Hotel Indigo, Chester is a modern boutique hotel, surrounded by history with plentiful ancient streets and medieval architecture. This smart property is conveniently located just outside the 2,000-year-old city walls, a short walk, from the city’s famous Rows (two-tier medieval galleries of shops) and extensive shopping district, not to mention the award-winning Storyhouse Theatre and Chester Cathedral.
As soon as we entered the hotel, it felt warm and cosy, and the familiar scent of Hotel Indigo enveloped us, which relaxed us instantly after our long journey. It’s always appreciated hospitality, which we have come to expect, which feels like a home from home scenario.
We took the elevator up to our Deluxe family room, on the fourth floor past the luxurious Grosvenor suite, and our abode was at the end of the corridor where it is branded one of their ‘quiet-rooms’. This modest yet luxurious room featured two large king size beds (perfect for a family with younger children), a Nespresso coffee machine, premium toiletries, robes, slippers, and ensuite shower room.
There was much to see and do, so we didn’t hang around and linger for too long after checking in. Instead, we ventured into Chester itself and enjoyed the walk, taking in the sights and wonder of the city.
We noticed signposts to all sorts of sites and activities, including river cruises on the River Dee, Chester Castle and Cathedral, the famous city Walls, Roman Amphitheatre, and the Eastgate Clock elevated proudly in the heart of the city.
After our brisk walk and quick whistle stop tour, gin o’clock summoned us back to the hotel where we enjoyed a pre-dinner drink in the bar before our evening meal in The Forge.
We were very excited to dine at The Forge, as recently it was awarded its first 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence. Led by Head Chef, Dan Regan, the restaurant’s philosophy on food is simple – don’t overcomplicate, always over deliver, use the best sustainable ingredients, be totally delicious and make sure its memorable! Yes, to all of this, as there is clearly a passion for wild, sustainable British ingredients at the heart of its menu.
On Sunday’s, the hotel has a delicious lunch and dinner menu, and showcase some fantastic roast options. For starters, we polished off the venison sausage roll with gherkin ketchup roll and Scottish mackerel, sourdough, with fennel and grapefruit. Both were light and flavoursome, and thank goodness, as the roasts were colossal! The 12-hour roasted pork belly was juicy and delicious and arrived with some beautiful crackling. Whereas the dry aged Hereford sirloin of beef was cooked to perfection, pink and truly tasty. All roasts came with scrumptious roast potatoes (we’re connoisseurs in our household!), fresh seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and lashings of mouth-watering gravy. The kids were equally as happy with their burgers and ice cream from the kid’s menu. For us, the cheeseboard with chutney, pickled walnut, crackers, and grapes concluded this wonderful dining experience, along with a game of Uno in the bar before collapsing in our sumptuous beds.
The following morning, after a lovely, quiet night’s sleep, the breakfast didn’t disappoint. The format of continental offerings, tea or coffee and fresh juices always hit the spot, before indulging in our cooked breakfasts. It’s almost become part of a ritual with our choices and therefore, we can highly recommend, the full English breakfast, avocado on toast and bacon and maple syrup pancakes, and there’s always room for a small chocolate brownie to complete this superb morning feast.
To summarise our stay, we feel has it all, despite not having onsite parking. If you like to stay in stylish boutique hotels like us, you will be greeted with a warm welcome, charismatic rooms and modern decor with a wonderful onsite restaurant, The Forge, offering sustainable and delectable all-day dining. The hotel is charming, and the city is enchanting, for couples, small groups and families alike, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
