The Mill Hotel and Spa Destination was recommended to us by friends, and we are so glad they did, what a gem. It was close to the town centre about a ten minute walk away. We could not fault anything will be going back for my birthday in october.

Stayed the night of 18 January here. I chose the Mill because it was reasonably central, without having the prices of the Grosvenor, and also because it had parking.

My satnav found us the way easily, but my heart sank as we neared the hotel - it looked as if it was in a very sleazy part of town, whereas from the map I thought it was just outside Chester.

We parked right outside the hotel and checked in. The young man at the desk was amiable and efficient. I asked him how to get to the town centre, and he whipped out a map, telling us it would take no more than three minutes. I asked him to recommend a restaurant and I was forthwith presented with a list of dozens.

My wife asked if the room was quiet. "Oh yes," replied the clerk, "it's on the fifth floor overlooking the canal, so it'll be quiet". We made our way from reception through a large bar which stank of stale beer and found the room (504). "It may be overlooking the canal" said the wife, "but it's also overlooking the main road, right below." This was true, but the soundproofing was extraordinarily efficient, and we were never once disturbed by traffic.

The hotel is a converted "mill" right on the Ellesmere canal: it was apparently a corn mill, built in 1830. Converted with some degree of sensitivity, the brick walls and many beams are still in place. The room was comfortable, although the lighting was somewhat eccentric and weak. The bed was on the borderline of comfort, the mattress having a very slight sag, but we slept well enough. The bathroom was functional and perfectly adequate. Everything was quite clean and all machines functioned, with the exception of the radio alarm clock, which didn't.

As for being in the "sleazy" part of town, well, the area didn't fill one with confidence, but we walked to the town centre and back at 8 p.m. and didn't feel in the least bit insecure.

The breakfast buffet was excellent, one of the better I have had. The sausages, fried eggs, potato cakes, were all beautifully dry, not greasy at all, and the coffee was delicious. The service was as friendly as could be (well, it's the north of England, so one can expect some compensation...). We asked for a boiled egg (not in the buffet) and it came quickly without question or fuss.

Checkout was fast and problem-free. All in all we were pleasantly surprised, and would certainly contemplate returning here the next time we are in Chester.

Bit disappointed, very basic hotel have had better b&bs for a lot less. Standard rooms are just that - dark with not enough lighting, bathroom has very cheap loo paper, cheap bath gel in pump dispenser that went out in the eighties!! Food was ok - but just that!
booked for the january Champagne break - ice bucket ws dirty and cracked - champgne was nice tho. Breakfast was also very basic cheap and nasty sausages, tea and coffee nearly cold.
Only redeeming feature was most of the staff were very pleasant- waitress at breakfast was chewing gum, one of my bugbears!
Smoke alarm in room had that much dust in it i doubt it would have worked in an emergency - in all overpriced for what we had - would not return or recommend!

stayed over xmas one year brilliant, entertainment was first class. the best hotel ive ever stayed , staff are exellent, and the food and choice of wines second to none.