Andy Mossack reviews the Boulevard Hotel, Blackpool’s new luxury property and discovers a resort town once the illustrious playground of the rich and famous looking to make a comeback.
It’s no secret that Blackpool has something of a reputation. Perhaps a working-class Lancashire lady that was once coined “the Las Vegas of the North.” Unsurprising really, as she was the go-to town for the Wakes Weeks, the time when Lancashire industry shut down for the summer between June and September.
But this wasn’t always the case. Around the turn of the 20th century Blackpool was once the darling of the rich and famous, flocking to its grand beachside hotels to party, stroll the Promenade, dance at the famous ballroom and watch the illuminations.
Today there’s a growing feeling of rejuvenation following the opening of the impressive new Promenade lining its beautiful clean and tidy beaches that have won blue flag awards regularly for years.
That feeling has been reinforced with the opening of the luxury Boulevard Hotel perched at the north end of the Promenade at Ocean Beach. Owned by Amanda Thompson’s Pleasure Beach Resort, (it’s been family-owned by the Thompsons since 1931) and literally within touching distance of the giant roller coasters that encircle the park. Particularly in the hotel car park, where the twisted steel courses snake all around you.
It’s quite mesmerising. Almost a modern art installation to my mind.
But here’s the thing, once inside, you don’t hear even a scream let alone any thunderous roaring. Just serenity and service. I loved that. I also loved the VIP park entry giving guests fast queue back door access to the Pleasure Beach. No doubt an absolute pleasure in the height of the summer season.
Boulevard Hotel’s entrance is discreetly tucked away off the Promenade and fronted by a portico with a classy gurgling fountain. Inside, the spacious ground floor is made up of the lobby reception, a small gym, and the bar and restaurant, with floor to ceiling glass offering views of the glorious beach and rolling white horses of the Irish Sea. It’s a stylish contemporary space dotted with artworks celebrating the Pleasure Beach and the resort’s art deco heritage.
This is light years away from the faded grandeur of Blackpool’s many sea-facing hotels. Was I glimpsing the future? Is this a taste of things to come?
Upstairs, my coastal junior suite was a total delight. A spacious 44 square metres of serene pastel beige, with a super king bed, Designers Guild fabrics and feather down pillows and duvet, large floor to ceiling windows with outstanding coastal views, a fridge with sparking and still Voss water, plenty of USB ports (which is still a rarity in hotel rooms) tea and coffee with a Nespresso machine and kettle and a 55-inch Chromecast compatible TV. Let’s not forget the large sofa, armchair and table too.
The bathroom offered quite a surprise. A proper power shower cubicle and an indulgent bath with built in TV. Loved the Balmain toiletries, the big soft fluffy towels and dressing gowns and slippers.
The coastal junior suites are adults only, but there are many child-friendly options within the available 120 guestrooms.
Back downstairs before dinner, I gave the bar mixologist (a gentleman with quite the mixing reputation) a test of his cocktail prowess by requesting a pink gin fizz (£12) made of rock gin, strawberry puree, lemon juice, grenadine and soda. He gave me a sorrowful look of pity which screamed “seriously, is that the best you’ve got,” but triumphantly returned with a smile and a cracking cocktail.
The Beachside Restaurant beckoned, the main dining area for breakfast, lunch and dinner and proved to be a memorable display of locally sourced ingredients. The twice-baked Lancashire cheese souffle (£12) and liver parfait (£12) were excellent starters. The Boulevard Fish Pie made from cod loin, prawns and smoked salmon with tender stem broccoli and cheese mash (£25) got raised eyebrows and a thumbs-up from Mrs M. While my Forest of Bowland fillet of beef (£39) with peppercorn sauce and cherry tomato, mushroom, watercress and crispy hand-cut chips was a total triumph.
Exploring Blackpool from Boulevard Hotel is an entertaining walk all along the Promenade, although the tram stop is right outside if transport is needed. The famous Tower and Ballroom are unmissable sights at the centre of the Golden Mile, and hearing they will both be handed back from Merlin Entertainment to Blackpool Council to run can only be good news for the future of such an iconic location.
Walk a few streets back from Blackpool’s famous front and you’ll discover the real town of Blackpool, with the lush gardens of Stanley Park and the theatrical history of the Winter Gardens where the world’s greatest entertainers performed.
A short way in the opposite direction, the towns of Lytham and St. Anne’s are evidence of the well-heeled communities residing along the Fylde coast. The restoration of the now glorious 75 acres of Lytham Hall is a revelation and for golfers the pure fabulousness of Royal Lytham & St Anne’s Golf Club is simply golfing heaven.
Back in the welcoming embrace and serenity of the Boulevard Hotel I took a moment to consider what lies ahead for a town with so much unrealised potential. Clearly owner Amanda Thompson OBE is fully invested having produced a luxury hotel that sets a high benchmark for future projects in Blackpool.
The future looks very bright indeed.
And just in case you’re wondering if I braved the roller coasters, I went all in on The Big One and lived to tell this tale!.
Tell Me More About the Boulevard Hotel
The Boulevard Hotel, Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1PL
T: 01253 336073 E: reservations@blvdhotel.co.uk
Rooms from £100. Boulevard is also licenced to legally wed couples and host the happily ever after party, plus the ability to cater for all kinds of events of up to 200 guests.
For more details onm Blackpool and destinations around Lancashire, please visit Visit Lancashire and Visit Blacpool
