Alton Towers Stargazing Pods welcomed their first guests over the weekend with a special, one-off, opening ceremony featuring a special appearance from Mark Thompson, Stargazing LIVE co-host, and Sir Algenon. TowersTimes were there to experience the celebrations.
To mark the official opening of Alton Towers Resort’s newest accommodation, and the first guests staying in the Stargazing Pods, the Resort hosted a special celebration during the evening of Saturday 13th April. Throughout the evening there was a selection of entertainment, including a live band and special, one-off, appearances from Darwin the Dodo, and the Fable Folk, Hobman and Sally, who delighted guests with their interactions.
The highlight of the evening was the official opening ceremony, which featured a special appearance from astronomer Mark Thompson, co-host of BBC Two’s Stargazing LIVE, who showed guests how they could spot the stars and constellations in the skies above. Sir Algenon brought the evening to a close with a tale of how looking at the stars inspired his travels, accompanied by a magical fireworks display.
With the new accommodation welcoming its first guests on Friday evening (12th April), there was a large queue of families waiting to check-in at the dedicated Reception located in the building previously used for the Resort’s former high ropes attraction, Tree Top Quest. Unlike the Resort’s other accommodation, the pods use physical keys to lock and unlock the doors meaning guests are required to make a £10 refundable deposit at check-in in order to receive their key. The entrance portal has received several nice touches, including a number of toadstools, and a star shaped planter which help create a nice first impression as guests make their way to their pod. Whilst there are not hard pathways to every pod, the Resort have installed plastic mesh pathways over the grass to the other pods, with an additional large green mesh mat in front of each pod to try and minimise the amount of mud which could be walked into each pod. The star shaped planters also feature elsewhere around the site, including next to the three telescopes situated on the Village Green, and outside the entertainment Tipi. Inside the Tipi is a bar and space for live entertainment, as well as a self-playing piano. One draw back to the Tipi is the lack of heating inside, which is noticeable on particularly cold evenings, although the Resort do provide blankets for guests to use.
Alton Towers Stargazing Pods is the fifth accommodation offering from Alton Towers Resort. Located next to The Enchanted Village, the Stargazing Pods will offer families a different experience to anything the Resort’s current accommodation has to offer and aims to encourage families to embrace the Great British outdoors, reconnect with nature, each other and feel inspired by the world around them. Each of the 102 pods can sleep up to 4 guests in 1 double and 2 single beds, with shower and toilet facilities available in a Facilities Block located on the site. Prices for the Alton Towers Stargazing Pods start from £88 a night off-peak and from £123 a night peak.
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