Reviews - Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel

Visit to locality

Re-visited some years later
We regularly visit the area to see relatives and mainly stay in Premier Inns or similar but thought we would pay the extra to stay at a hotel I was familiar with, from a few years back. Read all about the re-furbishment and the uprated facilities, so really looking forward to our stay. Somewhat surprised to find the entrance way was exactly as I remembered but then more pleased with the reception area and ground floor lounge decoration.
Only used the restaurant for Sunday lunch with family (6 adults & 4 Children). Apart from one other family of similar size to our party, no other takers. Nothing outstanding about the food and no seperate childrens choice, so it was a good job ours eat proper food. Priced at the upper end of a Sunday lunch menu, the food did not justify it. The pricing arrangement was confusing and my first bill was subsequently reduced by almost £30.00 when it was examined and I'm still not sure that we weren't overcharged.
The refurbishment has not been extended to the bedrooms in any discernable way. The M6 road noise is apparent at all times and secondary glazing is required. The nature of the construction is such that internal room and corridor noise is conveyed throughout; don't expect to have a conversation in your bedroom without sharing it with your neighbours. The room size is less than I have experienced in previously mentioned competitors and the radiator heating dependant on whether you choose to have the heavy cutain drawn across the window or not. So you can have daylight and full road noise and heat or no daylight, a slight reduction in road noise and no heat!
Even at the reduced rate through this booking, it was poor value and the rack rate of £99.00 only for those with unquestioning expense accounts!

not very helpul staff very dissapointed with the customer service and the attitude of reception staff

poor
Cold room. no heater despite requests. Gave up on dinner after waiting 1 hour with no food forthcoming. Managment not very sympathetic to problems.

One night stay at the Tickled Trout
I had booked a double room just for one night so that we could attend a wedding nearby ( Salmesbury Hall ). Arrived early afternoon and checked in fine.Went to our room and was [very pleased with the size and cleanliness of the room and the good sized flat screen TV.
All the basics were there, i.e. tea and coffee etc plus a nice touch that if you wanted fresh milk for your drinks as opposed to the little uht milk pots, then you could call reception and they would supply it.
As it as the last day of November and the external temperature was hovering around 1 - 2 degrees, the room was beautifully warm and cosy.
The breakfast. served between 08:00 - 11:00 was very tasty indeed. You had a self service selection of cereals, fresh fruit juices, fresh fruit.
Once you had started on that, a member of staff came to ask if you would like tea or coffee and a rack of toast of various varieties.
Once that has been eaten, you were then asked what you would like as a cooked breakfast.
All in all a very pleasurable experience and I would have no hesitation in staying there again, in fact, I would look forward to it.
I would certainly recommend it but other peoples standards and opinion may well differ from mine.
Thanks you

Excellent Hotel great staff

Hotel position
Lovely furnishings, comfort and friendly staff , but that M6!! The noise came through the double glazed window, which we dare not open for essential fresh air. With the window closed we dad no control of temperature and air conditioning, A great pity! I stayed regularly at the Tickled Trout on business trips to the area, 25 years ago. There was less traffic on the motorway, through the night and perhaps I was more tolerant then. We had left our written comments on our departure.

Stayed one night Thursday 1st November. Toilet flush in room (336) had wonkey handle (not easy to flush) but worst of all the room was cold as was the hotel. The bar was pleasant but fitted with a gas effect fire that was turned off on a cold night and provided a less than welcoming atmosphere.
Refurbishment of ground floor was very pleasant with a free glass of Pressecco to guests. Lovely hotel with great staff but lacking warm atmosphere.

Poor service at the Tickeld Trout
Very Poor service - especially during breakfast. I reminded the staff twice and they still couldn't serve me within half an hour despite the breakfast dining room been only 30% full. Staff seem poorly trained and poorly motivated - complained about breakfast to reception - not interested, they just wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible. I got a very superficial verbal apology and no refund of any kind so I took the matter further. Also room service not good didn't have my first choice of sandwich and then took 30 minutes longer than they originally promised.

Would definitely book again
I stayed for just one night for business and thought the service provided excellent value for money. It's clean, comfortable and the facilities are excellent. There was a great choice at breakfast and my room rate was much cheaper than central Preston hotels. If you don't mind being 10-15 minutes outside central Preston I'd really recommend this hotel.