This hotel was booked as a part of an 'Alton Towers' package by my wife. Suffice to say, her knowledge of Staffordshire is limited.
This is the 'London Stansted' of 'Alton Towers' hotels.
The hotel itself is fine. Okay food, nice rooms, friendly staff and a pool.

The hotel looks a bit grim on the outside but inside is very nicely decorated.
Room was clean if a bit bit small, but fine for one night. Bed was a standard double, bit soft but we still slept well and it was quiet. Shower was delightful, hot and powerful, lovely!
Check in was a bit tricky due to a combination of screens, masks, music from the open plan bar area and kids running round the area screaming. We felt sorry for the poor receptionist having to repeat everything three times!
We were also asked what time we wanted to book our breakfast slot:0830 or 09:30 and went for 09:30.
Well that must have been a joke because on arriving a few minutes early the queue spiralled round the reception area. Though after about 15 minutes we were shown a table and told someone would take our tea or coffee request.
We then had to queue up another 30 minutes, yes you read correctly 30 minutes, for hot food!!
One tiny hot-food station served by one very busy lady.
Due to covid, you're not allowed to touch the ladels yourself, which is fine. There was no juices out either, again, fine.
However no one came to ask us if we wanted a drink and whilst in the insufferable queue for food, one lady asked three times for a drink.
Two children pushed in and asked for a feast each and were promptly served, to the immense annoyance of everyone in the queue watching and waiting.
The procedure they have in place does not work, clearly. Why ask what time slot we wanted?
Now it was not the server's fault at the hot food station, she was friendly and I felt sorry for her, trying to get the queue down single handedly.
But the procedures need to change: more hot food stations, more people serving, more staff making sure people have drinks or even table service. Many people were grumbling, as well as their tummies, and it ruined what up til then had been a nice stay. Almost an hour's wait for breakfast, after you have booked a slot is unacceptable, it's not difficult.
Another complaint I have, possibly my biggest, the hot-food station did not have a glass cover to protect it from people breathing all over it. It had one over the top but all sides were open, so children were breathing all over it as they don't wear masks, people's fingers were in there pointing at things, just defeats the object of putting all other measures in place really.
Check out was another irritating process, one receptionist who was busy with another patron, whilst another staff member came over, eyeballs us and walked into the back room with no acknowledgment. Just rude.

Enjoyed a safe stay at this hotel. Good Covid precautions in place, table service for dinner and plenty of hand sanitiser available.

Room was comfortable, enjoyed a good nights sleep, although did require a little bit of maintenance (needs a lick of paint). Staff were friendly and polite. Decent view while eating breakfast.