The Berkswell Hotel, homely Blackpool stay with full breakfast
The Berkswell Hotel is a guesthouse-style hotel in an older building in Blackpool, close to the Pleasure Beach and South Beach. It offers a cooked breakfast, a bar, free parking and a friendly welcome. I would pick it for a seaside break on a budget, as long as you read the mixed reviews first.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of The Berkswell Hotel.
Where The Berkswell Hotel is and how to get there
The Berkswell Hotel stands on Withnell Road in Blackpool, a short way from the seafront. The listing places it close to the Pleasure Beach and South Beach, and one guest says it is a couple of minutes from a tram stop.
That makes it handy if you plan to leave the car and get around on foot or by tram. If you do drive, free parking is included. Liverpool John Lennon airport is the nearest one mentioned in the details, so most guests will arrive by road or rail.
What the rooms and shared spaces are like
The Berkswell sits in a period building, and the old description says it has kept some historic features. Rooms come with a private bathroom and walk-in shower, a flat-screen TV and free wifi, and some have views over the town.
Downstairs you get a bar, a lounge and a reception that is staffed round the clock, according to the listing. Guests also mention a garden area at the front where you can sit in the sun with a drink.
| What you get | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Private bathroom with walk-in shower | Anyone who wants their own space |
| Family room, mentioned by one guest with three children | Families with a baby or children of mixed ages |
| Bar and lounge | Groups of friends and couples who like a sociable evening |
| Free parking | Drivers who do not want to hunt for a space |
What guests say about their stay
Most reviews are warm, and the same few things come up again and again. People talk about the welcome, the cleanliness and the breakfast.
- The breakfast. Several guests rave about the cooked breakfast, with plenty of choice. One review even singles out the black pudding.
- The hosts. Many describe a home-from-home feel and attentive hosts. A few reviews say standards have improved a lot since the hotel changed hands.
- The cleanliness. Rooms are called spotless and fresh in several recent reviews.
- The location. Guests like being close to the tram and the Pleasure Beach.
- Families. One family says the staff offered a cot, a bottle warmer and even a buggy, and catered for a fussy child at breakfast.
What to know before you book
This is the part I would not skip. The reviews are mixed, and the negative ones are about reliability rather than about the rooms themselves.
- A change of ownership. Older praise goes to the previous owners, while recent reviews mostly welcome the new hosts. It means older reviews may not describe the place as it is now.
- Booking mix-ups. One guest says a paid twin room was not ready on arrival. Another says the price changed on the spot and that payment was asked in cash.
- Breakfast is not always guaranteed. Two reviews describe mornings with no breakfast served, one because of a cooker problem and one because staff did not appear. Another guest mentions a cold shower and no working TV.
- The surroundings. One review mentions rubbish in the garden next door, which is outside the hotel's control.
My advice is to confirm your price, payment method and breakfast in writing before you arrive. I would also keep an eye on the most recent reviews.
Who The Berkswell Hotel is for
I would choose it for a no-frills seaside weekend in Blackpool, especially if you want to be close to the Pleasure Beach and like a proper cooked breakfast. It suits couples, groups of friends and families who value a friendly, small-hotel feel.
It is less convincing if you need a flawless, corporate-style service every day. A small place run by hosts will have good and bad days, and the reviews show both.
What to do around Blackpool
Blackpool is a classic British seaside town, and the hotel puts you near its best known sights. The details name the Pleasure Beach and South Beach as the closest attractions.
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach. A short walk away according to guests, and the main reason many people stay on this side of town.
- South Beach. Close enough for a stroll along the sand.
- The tram. A stop near the hotel lets you travel along the coast without a car.
The Berkswell Hotel in Blackpool is a good fit for a budget break near the rides, with a breakfast people remember. Check the latest reviews and confirm the details with the hosts before you pay.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
