Alton Towers Resort have today officially launched their newest accommodation offering, Alton Towers Stargazing Pods, with guests now able to book stays from Friday 12th April 2019.
Available for stays throughout the peak summer and school holiday periods (Easter, May half term, June, July and August, and October half term), as well as weekend stays in off-peak periods (May, September, and October), the camping style pods will be minimally furnished with a double bed and two single beds, under bed storage, as well as having heating, charging points, and WiFi. Toilet and showering facilities will be offered in a communal block, which will also offer accessible showers and baby changing facilities. Due to the layout of the Pods, cots are unable to be accommodated, and the Pods are also unable to accommodate guests using wheelchairs, with these guests being advised to consider some of the other accommodation options across the Resort.
Prices for Alton Towers Stargazing Pods start at £88 per night for off-peak periods, and £123 during peak season, and is set to be the cheapest of the Resort’s accommodation offerings. Included in the price will be a takeaway breakfast with hot drinks or milk, with a freshly made bacon and sausage sandwich (or vegetarian alternative), and all bedding and bed linen. Guests will be able to rent a basket of towels on check-in, or are welcome to bring their own. Those staying in the Pods will also be able to enjoy access to entertainments and restaurants at the Resort’s other hotels, with the exception of the CBeebies Land Hotel.
Speaking about the new Pods, Divisional Director for Alton Towers Resort, Ian Crabbe said:
“More and more families are looking for affordable UK short-breaks where they can spend quality time together, try new things and enjoy their favourite destinations.
“Alton Towers Stargazing Pods offer a truly unique experience: the chance to spend the night under the stars in our beautiful countryside setting and enjoy all that Alton Towers Resort has to offer.”
In response to the announcement of the accommodation on social media, some have expressed concerns about a number of aspects of the new Stargazing Pods. Some have queried whether the current pricing of the Pods is too high, especially given the limited space and minimal furnishing of the pods, as well as the lack of an en suite bathroom. Whilst others have questioned if the other Resort accommodation will see an increase in price given the addition of the Stargazing Pods as the new ‘budget’ accommodation, although on some dates Splash Landings Hotel was showing as offering a cheaper alternative to the Stargazing Pods, and therefore arguably offering better value for money given that rooms in Splash Landings feature en suite bathrooms.
There have also concerns raised about the additional pressure the development will place on the existing Resort facilities, with the Alton Towers Waterpark already frequently reaching capacity, and the current Resort restaurants regularly fully booked each evening. Whilst a small extension for The Crooked Spoon has been given planning permission, it is not known if this will be added for the opening of the Stargazing Pods.
Alton Towers Stargazing Pods will be located next to the Enchanted Village and will offer 102 pods set around ‘the green’ where children can play or use telescopes to gaze at the stars and study the night sky. Some people have been critical of the layout of the Pods, saying emphasis has been placed on the quantity of rooms as opposed to the quality, and that as things currently appear, the only reference to stargazing is in the name of the development, and the inclusion of a small number of telescopes. However, with the inclusion of the Tipi area as part of the development, there is potential scope for additional stargazing activities to be included as part of some form of entertainments programme.
The official launch of Alton Towers Stargazing Pods follows on from the appearance of demonstration Pods on the lawns in front of the Towers Ruins, giving guests a first look at what they can expect when the Pods open in April 2019.
Will you be booking a stay in the Alton Towers Stargazing Pods? What are your thoughts on the Resort’s latest accommodation offering? Have your say over on the Attraction Source Forum.
