VisitEngland Quality Award for Roman High Tea Cruise
Following an incognito assessment by a representative of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) operated by VisitEngland, The Mill Hotel’s Restaurant Cruiser has been awarded a prestigious tourism award for the Roman High Tea Cruise. It is now eligible to display the familiar ‘red rose’ symbol, signifying that stringent quality standards have been met and that the Roman High Tea cruise joins the select few of Chester’s attractions that hold the Quality Assured Marque.
The assessment, carried out by an experienced and professional assessor, takes into account all areas of the attraction, from the initial telephone enquiry right through to the final departure. The Visit England assessor deduced:
“The Roman High Tea Cruise is quite delightful. It was a brilliant way to see parts of Chester from a totally different viewpoint. It is an all-weather attraction too. The high tea was beautifully prepared and laid out. Tea and coffee were fresh and full of flavour. Soft drinks were available. Cream cakes were delicious!” They added;
“The Roman Solider Theo was a very able entertainer, with a fund of anecdotes and some amazing insights into the life in the city of Deva. His collection of Roman material was fascinating. He was adept at engaging with the youngsters aboard and allowed them to blow his cornu (horn) at the half way point, making a great photo opportunity.”
The Roman High Tea Cruise, now in its second year has proven to be a great success. It includes high tea, locally sourced refreshments it offers value for money, in addition to being informative. The hour long cruise with narrative DVD, allows visitors to see parts of Chester difficult to reach by any other mode of transport.
This tour of Chester’s forgotten history travels along the Northgate cutting passing by the King Charles Tower, under the Bridge of Sighs; So called because this footbridge was used to walk prisoners from the chapel to the prison gallows on the sight of the Blue coats school. The journey continues on to the Northgate Lock. At this point you have the opportunity to alight for 10 minutes and enjoy the views of the staircase of 3 locks. Captain explains how the locks work and gives a brief history of the Boatie life style before continuing the journey back past the hotel towards Boughton as far as Hoole Lane locks.
Maretta Williams, General Manager at the Mill Hotel & Spa Destination said;
“We were extremely pleased to be complimented not just for the attraction but also for the in- house facilities, organisation, and safety. This cruise sails late afternoon and is in addition to our ever popular Lunch & Dinner Cruises and Monthly Crown & Casino cruises.”
Tickets are bookable in advance at £12 per adult and £10 for children by ringing 01244 350035. Roman High Tea Tours run daily at 4-5pm, as required. There are free coach parking and driver concessions.
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Northgate Lock is one of the deepest locks in the country and with its three stairs has a drop of nearly 40ft, the deepest on the Shropshire Union Canal.
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Caption: Celebrating their quality award win from VisitEngland onboard the Mill Hotel and Spa Destination restaurant cruiser LtoR: Roman soldier, Gnaius Vittelius, hotel manager, Maretta Willams and captain of the restaurant cruiser, Bargee Bill Bradley.
Situated on an historic Roman site in the middle of the City of Chester, the Mill Hotel and Spa Destination was opened by its present owners in 1987. The original Griffiths Cornmill building dates from 1830 and great care has been taken to sympathetically incorporate many of the original architectural features during the conversion into a hotel.
The Mill has been extended in recent years with the addition of the impressive south wing, linked to the original building via a glass walled bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal reminiscent of the City of Venice.
The hotel can rightly say it is Chester’s complete hotel and leisure destination with 129 en-suite bedrooms, Free Wi FI Internet, extensive dining and restaurant options, conferencing facilities, and unrivalled leisure facilities including Beauty Spa, Nail Bar, Hair Salon and unrivalled leisure facilities including a Technogym Gymnasium, Kinesis Studio, Pool, Sauna and Steam Room. It has the highest occupancy figures of any Chester hotel.
Dining options include the Canaletto and the Flambé Steak restaurants, the Restaurant Cruiser, Peppermill Trattoria and Real Ale Bar and Deli Counter.
For more information visit: www.millhotel.com Contact: Emma Ratchford, Gordon Vickers or Maretta Williams, The Mill Hotel & Spa, Tel: 01244 350035
For press information call: Jane Harrad-Roberts, Marketing Projects Tel: 01244 330000 Mobile: 07785 395 705 Jane@marketingprojects.co.uk
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