Splash Landings Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent

The Splash Landings Hotel is one of two hotels attached to the Alton Towers Resort. The Alton Towers main hotel is completely separate to this and if you have stayed there before it is worth keeping that in mind. The Splash Landings Hotel has a very 'cheap' feel about it. While I appreciate it is themed around the Carba Creek Waterpark (which is within the hotel) it does feel a bit mid-range at times, especially for what you are paying. That being said, I arrived early with my three year old son for a waterpark pirate weekend on 20th January. Although check-in wasn't until 2/3pm, we arrived off the train at about 1pm and was given a room straight away. It was just a shame that that room was so poor. It felt dated and scruffy but the main issue was the noise. We were located at the end of a corridor on the floor with all of the evening entertainment. There was noise until the entertainment stopped (10.30pm) and then beyond this as people who have stayed up a little later for a few drinks swung in and out of the corridor. The best was really uncomfortable and that in conjunction with the noise from other guests made it a terrible nights stay. I was absolutely exhausted the day after and was on my own with a toddler for the whole day who also got very little sleep. Such a nightmare. The waterpark however was outstanding and has had some renovation work done. It was great. Lots of slides for older kids but I was really pleased to learn that my three year old could come down a couple of flumes on my knee. Made the visit a lot more exciting and memorable for both of us. There is a wet play park on the top floor which is basically an outdoor park which is flooded with water and lots of spraying and tipping things. Good fun. Lazy river was fab and there was three other pools which were great for young children as well as older ones. Lovely and clean, great lockers and changing areas. 2 x £1 coins needed for the lockers. I was a little disappointed that you couldn't take photographs anymore in the waterpark but apparently this is standard now. I was told when I went into the shop to buy a waterproof camera. We chose to dine at the Secret Garden Restaurant and that really was fantastic. Excellent food and excellent service. We had 2/3 courses each and a drink each and it did come to £45, so slightly more than I'd normally spend on me and my son for a meal but we were on holiday so I let it slide. I did have to go over to the other hotel with him to use this restaurant though. It's not within the Splash Landings Hotel, but you can book via the telephone in your Slash Landings hotel room. The buffet area in the Splash Landings hotel is where we unfortunately had to dine at breakfast time. We were in as soon as it opened due to a sleepless night and a grotty coffee and canteen style set-up was the last thing I needed to be greeted with. Food was all you could eat, which I expect makes them a bomb seeing as it would be hard to eat very much at all. The evening entertainment on the Friday night looked promising but there was nowhere to sit and as I travelled on my own with a young child it wasn't as if I could leave him with friends or older brothers and sisters and wait at a distance for them to enjoy the shows. It was a real shame and not very welcoming at all. I did complain to the manager the day after our stay and this is not something I normally do. They did attempt to resolve the issue by offering us another stay to make things right at a reduced cost. I have yet to book again. 2* for the Waterpark and the check-in.