The Travelista

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborations
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Travel
    • Destinations by World Map
    • Hotels
    • Airlines
    • Restaurants
    • Itineraries
  • Life
    • Yorkshire
    • Style
  • Motherhood
  • Inspire Me
    • Adventure
    • Beach
    • City
    • Culture
    • Mountain
    • Tropical
  • Shop
    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Our Stylish and Family Friendly Apartment in Chester

14/01/20 ᛫ 5 Comments

Doing this travel blogging gig for over 7 years has given me quite a high standard when it comes to hotels and apartments. I don’t mean that in the sense that everything has to be 5 star. But I want style, I want comfort and above all, I want a convenient and accessible location. Now that I’ve had a baby I don’t want to have to compromise these things or lower my standards when looking for places to stay. That said, it’s tough. There are so many more things to consider when you’re staying in a hotel or an apartment with a baby, so finding great family-friendly accommodation often seems tricky. That’s why I want to tell you all about the amazing family friendly apartment in Chester which we stayed in in December 2019.

About Oddfellows Hotel, Chester

The apartment we stayed in is part of the Oddfellows Hotel, a characterful 4 star hotel in central Chester. The hotel features a modern restaurant, stylish bar and boutique rooms all within a historic Georgian building. What is unique about the Oddfellows Hotel is that it also has a handful of apartments which are located in a separate building, on a quiet street just a few minutes walk from the main hotel. The apartments come with their own kitchen, lounge area and ground floor parking spaces.

We stayed in 'Apartment One' during our Chester mini break which had two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and 3 bathrooms. There was ample space in the apartment and it turned out to be an amazing choice for our December family break to Chester.

Reasons Why I Loved our Oddfellows Family Friendly Apartment in Chester

  • It was a self-catering apartment with a fully equipped kitchen. There was a microwave for warming his food, a kettle for preparing his bottle feeds and a huge fridge to store everything. The kitchen also came with all the crockery, cutlery and pans that you could need to cook a meal.
  • The decor was quirky and characterful, meaning we didn’t have to compromise style over function. I loved the stylish velvet sofa.
  • The apartment and parking space were both at ground level, meaning easy pram access and easy car unloading
  • There was plenty of space to leave the pram in the entrance hall
  • An Ikea Antilop high chair was provided
  • A travel cot was supplied on request in one of the bedrooms, complete with clean sheets
  • There was a bath in one of the bathrooms. Perfect for keeping Theo’s evening bath time routine whilst we were away
  • The whole apartment was incredibly spacious and felt very clean and safe for Theo to crawl around and explore (under our supervision)
  • White company toiletries for a bit of luxury
  • A breakfast hamper was delivered to our door every morning with fresh fruit, yoghurt, bread, butter, milk, eggs and meat for a cooked breakfast. It also included Weetabix for Theo which was a very thoughtful touch
  • It had a dishwasher which gave us a much-appreciated break from washing up
  • The king size beds were extremely comfortable and had definitely had that luxurious hotel feel.

Dining at Cultivated, Oddfellows Hotel

On the first night of our two night stay at Oddfellows, we dined in the hotel restaurant. As we had Theo in tow, we reserved our table ridiculously early which meant we were the first diners of the night. We received a friendly welcome from the waiter who showed us to our table. I was impressed that a high chair had already been set out on the table, following our reservation of 2 adults and 1 baby.

Instead of two starters we opted for three dishes from their small plates menu. Sticking to a festive theme, we went for breaded camembert with cranberry sauce, pigs in blankets and candied cashew nuts. For the main course I went for sea bream which was beautifully cooked and came in a delicious sauce. Dessert was an orange bakewell tart which I thoroughly enjoyed. Dining at the hotel was so easy and stress-free but the price points are definitely at the higher end which is something to consider.

Pram and Disabled Access at Oddfellows Hotel

The main entrance to the Oddfellows Hotel is up a long flight of stairs. From first impressions this looks incredibly unfriendly to prams and wheelchairs, but the hotel does have an accessible ramp entrance around the back. Although this access is available, I was definitely glad to be staying to be staying in an apartment rather than the main hotel.

What did you think of my review? Would you stay in this family friendly apartment in Chester? I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions to please leave a comment in the box below. Jess x

What's next?

  • Check out our baby-free getaway in the Yorkshire Dales
  • Read more reviews of The Oddfellows Hotel

Our stay at the Oddfellows Hotel in Chester and dinner at Cultivated was provided on a complimentary basis in exchange for blog coverage. All words, views and images are my own. My trip to Chester in partnership with Marketing Cheshire.

 

5 Comments

Related Posts

  • 50th Birthday Celebrations at Sopwell House, St Albans
  • Lady Bettys Afternoon Tea in Harrogate
  • Ocean Bliss at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Cornwall
« A Winter Getaway in Settle, Yorkshire Dales
17 Reasons to visit Sri Lanka »

Comments

  1. thetravelsofmrsbLaura says

    6th February 2020 at 11:47 am

    It looks like you all had a great stay. I do love staying in an apartment, nothing like having all that space!

    Reply
  2. Globetrotting Lottie says

    19th January 2020 at 8:09 pm

    I live just dow the road from Chester. I’ve always fancied staying the night though and this apartment looks lush – also White Company toiletries – winning haha!

    Reply
    • Jess Gibson says

      22nd January 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks for your comment Lottie! It’s a great little spot in Chester. You’re lucky to live in such a nice place!

      Reply
  3. Angie Silver says

    17th January 2020 at 10:29 am

    What a beautifully stylish stay!! We’re getting used to those early dinners now too lol!

    Reply
    • Jess Gibson says

      22nd January 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Hehe the early dinners…when you’re the only ones in the restaurant :p

      Reply

Spark a conversation! Cancel reply

Jess is an an award-winning travel blogger based in Yorkshire, navigating the world as a new Mum to baby Theo. Blogging about adventures both local and global.

Read More

Booking.com

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!

Latest Posts

The Best Places to Stay in Florence

Woolacombe Beach

A Toddler-Friendly Holiday in North Devon

Our Mini Adventures: 5 Family Friendly Days Out in Yorkshire

Follow on Instagram

Yesterday I had knee surgery to repair my torn car Yesterday I had knee surgery to repair my torn cartilage and finally unlock my knee. After a long wait and 3 cancelled surgery dates, I managed to get transferred to the trauma list at Leeds General Infirmary, which was a very, brilliant, last minute plot twist. 

I will need a second surgery to repair my torn ACL ligament in a few months, but yesterday’s surgery will allow me to get back on my feet and walking again which is the most important thing. Yesterday brought many PTSD triggers surrounding Theo’s birth, but I kept reading over the affirmations I wrote with @naomipsychotherapist as well as calming breath work. I am proud of myself for getting through the day.

I’m now back home recovering, very sore and drowsy from meds but feeling relieved and grateful that everything went well. The staff were wonderful and all truly deserve medals for what they do. Now time to rest, start gentle movements and ultimately get back on my feet ☺️💪🏼💫
Do you ever find yourself day dreaming about that Do you ever find yourself day dreaming about that first holiday post-Covid? Do you ever think about how profound it will feel? I wrote a poem about it to escape these long, dark days.

Warm skin, 
Frizzy hair. 
Soul alight, 
Without a care. 

Tanned legs, 
After sun. 
Mind is calm, 
Just having fun.

A day of new experience, 
Has just taken place. 
You embrace the unfamiliar, 
And every new and friendly face. 

The sun begins to set, 
And tomorrow is unplanned. 
You sip on something cold,
Toes buried in the sand. 

Midas touch is on the horizon, 
Peace is in your heart. 
Surrounded by those you love,
This moment is a work of art. 

Something feels different, 
You've seen sunsets before. 
But all your sense are heightened, 
You feel it at your core. 

Over a year of loss and struggle, 
The entire world is healing. 
Simple, little, wild things, 
Now have so much meaning.

As the sun sets, 
You realise the magnitude.
All you’re feeling in this moment, 
Is a new found sense of gratitude. 💫
Hey guys 👋🏼 This is my little self-developme Hey guys 👋🏼 This is my little self-development project. On 1st January I set some new intentions (not resolutions). The main one was to try and start waking up 1 hour earlier (I am not a morning person). But I wanted to make a change to start each day slowly and mindfully; to wake up and put my own needs first. Usually I would roll out of bed and be straight into Mum mode. Now I sit in silence with a hot cup of tea. Honestly, it has transformed my mornings and I can’t believe I’ve not done it sooner. Here are a few things I’ve been doing in my new daily hour of mental self care; 

⭐️1. The 5 Minute Journal - This book has been the greatest gift I have received in a long time. It has helped me to find gratitude in the smallest things, even when the world feels like its falling apart. I start my hour by filling out this journal. @fiveminutejournal 

⭐️2. Affirmations - I bought these beautiful affirmation cards from @lovaine_store on Etsy. Each morning I pick out a new affirmation and write it in my journal. Then I pluck another from my head. They're definitely teaching me to be kinder to myself and make me feel mentally stronger.

⭐️3. Mindfulness - After my journal I practice a guided meditation using the @calm app. 13 days in, I feel a lot more clarity. Tomorrow I’m also starting an 8 week mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy course with @natalieenglander. I am a novice and I am excited to learn more.

Whilst we all feel like we have very little control over our lives right now, the one thing we CAN still control is our mindset. If you’re feeling frazzled and overwhelmed by the world right now, I really can’t recommend trying things enough ✨ 

What are you doing to look after your mental well-being right now? It’s brutal at the moment. Take care guys 💓
When your knee surgery gets cancelled AGAIN. If I When your knee surgery gets cancelled AGAIN. If I don’t laugh I’ll cry 😅 Another month on crutches for me. At least I got to see my boy experience snow for the first time today instead. Will keep being grateful for the small things ✨
Hey guys! I’ve decided to sign off IG for the fe Hey guys! I’ve decided to sign off IG for the festive period to focus on my family and my mental health. My knee surgery was booked for today but it has been cancelled last minute as the surgeon has tested positive for Covid. Classic. To say I am devastated is an understatement. I’ve cried many, many tears.

This means despite already isolating for 14 days, we need to continue isolating over Christmas in the hope that I can get the surgery on 29th December instead. So like all of you in tier 4, we will also be having a merry ‘little’ Christmas as a family of 3. We’ve spent Christmas before in hospital with Theo in an incubator, so to have him home and healthy is still a big step up from that. 

Still being on crutches after 7 weeks, I am stuck in a very frustrating situation. I am feeling low but trying to pick myself up and focus on the one thing I can control right now: my mindset. I still want to make Christmas special for our little boy despite the unwanted plot twist (shout out to my dad who is currently scouring supermarkets trying to piece together a Christmas food shop for us). 🙌🏼🥴

Merry Christmas guys. What a year. We can only try to make the very best of the cards we’ve been dealt. Stay safe and keep it little. See you all soon ✨🎄✨
⚡️FESTIVE NEWS FLASH ⚡️ 🌟You don’t n ⚡️FESTIVE NEWS FLASH ⚡️

🌟You don’t need matching family pyjamas to have a good Christmas.

🌟You don’t need to make a Christmas Eve Box to be a great parent.

⭐You don’t need expensive Christmas days out to make it magical.

🌟You don’t need to watch Christmas films in a tidy, ambient room.

🌟You don’t need a perfect, colour coordinated Christmas tree.

🌟You don’t need to overindulge if you don’t want to.

🌟You don’t need a sprawling mass of presents under the tree.

🌟You don’t need to cook everything featured on the Jamie Oliver Christmas special.

🌟Hell, you don’t even need to change out of that trusty loungewear set you’ve been wearing all year.

💓 Embrace the chaos and all the things that make your Christmas unique. Stop letting social media trick you into thinking you don’t have it all. Honey, you do 💓

Merry Christmas and thank you for following us this year, love from me and Theo 🎄✨

(Inspired by Bd Blogs)

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Subscribe for Travelista updates and newsletters

Latest Video

  • 3847likes
  • 19680followers
  • 10425followers
  • 1860subscribers

Copyright © 2021 · Design by Gatto

Copyright © 2021 · The Travelista on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact