Blackpool's High Tide: Epic Photos & SHOCKING Secrets Revealed!
Blackpool's High Tide: Epic Photos & SHOCKING Secrets Revealed! - A Brutally Honest Review (Because, Let's Be Real)
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. This isn't your sanitized, corporate review. This is me, a semi-sane human, spilling the beans on Blackpool's High Tide, armed with all the "facilities" and "services" a hotel throws at you. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna be a wild ride.
First Impressions (and the Strenuous Climb to the Room):
"High Tide"… the name evokes drama, doesn't it? Promises of epic photographic moments and juicy secrets? Yes, please! The website photos, of course, are all airbrushed perfection. Real life? Well… let's just say it's a bit more… lived-in.
The elevator? Let's just say it exists. But I'm pretty sure I saw some wires hanging in the back, so I opted for the stairs. Not a huge issue, unless you're lugging a suitcase the size of a small child (which, sadly, I was). Accessibility is mentioned, but let's be honest, navigating those initial corridors, and the potential wait for the elevator, might be a challenge for some. However, they do have facilities for disabled guests. So, there's that.
The Room: A Cozy, Slightly Chaotic, But Mostly Alright Hideaway
Alright, the room. Okay, it wasn't exactly what I envisioned based on the online pictures. No dramatic ocean views (though I'm pretty sure some rooms might have some view) and the decor was… let's say "eclectic." Think "cozy grandmother’s attic meets modern minimalism attempt".
Available in all rooms: (Deep breath) Air conditioning (thank god!), Alarm clock (I actually used it!), Bathrobes (fancy!), Bathroom phone (who uses those anymore?!), Bathtub (score!), Blackout curtains (essential for those Blackpool late-night escapades!), Carpeting (a tad worn in places), Closet (needed it!), Coffee/tea maker (always a win!), Complimentary tea (excellent!), Daily housekeeping (a godsend!), Desk (barely used it!), Extra long bed (appreciated!), Free bottled water (hydration is key!), Hair dryer (essential!), High floor (wasn't super high, but hey!), In-room safe box (never used it!), Interconnecting room(s) available (dunno, didn't need 'em!), Internet access – LAN (huh?! Who uses this anymore?!) Internet access – wireless (thank the Wi-Fi gods!), Ironing facilities (meh), Laptop workspace (also meh, used the desk!), Linens (clean, thank goodness!), Mini bar (empty, unfortunately!), Mirror (yep!), Non-smoking (thank you!), On-demand movies (finally, something I liked!), Private bathroom (yep!), Reading light (yep again!), Refrigerator (also empty!), Safety/security feature (yep, I assume!), Satellite/cable channels (yep again!), Scale (I chickened out…), Seating area (kinda… there's a chair!), Separate shower/bathtub (nice!), Shower (yep!), Slippers (luxury!), Smoke detector (hopefully working!), Socket near the bed (YES!), Sofa (nope!), Soundproofing (questionable), Telephone (again, who uses these!), Toiletries (meh), Towels (clean!), Umbrella (yep!), Visual alarm (hope I don't need this!), Wake-up service (used the alarm clock!), Wi-Fi [free] (essential, and it worked!), Window that opens (hallelujah!).
So, a lot of boxes ticked, right? It’s a home base. Flaws and all.
Internet Access: Pray for the Wi-Fi Gods (or, You Know, LAN)
The Internet access – wireless was… spotty. Look, I know, I'm spoiled. But I'm also a millennial who relies on the internet for, well, everything. The Internet access – LAN? Forget about it. Who even HAS a LAN cable anymore? So, yeah, the Wi-Fi… prepare for moments of buffering frustration. They do offer Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas, but don't expect miracles. Honestly, it felt like the building was actively fighting my attempts to connect on multiple occasions. If you rely on the internet for work, pack a hotspot. Seriously.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag of Breakfasts and Booze
Breakfast [buffet] was a thing. I'm talking the usual suspects: sad-looking sausages, scrambled eggs that had seen better days, and a variety of cereals that I'm pretty sure were older than me. The Breakfast service itself was… well, chaotic. Servers seemed a bit overwhelmed. There was a Coffee/tea in restaurant, but the coffee tasted like it had been brewing since, well, the dawn of time. They did have Western breakfast and the more exotic (for me) Asian breakfast. I’m a sucker for a Buffet in restaurants, so I dove in, but don’t expect Michelin stars. The place does have restaurants, and a bar, with a Poolside bar thrown in for good measure (though I'm not sure where the pool is…more on that later). Surprisingly, they had Vegetarian restaurant options! The Snack bar was there if you needed it, and you can get Bottle of water -- which is a nice touch. The Room service [24-hour] felt like a gamble: Could I get anything decent at 3 AM? I'm not brave enough to try. A la carte in restaurant is available. Alternative meal arrangement? Probably? They were pretty easygoing. They even offered Asian cuisine in restaurant. Oh, and the Happy hour…well, that was pretty happy!
The Pool…Where is the Pool? (and Other Amenities):
This is where things get…interesting. They list a Swimming pool [outdoor] and a Pool with view. Maybe I missed it. Maybe it's a mirage. Maybe it's a secret. I spent a good chunk of time wandering around, looking for this mythical pool. I asked the staff, and they gave me that look. You know the one. The "I work here, but I have no idea what's going on" look. They also mention a Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, and a Fitness center. These all seemed to be separate. Again, I hunted… but I could find none. If you're craving a relaxing spa day, you might be disappointed. There was a Gym/fitness area… it might be worth skipping. Body scrub and Body wrap? Doubt it! Foot bath? Probably not. Massage ? Maybe…
But Seriously, Where is the Pool?
This is the missing piece of the puzzle, the secret Blackpool's High Tide isn't telling. It's like the hotel version of the Bermuda Triangle… a vortex of baffling lack. I’m sure the pool is somewhere, but my investigative instincts failed me.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax:
Okay, so beyond the possible phantom pool, what CAN you do to Relax? The Spa/sauna is there, theoretically. Family/child friendly? Seems like it, from the kids running around. The potential of a place to relax might be the Terrace, which offered a bit of fresh air. If you're looking for a chill-out spot, maybe this isn't the best choice. If you want to see the Shrine that is mentioned, then get out there and do it!
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized (in theory):
Look, let's be honest, with all the travel around, and given the ongoing situation, seeing hotels go above and beyond is important. They mention Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. There's also Hand sanitizer readily available, and the staff seems trained in Staff trained in safety protocol. They have Hygiene certification – which is a good sign. Individually-wrapped food options show they are trying. I didn't spot any Sterilizing equipment, but I'm not a hotel inspector. They also offer Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They have a Cashless payment service to minimize contact, and Physical distancing of at least 1 meter is a must. Shared stationery removed is nice. They do appear to be trying to keep things clean, and that's definitely appreciated.
Around the Hotel - Getting Around, etc.:
**Car park
Niagara Falls' ICONIC Hotel: Unbelievable Views & Luxury Await!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, pristine travel itinerary. We're going full Blackpool brash! This is my trip to High Tide Blackpool, warts and all. Prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that is… me… in Blackpool.
High Tide Blackpool: A Chaotic Chronicle
Day 1: Arrival and Coastal Craziness (aka "Don't Forget Your Wellington Boots!")
10:00 AM: Landed in Blackpool (or more accurately, the train coughed me up at Blackpool North station). The air? Salty. The sky? Grumbling. Already I can feel the Blackpool magic seeping in. Immediately got hit with a blast of sea air. My hair exploded, a bad omen. Stood for a minute. Took it all in.
10:30 AM: Checked into the B&B. "The Sea Breezes," they called it. More like "The Sea Squeaks" based on the state of the floorboards. The landlady, bless her cotton socks, seemed friendly enough. "Don't worry, love, the noise is just the ghosts of past holidaymakers having a dance-off!" she cackled. Right, then.
11:00 AM: First walk. The promenade. Blimey. It's like a giant funfair exploded onto the coastline. The wind was a beast, whipping my scarf into a frenzy. I swear I saw a seagull sporting a tiny, ill-fitting toupee… probably snatched it from some poor bloke on a windy day.
12:00 PM: Lunch! Fish and chips. The proper kind. Wrapped in newspaper, drowning in vinegar, and eaten on a bench overlooking the sea. Bliss. Except when a rogue seagull tried to snatch a chip and nearly took my eye out in the process. Bloody seagulls.
1:00 PM: The Beach. The sky had turned angry. The sea, a frothing, grey monster. I had grand plans of paddling, building a sandcastle, and being all serene. Didn't quite go to plan. Turns out the wind and the waves are not conducive to sandcastle construction. After 10 minutes of futile attempts, I surrendered to the elements. My trousers were soaked. I was covered in sand from head to toe. I looked like a drowned rat that had been through a tumble dryer. And then, laughter. I mean, it was a disaster, but it was a hilarious disaster. I wanted to play on the beach for hours.
4:00 PM: The Tower. Iconic. Amazing. Got seriously dizzy going up it. I'm not good with heights. That view though. Staring from the top the sea, the town, everything looks different. I was stunned.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a pub. The "Golden Goblet." Ordered the "Blackpool Special" (a mystery meat pie with chips and gravy). Honestly? Edible. Cheap. Cheerful. And surrounded by the local chatter. People were talking. Singing. Laughing. It was chaotic. It was beautiful.
8:00 PM: Show time. "Blackpool Rocks!" – a variety show at one of the piers. Glitter. Sequins. Bad jokes. Brilliant. I laughed so hard my sides hurt. It was gloriously, unashamedly, Blackpool.
10:00 PM: Back to the Sea Squeaks. Sound of the waves. The wind. Exhausted. Couldn't sleep. The ghosts were definitely having a rave.
Day 2: Pier Pressure and Pleasure Beach Panic!
9:00 AM: Breakfast. Toast. Tea. A view of the sea. And the realization that my trousers hadn't yet dried. Ah, the glamorous life.
10:00 AM: The Pier. The South Pier. More wind. More seagulls. Had a go at the amusement arcades. Lost a quid on a claw machine. Spent ten minutes trying to win a fluffy unicorn. Failed. Swore. Left.
11:00 AM: Blackpool Pleasure Beach! Oh my God. Rollercoasters. Thrills. Screaming children. I am actually afraid of heights but I thought I can handle it. I was so wrong. The Big One. I just couldn't. I chickened out. Went on a smaller ride. A gentle, slightly boring ride. But still… managed to make the kids scream.
1:00 PM: The Pleasure Beach lunch. More chips, naturally. And a hot dog that was suspiciously bright red.
2:00 PM: Wandered around. The atmosphere in the pleasure beach is so great. I couldn't stop smiling. The place's vibe got me.
4:00 PM: Left. Spent my last few hours walking through the place. It was a lot of fun.
6:00 PM: Dinner in a new place. Fish and chips again. I was starting to feel the spirit of Blackpool.
8:00 PM: Show time. Another show, more laughs. Feeling happy.
10:00 PM: Back. More ghosts. More sea. Sleep, maybe.
Day 3: Farewells and Fish-and-Chips (and a Touch of Sadness)
9:00 AM: Last breakfast. The landlady, bless her, made me a proper full English. I ate it all.
10:00 AM: One last walk along the promenade. Feeling bittersweet. Blackpool, in all its gaudy, chaotic glory, had gotten under my skin. I'd be back. I know it.
12:00 PM: Train home. Stuffed a last bag of chips into my face.
1:00 PM: Blackpool, you mad, magnificent beast. You've been a tonic. Thanks for the laughs, the memories, and the slightly soggy trousers. I'll see you again soon.
Postscript:
My takeaway from this trip? Blackpool is not for the faint of heart. It's loud. It's brash. It's slightly bonkers. But it's also full of heart, humor, and a spirit of pure, unadulterated joy. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Don't expect perfection. Expect adventure. And pack your Wellington boots. You might just need them!
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Blackpool High Tide: Epic Photos & SHOCKING Secrets Revealed! (A Messy FAQ)
So, like, High Tide in Blackpool... What's the ACTUAL deal? Is it just water, innit?
Okay, Spill the Tea. Are the Photos REALLY as epic as they look?
SHOCKING Secrets?! C’mon, are we talking buried treasure? Mob bosses? Aliens?
Best time to see the High Tide? And how do I EVEN know when it is?
Is it Safe? Like, am I going to be swept out to sea?
Any Must-See spots or tips for Photographing the Blackpool High Tide?
Favorite memory associated with Blackpool's High Tide (good or bad)?
Should I go? Is it worth the trip?
