer guest Internet across their entire portfolio in the UK. Back in ‘the good old days’ industry experts, in a similar way to questions about the benefits of electric cars, questioned the move.

With 50 hotels already EV ready and over 50 more due to be before the end of September, Best Western are the go to group for electric car charging. Working with Zero Carbon World, Best Western will increase the charities network of locations by 35%. Becoming the first hotel chain in the UK to offer this service is a massive boost for electric cars.

We need to find alternative solutions to personal transport. Oil is running out and climate change is a foreboding inevitability if we don’t recognise that change is needed. Investment from major manufacturers in electric cars totals billions. The UK government has invested £400 million to help push the boundaries for the modern electric car.

Build it and they will come, indeed. With government estimates of 1.2m electric cars on the roads before 2020 the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) wants 120,000 publicly accessible charging stations before this date. It will, as usual, be the innovators that electrify the future.

With Best Western, you can already rest and charge. Guests will be able to drive an electric car into a hotel car park and plug it in, either overnight or while they enjoy a meal, afternoon tea or spa treatment. You’ll need an electric car of course, but don’t worry if you don’t have one already you will one day soon. They are cheap to run, full of technology, fun to drive, have no road tax, zero emissions and now available for the mass market.

You can even try one out right now through one of the many rental schemes that are popping up all over the UK. Whether that is taking a Twizy through the Welsh countryside of renting an Ampera and driving from London to Cumbria, there is a whole new electric world waiting for you.

What’s stopping you?

To help us test out our brand new portfolio of family friendly hotels, we wanted to recruit a group of young experts to pay a visit, and give us their upmost honest opinion – the way only kids can do!

Every parent knows that when their child is happy, it makes for a much more enjoyable and relaxing break. And that’s exactly what we want – a happy family enjoying our family friendly hotels.

The chosen Inspectors took their family along for a two night break in exchange for their very own review of the hotel.

Here is Elizabeth Gardner’s write up of her stay at the BEST WESTERN Stoke-on-Trent Moat House – in her own special words…
 

‘Wow what a great hotel we stayed at the in the Best Western plus Stoke on Trent moat house hotel.
On the 10th and 11th April , both the ladies Tracy and Jane on the reception desk were lovely. on both days I was given a activity pack and they told us what room we had. it was the Mitchell suite room 339 we had 2 card keys to get in the doors it was so big. I was on the 3rd floor the lifts was big as well – it had the menu printed all over them for dinner, the first thing I tried was to see how good the beds where so I had a quick bounce that was fun. The bathroom was massive, it even had rubber ducks in it and all the towels had been turned into animals one was a dog a elephant and two swans, we had two TVs in our room and bunk beds there was lots of pillows and even more in the cupboard I love pillows so I had three.

The first thing we did after unpacking was we went swimming I love swimming we went down and you tell the man your number then they give u a towel to use the pool it was not to big and not that many people in there we stayed in for about 30 minutes . my mom went in the Jacuzzi she said it was wonderful then we gave our towels back and went and got dressed for dinner .

I had melon in the shape of a boat and then chicken nuggets jacket potato and beans with a chocolate fudge cake for pudding it was yummy. Mark was very helpful and nice they all was he give me a pen to do the crossword while we waited for our food.

We hired a DVD to watch before we went to bed from reception they had quite a few to chose from we hired happy feet 2 it was free to hire them u have to leave a deposit but you get it back when you have finished.

The next day we got up and had breakfast you could have anything you wanted the was hot food my mom had bacon eggs tomatoes and the staff brought her out some gluten free bread she was very pleased with that I had marmalade on toast and some cereal and a banana with some apple juice mom had a coffee and a peppermint tea.

We had a look around the buildings they where beautiful I took lots of photos the older building is where Josiah Wedgwood lived at Etruria hall the lower floors is were the swimming pool is and is now where they have meeting rooms . They had painting of the Wedgwood family and Wedgwood pieces on the walls .When we walked around it had two lots of stairs in it my mom said it would have been one was for the servants and the better one was for the family, the grounds was beautiful there was even two bird tables for the bird and a little pond I saw bird drinking out of it.

We went into the town to go shopping it was only ten minutes away there are lots of things to do around the hotel water world is just across from the hotel and a cinema, bowling lots of places to eat.
Everyone was very helpful and nice.

I have asked my mom and dad next time we got to Alton towers can we stop at the hotel it is only 30 mins drive away it was really nice I liked every bit my favourite bit was the swimming pool but I also like the big room the food was lovely and the staff was always very helpful .

Thank you for letting me be a junior hotel inspector it was so much fun!

Elizabeth Gardner

So there you have it! If you like the sound of the BEST WESTERN Stoke-On-Trent Moat House and would like more information or to book your own stay, simply type in the name of the hotel into the search section of the website!

Travelling from the midlands we chose the rather relaxing means of a direct train to Edinburgh’s main Waverley station. Our journey there was particularly pleasant, on time and comfortable. Our journey back was not so much fun with a series of cancellations, delays and disinterest from Virgin trains customer service, but it wouldn’t stop us recommending train travel to Edinburgh.

The Bruntsfield hotel is situated on the outskirts of the city, so good if you’d like a decent stroll, but equally convenient to get around from by bus or taxi. In fact the very helpful staff at the hotel pointed out the bus numbers we’d need before we even asked about them.

Staff and the people of Edinburgh in general were very helpful. Everyone we came across seemed very enthused about the city, and telling us about their favourite parts and recommendations. They all came across very sincere, rather than just selling Edinburgh’s virtues out of personal interest, that of being employed largely by its tourism trade.

We dined in the hotel’s restaurant, and while we’ve always found the food at Best Western hotels to be of a high standard, I think this is the best that we have sampled so far. The restaurant manager, and our waiter, were great, again keen to share their favourite parts of the city with us, and other parties dinning with them.

Our room was very comfortable and clean. We love the personality of Best Western hotels, the split levels, the winding corridors to your room rather than the plain, drab and methodical lay out of some hotels.

There were lots we had planned, many of which we’d actually found on the Best Western website for this excellent hotel.

We didn’t really have time to make use of the cosy lounge and open fires of the hotel, as we were off discovering things around Edinburgh. Though, we hope to be back there one day, and perhaps will afford ourselves some time to put our feet up then!

Ian Newbold – http://singleparentdad.blogspot.co.uk/

She tells us about the ‘White Lady’ whose story dates back to the late 1600’s. As a governess at the Hall, the lady fell pregnant by the squire, who refused to give her money and a cottage to live. She threatened to tell his wife, and on visiting her room talk through their situation, he murdered her by slitting her throat, leaving her spirit to haunt the Darcy Suite for years to come.

Melanie tells the story of the radio mysteriously switching itself off whenever she cleaned the room and guests and staff at the hotel have reported an uneasy feeling when they enter the room. It is always cold, even when the heating is turned up, and reports of ghostly white figures have been reported.

As a Halloween ‘treat’ the breakfast presenters from Peak FM will be broadcasting a live show, and spending the night in the haunted room!

Would you dare?

How long have you worked at the hotel?
22 years. Started as a Leisure club steward, then moved to the hotel reception, then promoted to reception manager, operations manager and now General Manager.

Describe your hotel in 5 words:
Traditional
Warm
Friendly
Relaxed
Stylish

What is your favourite part of the hotel?
Harleys bar conservatory – amazing lake views

What is the one attraction/event/area that you would encourage people to visit when staying at your hotel?
Boat Trips on Lake Windermere

Tell us an interesting fact about the hotel:
Formerly a private gentleman’s residence in the 1800. Set in its own mature gardens, with amazing lake views

Have you had any celebrities staying at your hotel and if so who?
Duncan Bannatyne, Hollyoaks cast, Simon Gregson, Tricia Penrose, Vicky Entwistle, Martin Hancock

What is your favourite dish served in your restaurant?
Full English Breakfast
Rack of Gloucestershire Old Spot Pork – sweet potato fondant, green apple puree, sprouting florets and cider jus
All day Carvery

What is there to do in the local area to keep the kids entertained?
Beatrix Potter, Cruises on lake, pitch n put, onsite swimming pool and leisure club

We look forward to visiting! Click here to find out more about the hotel and to book.

With 9 years of experience at the hotel,  General Manager Jon Fletcher is ideal to tell us more about the hotel.

Describe your hotel in 5 words:

Relaxing
Friendly
Cosy
Peaceful
Delicious (the food that is)

What is your favourite part of the hotel?      

The Wessex Room, a wood panelled room that can be used for private dining, it has a lo0vely warm atmosphere in the evening.  Often, this room is set up as a lounge and over the Olympics, we have hired a large television and put the sound through the sound system.   The atmosphere has been great and we have had guests relaxing in heir and cheering on Team GB!

What is the one attraction/event/area that you would encourage people to visit when staying at your hotel? 

The town of Sherborne; it is lovely.  Independent shops, great coffee houses with homemade cakes, a beautiful abbey, two castles.  

Tell us an interesting fact about the hotel:

We have had loads of guests say that one of the rooms is haunted.   I won’t say which one!

Have you had any celebrities staying at your hotel and if so who?

John Cleese!  Stayed here for a night when he was passing through.  Honestly, the funniest man I have ever met!

What is your favourite dish served in your restaurant?

Apricot Crème Brulee, flamed at the table in front of the guest!

What is there to do in the local area to keep the kids entertained?

Longleat; such a great day out with the maze, the house, the safari boats, the safari park , pets corner and more.  Whenever we have friends with children stay with us, we use it as an excuse to go ourselves.

How long have you worked at the hotel?
3 years with the group since the first hotel and I have been at this hotel since it opened, just 1 year ago!

Describe your hotel in 5 words:
MODERN
CHIC
BRAND NEW
BESPOKE
PERSONALISED SERVICE

What is your favourite part of the hotel?
The whole hotel!!

What is the one attraction/event/area that you would encourage people to visit when staying at your hotel?
Hammersmith Apollo

Tell us an interesting fact about the hotel:
All the rooms are individually designed.

Have you had any celebrities staying at your hotel and if so who?
The Botsband

What is there to do in the local area to keep the kids entertained?
The Lyric Theatre and we’re only a short tube journey away from all the London attractions!

How long have you worked at the hotel?
18 months

Describe your hotel in 5 words:
Welcoming, great food, great staff

What is your favourite part of hotel?
1747 restaurant

What is the one attraction/event/area that you would encourage people to visit when staying at your hotel?
Scone Palace, home to all Scottish Kings and the Stone of Destiny

Tell us an interesting fact about the hotel:
It is named after the original owners cat!

Have you had any celebrities staying at your hotel and if so who?
Five Star, Average White Band, Chasing Status, Gillian McKeith had her mother’s birthday here.

What is your favourite dish served in your restaurant?
Mrs Brown’s Chicken – forget Pavlova, Peach Melba, Beef Wellington we re-named this dish after one of our regulars who has had this every Saturday for the past 7 years!!

What is there to do in the local area to keep the kids entertained?
Noah’s Ark – go-karting, ceramics, soft play area and bowling. Perth Leisure Pool. Active Kids Adventure Park

The hotel is set in a rural location, with all the facilities you would expect to make your stay a pleasant one.

How long have you worked at the hotel?
6 Years

Describe your hotel in:
Well established hotel soon to celebrate 20 years under the same ownership. Well known locally for its leisure club and excellent all day Sunday carvery. A favourite hotel for functions and weddings.

What is your favourite part of the hotel?
The Bar Lounge overlooks the indoor heated pool and it is adjacent to a small secluded garden where you can enjoy a quiet drink or something to eat.

What is the one attraction/event/area that you would encourage people to visit when staying at your hotel?
The event of the year is obviously the Olympics.  The Sailing Events will take place just down the road from the hotel in nearby Portland.

The Jurassic Coast in Dorset is England’s first natural World Heritage Site. It covers 95 miles of truly stunning coastline from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks recording 185 million years of the Earth’s history.

Tell us an interesting fact about the hotel:
A series of Elizabethan water channels run under the BEST WESTERN Hotel Rembrandt which were used to direct water to this part of the town from the former town centre.  The BEST WESTERN Hotel Rembrandt consists of several former guest houses, some dating back to the 1850′s, now combined to make up the current hotel property. One wing, formally called ‘Fir Court’ was a Victorian home for unmarried mothers called ‘St. Gabriel’s.

Have you had any celebrities staying at your hotel and if so who?
The Princess Royal, Mark Rhodes, Sam Nixon, Cannon & Ball, Danny Dyer, John Nettles, Joe Pasquale, Richard Drax MP, Jim Knight MP, Matt Baker & Connie  from Blue Peter, Lord Sebastian Coe, William Hague, Oliver Reid.

What is your favourite dish served in your restaurant?
Linguine with Tiger Prawns & Crab in a Chilli, garlic & lime sauce finished with rocket & grana padano shavings

What is there to do in the local area to keep the kids entertained?
The wide, clean and beautiful sandy beach, the SeaLife Centre and if it all fails our own indoor heated pool.