Alton Towers Hotel review: A warm welcome, a huge teddy bear and Haven energy

Sometimes, someone's warmth and friendliness just hit you. Perhaps that's because it can be a quality lacking these days. As I sipped from a slightly overpriced Costa coffee from the Alton Towers Hotel lobby, I watched as a lovely man in a pin-striped waistcoat greeted everyone who entered the place, asking how they were, wishing them a good day and even occasionally posing for selfies. Every now and again, someone just finds their perfect job.

It was my first time staying at the theme park's flagship hotel and, while it is not somewhere I would usually stay, I was impressed by the staff, the ease of access to the park and the general sense of fun. When we entered the room we found a huge teddy bear sitting on the bed. I'd say that set the tone.

The room we stayed in - with a double bed, a bunk bed and a table and chairs - was spacious and clean with a Steampunk-esque theme. I found the purple and gold colour scheme a little dark, and at night with the lights on it all felt a little artificial, but this is a hotel with kids in mind and I am sure they would get a kick out of it.

The bathroom wasn't at all cramped and I'd say it was certainly a step up from your run-of-the-mill Premier Inn or Travelodge, with a big mirror and large surface around the sink to boot. In the main room was a mini kettle, instant coffee and tea, as well as packets of butterscotch crunch and Viennese whirl biscuits.

At night, the double bed was very comfy, although my companion tells me that the bunk bed was a little short for a grown man. So, if you're thinking of saving cash by booking one of these rooms to sleep four adults, it might be a case of drawing straws. The room got a little chilly at night but the air conditioning controls soon sorted that.

The bar downstairs was where the hotel really came into its own. At around 9pm, two women got on the stage, wearing sunglasses and party clothes, to belt out classics from the last 50 years of pop. Memories of visiting Haven resorts as a kid came flooding back. While I didn't get up to dance, many others did, especially the younger folk clutching their mocktails. The performer gave the clear impression that staying at this resort is all about the three Fs - fun, fun, fun.

In the morning, breakfast was pretty good. There was a full English selection, fruit, juices, toast and pastries. For some reason, after making a reservation online, I then had to "reconfirm" my booking - so watch out for that when you stay. I nibbled at eggs, mushrooms, baked beans and bacon, unwilling to reacquaint myself with the meal after taking a spin on Nemesis. Thankfully I judged it just right and was able to also enjoy a hot dog at the park later on.

The resort itself was a ten-minute walk from the front door of the hotel and there's a special entrance just for guests, with a short queue to enter when we arrived at around 11am. Staying at the accommodation was a perfect way to start our trip at the theme park. It's definitely geared more towards the kids, but there's enough for grown-ups to enjoy too.