Park Plaza Nottingham - Lobby

April, 2008

Overnighted at the Park Plaza last weekend – Saturday night. Starting from the top, location makes it very tricky to park while dumping bags & spouses to check in – very busy street and no real porter. You have to pull over, throw on the hazards, throw out the bags (and spouse) and navigate your way across the traffic to the industrial car park across the street.

Hip, modern, minimalist lobby – think cement & neon. Fine. Nice staff. Gave us a room on the 10th floor with a fantastic view – very large. Definitely ask for a room on a higher floor, as the main drag, as in drawback, is just that, the main drag and all the associative noise.  Room strengths – good mini bar, crisp duvet, nice bathroom – all the modern fitments – especially welcomed after staying in cottage-ish little hotels in the English countryside.  Also great windows that actually open!  Love that.  Weaknesses – slightly rough around the edges.  The carpet in particular, gave me the willies.  Back on a positive note – the gym on the 11th floor has floor/ceiling views of the city and is actually, quite a cool, self-contained little spa. Had it all to myself on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed it very much. Another positive – staff very friendly and courteous, if somewhat hard to find at times.

Note – during weekends, this definitely appears to be a party hotel, so do expect noise and the associated hoop-la. We sat in the lobby bar (NEON bar – literally) and were endlessly amused by the cast of characters in various states of inebriation attending hens & stags nights. More of a giggle than anything. Otherwise, location is very central and Nottingham has a lot of great little boutiques and bistros – very worth exploring, not to mention the castle and famous Trip to Jerusalem pub. We would probably stay here again.