Sir John Vanbrugh, perhaps the most decorated of Chester residents and among the finest of British architects of all time, once remarked that, 'Building a home has been difficult enough. What, then, of building cities? Countries, anyone? The World?,
In a broad enough viewpoint, these words resound with meaning and significance like few other. What Sir Vanbrugh had in mind while uttering these immortal words is quite truly exhibited by his hometown of Chester, Cheshire. Often regarded as a city that has been rebuilt over and over again, Chester still hasn't lost an ounce of its passion for life, its charisma to draw in newer people and its influence over the ones who are already living there.
Resting on the banks of the picturesque River Dee, Chester of the 21st century is a bustling city that houses more than 300,000 people. Its residents hail from various parts of the world, making Chester a real melting pot of races, languages, cultures and customs. Being among the most popular, and indeed, among the last of the walled cities of England, Chester has done well to realize and preserve its unique heritage in a way that few other cities have been able to.
Budget Hotels in Chester
Chester is not, quite admittedly, among the hottest of tourist destinations in the UK. However, that is not enough to change the fact that one can easily find traditionally kept cheap hotels and bed and breakfast establishments throughout the city of Chester with great ease. These establishments are chiefly run in order to provide people visiting Chester on business, or for pleasure, with affordable and pleasant accommodation to make their stay satisfactory.
Even though these places, much expectedly, do not provide high end services like in-house round the clock room service, they are usually good enough to expect satisfactory accommodation from.
Luxury Hotels in Chester
If budget accommodation is not really your cup of tea, worry not, because Chester many other options all in the open for you. For travelers and tourists who love to spend money in order to get a classy, high-end treatment during their trip, there are over two dozen luxury hotels in Chester that can stand up to lofty expectations.
Among the usual suspects are the Crowne Plaza, Grosvenor Chester and Edgar House. The last one, Edgar House, is situated on the banks of River Dee and is, perhaps, the best of the lot in terms of scenic beauty and the local reputation. The hotel is known to provide its guests with a complete package of lavish hotel stay and fully inclusive local sightseeing and guided tours.
Another remarkable property in Chester is the Double Tree Chester by Hilton. Formerly an aristocratic mansion, the property has now been turned into a state of the art royal hotel that gives its patrons a feel of what it must be like to be a Victorian aristocrat in balmy, sleepy and rural England.
Boutique and Independent Hotels in Chester
We have covered budget and luxury hotels in Chester so far. In addition to these cheap hotels and incredibly steeply priced mansions, there is a curious third kind that has evolved during recent times.
Independent and boutique hotel establishments in Chester are not only comfortable and convenient, they are usually very fairly priced. From converted holiday homes to antique villas and from room based rentals to family based guest houses, Chester has them all.
What Should I Know Before Sightseeing in Chester?
If you are planning a trip to Chester, you should know that Chester is a city that you can typically see around in a couple of days. Perhaps that the main reason why many Liverpool residents seem to make a trip to Chester during weekends. When you are in Chester, you will come across heaps of historical sites and buildings. So, to really get the hang of what you are seeing or are about to see, you need to be at least mildly versed in Chester's history. Otherwise, there's a high chance that you will end up not enjoying the sightseeing stints in Chester.
If you are a football fan, you will realize that making short trips to Liverpool is quite easy and rewarding. You can visit the Anfield “ that famed home of the Liverpool FC and see up close how the football machinery of one of the most talked about clubs in the world really operates. Also, talking of Liverpool, a mention of the Beatles cannot escape, regardless of the context. For true Beatlemaniacs, Liverpool holds a treasure trove of memorabilia and collectibles, with a fat chance for posing against famous Beatles landmarks.
Back in Chester again, gamblers and sports enthusiasts can visit the famous Chester Racecourse and perhaps, try their hand at one of the many horse races that are always on. As far as architecture is concerned, Chester Cathedral is one among the best in England. It wouldn't really be an overstatement to say that every other building in Chester, to new eyes, looks like an architectural wonder.
For those who visit Chester along with a family comprising of children, a visit to the Chester Zoo can be quite a fun outing. The Chester Zoo is aimed at educating as well as entertaining people through various placards, audio-visual shows and documentaries.
On the food front, sightseers should remember that Chester holds many hidden gems of restaurants “ from Sticky Walnuts to Hanky Panky Pancakes “ that are guaranteed to appeal to your taste buds with some true English cuisine.
Hotels Near Airport in Chester
Hawarden Airport is the nearest airport to the city of Chester, and often referred to as Chester Airport. Tourists generally find it difficult to locate a good hotel near the airport as the city centre is over 5 miles away from the airport. That said, there are still some affordable establishments in the vicinity of Hawarden Airport. They are, however, not really comparable with other Chester hotels.
Best Time to Travel to Chester
To get the best deal with Chester hotels, you will probably choose the option of traveling to Chester in the slow season “ from October to December. Otherwise, the summer months of March to June are always the safest bet.