Places to Stay With a Hot Tub in Chester

What's on offer: six stays, several styles

BritStays currently lists six places to stay with a hot tub in the Chester area. They aren't all the same kind of holiday. The set includes two cottages, one holiday park, one caravanning site, one camping site and one hotel. That gives you a choice between self-catering and having meals and drinks laid on.

All six list a hot tub and parking, so arriving by car should be simple. Only three list WiFi. If you need to work, stream or keep children entertained in the evenings, check this before you book. Two have a restaurant and two have a bar, which matters if you'd rather not cook. Two list a picnic area, two list disabled access, and one mentions indoor areas.

Check the location details carefully

Only two of the six are listed in Chester itself: The Manor B&B and Parc Farm. The rest are recorded further out:

• Henlle Hall Cottages in Henlle, near Oswestry, Central England
• Woodland Park Lodges in Ellesmere, Central England
• Abbey Farm in Llangollen

One listing, Aylesbury Lodge, is recorded as being in Colchester, East Anglia. That's a long way from Chester, so confirm exactly where it is before you treat it as a base for this area.

None of these listings is described as coastal. If a seaside break is what you're after, this set won't give you that. It leans towards city stays and countryside lodges and cottages.

Which stay suits which trip

• Couples on a city break: The Manor B&B in Chester has a hot tub, bar and restaurant. You can eat, have a drink and unwind without moving the car.
• Active types: Parc Farm in Chester lists a swimming pool and gym as well as its hot tub. It's the one to look at if you want more than a soak.
• Families and larger groups: Woodland Park Lodges in Ellesmere sleeps 8 and has a picnic area. It's the largest capacity in this set.
• Smaller parties: Henlle Hall Cottages and Aylesbury Lodge both sleep 4. Aylesbury Lodge also lists disabled access and WiFi.
• Food on site: Abbey Farm in Llangollen has a restaurant alongside its hot tub and parking.

If you're bringing a dog, none of the details here mention pet policies. Ask the owner directly whether dogs are welcome, whether there's a charge, and whether there are rules about dogs near the hot tub.

If you need step-free access, ask specifically about getting in and out of the hot tub. A listing showing disabled access doesn't necessarily cover the tub itself.

Things to do between soaks

If you're staying in Chester, there's plenty within the city:

• Chester Zoo: the obvious full-day outing for families.
• Grosvenor Museum and Chester Castle: good for a gentler morning.

Fans of grand houses can choose from several:

• Eaton Hall and Soughton Hall
• Erddig Hall (National Trust)

For castles and heritage sites, there's:

• Chirk Castle
• Whittington Castle
• Holt Castle Ruins
• Helsby Hillfort, a National Trust site that suits anyone who wants to stretch their legs before an evening in the tub

For rainy days, there are several museums:

• Winding House in Cheshire
• Tanat Valley Light Railway Museum in Shropshire
• Amazing Novelty-Orium & Mechanical Museum in Merseyside
• The Hardmans' House in Liverpool

Trafford Watersports Centre in Cheshire and Smithills Open Farm in Lancashire are further options if you're happy to drive. Check opening times before you set off.

When to book and what to ask

With just six hot tub stays listed, choice is limited, and it narrows quickly for groups. Only one stay is listed as sleeping 8. If you're travelling as a large family or with friends, book well ahead, especially for school holidays, bank holidays and weekends.

Hot tubs are just as appealing in the colder months, so don't assume winter dates will be easy to get. Couples have slightly more flexibility, as several options suit two to four people.

Before you pay, it's worth asking a few questions:

• Is the hot tub private to your accommodation or shared with other guests?
• Is it included in the price or charged as an extra?
• Are there set hours when it can be used?
• How is it cleaned and refilled between stays?
• How many cars can you park?
• Is WiFi included, and is it reliable enough for your needs?

Get the answers in writing, then check them against your booking confirmation before you travel.