Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsChessington Safari Hotel enjoys a prime location with direct access to Chessington World of Adventures theme park and zoo, making it a top choice for leisure travelers, especially families. The hotel's proximity to Chessington South train station and bus services offers convenient transport links to central London and Gatwick Airport. Guests appreciate the easy parking, themed rooms and picturesque views of animals from their accommodations.
The breakfast experience at the hotel is frequently praised for its variety and quality with guests enjoying buffet-style offerings that cater to different dietary needs. Despite occasional critiques about specific items, the overall feedback is highly positive. Dinner options, while generally favorably reviewed for taste and experience, received mixed opinions on pricing and variety.
The themed rooms are a hit with families, offering spacious, clean and comfortable stays enriched by fun decor and views of animal enclosures. Although some guests noted that certain rooms and furnishings appeared dated, most appreciate the cleanliness and amenities provided. The pool, gym and themed activities for children further enhance the family-friendly atmosphere.
Cleanliness overall is a strong point with positive feedback for the well-maintained rooms and public areas, though there are occasional reports of inconsistency in some spaces. The efficient housekeeping staff contribute to a pleasant stay.
Staff at Chessington Safari Hotel are lauded for their friendly and helpful service, often going out of their way to accommodate guests' needs. While most interactions are positive, some guests encountered service inconsistencies, particularly in restaurant settings.
Free Wi-Fi availability is appreciated, though its performance varies with some guests experiencing connection issues. Despite this, many find the service satisfactory for general use.
Families find Chessington Safari Hotel particularly enjoyable with kid-friendly activities, large family rooms and entertainment options. Themed restaurants and unique dining experiences, such as eating while overlooking safari animals, add to the appeal.
Beds and pillows generally receive favorable reviews for comfort, enhancing the overall restful experience, despite some guests finding them too firm.
The hotel is generally considered to uphold a four-star standard with many guests feeling it offers great value and exceeds expectations, despite differing opinions on certain amenities.
Chessington Safari Hotel provides a pleasant stay for both leisure and business travelers, offering a mix of convenience, comfort and family-friendly activities. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Luxury Hotel
Hotel near Golf Courses
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Indoor Pool
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
4-Star Hotel
Hotel with Indoor Pool
Room Types
Safari King Family RoomSpacious room with luxury private bathroom.
Safari Double Room with Bunk BedsThis family room has air conditioning and satellite TV.
Safari Family RoomThe air-conditioned suite has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The suite features a tea and coffee maker, a safe deposit box, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed and 2 futons.
Safari Twin Room with Bunk BedsThe quadruple room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. This quadruple room features a safe deposit box, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 3 beds.
Azteca Discovery Family Room This suite includes satellite TV and air conditioning.
Please note that a pull-out bed is available for a third child.
Safari African Adventure Family roomThis suite features air conditioning and satellite TV.
Safari Double Room with Bunk Beds with Wanyama ViewThis suite has air conditioning and satellite TV.
Safari Accessible Twin RoomThis twin room has air conditioning and satellite TV.
Azteca Monkey Temple Family Room This suite includes satellite TV and air conditioning.
Please note that a pull-out bed is available for a third child.
Azteca Monkey Temple Family Room with Wanyama ViewThis suite includes satellite TV and air conditioning.
Please note that a pull-out bed is available for a third child.
Safari King Family Room with Bunk Beds and Wanyama ViewThe double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a safe deposit box, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 3 beds.
Family Room - Disability AccessThe family room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 2 beds and 1 futon.
Standard Twin RoomThe twin room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 4 beds.
Family RoomThe family room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. This family room has a safe deposit box, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.2
Very Good
Location
Chessington Safari Hotel boasts a prime location that makes it a top choice for visitors heading to the Chessington World of Adventures theme park. The proximity to the park itself is one of the hotel's biggest selling points, providing easy access to both the theme park and zoo. Guests appreciate the convenience of walking just a minute to the park entrances, enjoying the early park access and even the ability to enjoy parts of the zoo in the evenings.
The hotel's location is complemented by good transport links, including Chessington South train station, which is within a 10 to 15-minute walk. This makes it a feasible option for those planning day trips to central London or needing access to Gatwick Airport. Public transportation is also facilitated by a bus stop right in front of the hotel.
Apart from its idyllic setting next to the park, the hotel offers easy parking solutions and various amenities like a pool, gym and themed rooms, which add to its family-friendly appeal. The views from the hotel are often praised with rooms overlooking animals and offering a unique, enjoyable experience for children.
Overall, Chessington Safari Hotel provides a strategically convenient and picturesque get-away with direct access to a variety of attractions and an efficient infrastructure that pleases both leisure seekers and business visitors.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Chessington Safari Hotel receives high praise from guests with many highlighting its variety and quality. The buffet-style breakfast, available at both Zafari and Temple restaurants, offers a wide array of choices, including fresh fruit, yogurt, pancakes, gluten-free options and a full English breakfast. The ample selection ensures there's something for everyone, catering well to families and those with dietary restrictions.
Numerous reviews commend the breakfast as delicious, fantastic and superb with guests often pointing out the freshness and presentation of the food. The breakfast staff are frequently described as friendly, helpful and attentive, contributing positively to the overall experience.
While the majority of reviews are positive, some guests note areas for improvement, such as the quality of certain cooked items like bacon and sausages, which were described as cheap, dried out or even plastic-like. Additionally, a few guests mentioned that the breakfast can get busy and that items may not always be hot.
Despite these minor critiques, the overall consensus is that the breakfast at Chessington Safari Hotel is a satisfying start to the day with plenty of options to suit various tastes and preferences.
Dinner
Chessington Safari Hotel’s dinner offerings garnered mixed but mostly favorable reviews from guests. The quality of food at its restaurants often received high praise with many guests describing the dinner as delicious, amazing and superb. Both the Temple and Zafari restaurants were highlighted for their tasty meals and great dining experiences. Guests also appreciated the variety and quality of food at the dinner buffet, although some noted it was a bit limited.
However, several reviews mentioned the steep prices of food and drinks with some guests advising bringing their own snacks due to the high costs. Despite the positive feedback on food quality, there were concerns about limited menu options and issues with food being cold or poorly cooked, particularly at buffet dinners. Service speed and efficiency also appeared to be inconsistent with some guests experiencing slow service or errors in their orders.
Families with children found the dining experience enjoyable, particularly appreciating the themed restaurants and opportunities like dining while watching safari animals. Yet, others were disappointed with the lack of vegan options and the quality of some dishes, which they felt didn’t justify the expense.
Overall, while the hotel's dining experiences were largely positive, particularly at themed restaurants, issues with price, variety and occasional food quality lapses were noted areas for improvement.
Rooms
Chessington Safari Hotel's rooms offer a mix of positive experiences and areas for improvement. Guests generally find the rooms spacious, clean and comfortable with many highlighting the fun, well-executed themed decor that entertains children and creates a unique atmosphere. The hotel also offers great views of nearby animal enclosures, adding an exciting touch to the stay. Many families appreciate the large room sizes, especially the family rooms that come equipped with bunk beds and extras like treasure hunts for kids.
Comfortable beds, good showers and useful amenities like fridges and hairdryers are frequently highlighted. Guests also mention the rooms being quiet and well-decorated, contributing to an overall relaxing experience. Positive remarks often include specific themed rooms like the Gruffalo or Monkey Temple rooms, which guests found delightful and engaging.
However, there are some less favorable notes. A number of guests pointed out that certain rooms and their furniture appeared dated and could use some refurbishment. Issues such as limited working sockets, occasional dustiness and inconsistent room temperatures were also mentioned. Some rooms had minor inconveniences like broken fixtures or unpleasant smells. Despite this, the overall sentiment leans towards positive with many guests enjoying their stay, appreciating the cleanliness and valuing the thematic experience Chessington Safari Hotel offers.
Beds
Chessington Safari Hotel offers a mixed experience when it comes to bedding, based on guest reviews. The majority of visitors noted the comfort of the beds and pillows, often described as comfy or very comfortable, which is a significant positive aspect for those seeking a restful night's sleep. The large and spacious rooms add to the overall comfort with some guests appreciating the extra large beds that offer a luxurious sleeping experience.
However, opinions on bed comfort do vary. While many guests were delighted with the quality and comfort of the mattresses and pillows, others found them to be firm or even rock hard. Some reviews indicated that certain beds and mattresses were uncomfortable with a few guests experiencing significant discomfort and dissatisfaction.
Special mentions include bunk beds for children, which generally received positive feedback, although there were occasional issues such as a broken bunk bed step. Families appreciated thoughtful touches, like a Freddo chocolate waiting on the children's beds, adding a welcoming and whimsical element to their stay.
Despite some inconsistencies in bed comfort, the overall sleeping arrangements at Chessington Safari Hotel appear to satisfy the majority of guests, especially those who value spacious rooms and amenities tailored for families.
Cleanliness
Chessington Safari Hotel has garnered mostly positive feedback for its cleanliness, making it a generally well-regarded accommodation option. Guests frequently describe the hotel and its rooms as very clean, often highlighting spotless and well-maintained rooms. The housekeeping team receives considerable praise for their efforts, ensuring that rooms are kept tidy and comfortable. Areas such as the swimming pool and restrooms are also noted for their cleanliness, contributing to the hotel’s overall well-kept appearance.
However, some reviews indicate inconsistencies, particularly in public areas like restaurants and changing rooms. Issues like sticky floors, dirty carpets and worn-out furniture suggest that the hotel could benefit from more attention in these spaces. Several guests also mentioned isolated incidents of specific items being dirty, such as showerheads with limescale buildup and unclean fridges.
Despite these issues, many guests appreciate the hotel's clean and welcoming atmosphere, well presented rooms and efficient cleaning staff. Areas that could use improvement include ensuring consistent cleanliness in public areas and updating some of the older furnishings and facilities. Nonetheless, for many visitors, the hotel's strong points in cleanliness and housekeeping contribute positively to their stay.
Staff
The staff at Chessington Safari Hotel have garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews for their friendly and helpful demeanor. Guests frequently describe the team as accommodating, polite and efficient with special mentions for their ability to handle last-minute requests and dietary needs. The reception team, in particular, stood out with glowing feedback for being welcoming, attentive and always ready to assist. Several specific individuals, like Julie at breakfast and receptionists Zayne and Freya, were highlighted for their exceptional service.
Parents appreciated the staff's adeptness in managing sensory-sensitive children and many commended the special effort made to ensure a fantastic stay. Bar staff like Ellie and Chantelle were noted for their fun and engaging attitudes, contributing to a positive atmosphere.
However, there were instances of inconsistency. While most team members were praised for their customer service skills, some guests encountered less favorable experiences with certain staff members described as dismissive or unapproachable. The young breakfast staff and some restaurant employees were occasionally noted as unenthusiastic and there were reports of staff being slow to respond or less efficient than expected.
Despite these occasional lapses, the overall sentiment remains highly favorable with many guests expressing that the staff couldn't do enough to make their stay enjoyable. Enthusiastic and happy team members made a significant impact, ensuring that the majority of guests left with positive impressions of their service experience at Chessington Safari Hotel.
Wi-Fi
Guests at Chessington Safari Hotel have had varying experiences with the hotel's Wi-Fi. Many appreciated the complimentary Wi-Fi and reported it as working well with good coverage throughout the hotel. Some found the Wi-Fi in their rooms to be reliable and without issues, allowing them to stay connected effortlessly. However, others faced significant challenges, noting poor signal strength and frequent connection issues in certain areas, particularly the rooms. There were also comments about the absence of detailed instructions for logging in and some guests struggled with tethering and internet signal overall. Despite these issues, some guests did mention that the network signal in general was good. Those visiting for business or needing a reliable connection might find it a bit problematic.
Family
Chessington Safari Hotel offers a delightful experience for families, especially for those with young children. The hotel receives high praise for being clean, family-oriented and packed with kid-friendly activities. The entertainment available for children is frequently noted as fantastic and the array of facilities ensures that everything a family might need is readily accessible.
The themed atmosphere adds an extra layer of enjoyment with theme music and room decor that captivates younger guests. Kids also have a blast with various organized activities, treasure hunts and a kid-friendly buffet. Notably, the family rooms are spacious and well-equipped, often offering delightful surprises like chocolates on pillows and lovely views of zebras, giraffes and other animals directly from the windows.
The swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room receive positive mentions, although some guests wished for longer swimming slots. Dining experiences are memorable with options like dining with giraffes and a butterfly viewing room, enhancing the hotel's appeal.
The staff are described as friendly and accommodating, contributing to an overall wonderful experience. Early entry to nearby attractions adds convenience and excitement to the stay. However, it's worth noting that the closure of the temple restaurant during some stays and an early check-out system were less favored by some guests.
Overall, Chessington Safari Hotel is frequently described as the perfect place for a short family break, being extremely child-friendly and offering plenty to keep the little ones entertained.
4 Star
Chessington Safari Hotel offers a family-friendly environment that is generally well-received among its guests. Many reviews commend the establishment as superb, noting it as wonderful and a lovely place to stay. The decor is often highlighted as amazing and the breakfast receives high praise.
Though experiences vary, a significant number of guests find the hotel lives up to its four-star rating, citing its good standards and great value. Some frequent travelers even compare it favorably with other four-star hotels globally, pointing out that it often far exceeds online expectations.
However, there are contrasting opinions surrounding the hotel's star rating. Some felt it did not consistently deliver a four-star experience, likening it more to a three-star property. They noted that certain four-star amenities were unavailable and suggested the hotel's services were not up to the expected standard. Despite these mixed reviews, the consensus seems to lean towards the hotel's overall positive impression and value for money.
Business
Chessington Safari Hotel offers a mixed experience for business travelers, combining some appealing aspects with areas needing improvement. The hotel is particularly praised for its great location and easy parking, making it a convenient choice for business stays. It is considered business friendly with suitable amenities and decent wifi for work purposes. The offices within the hotel are described as lovely and the overall ambiance beneficial for business travel.
However, not all facilities are up to the standard expected by business customers. Some guests noted that the rooms were not suitable for business travel and that certain equipment appeared old. Additionally, while some found the business amenities adequate, others felt that the business facilities required more maturity and overall improvement. Technical issues also arose with repeated requests needed for problem resolution.
In summary, while Chessington Safari Hotel offers certain advantages for business travelers, such as good connectivity and supportive facilities, some aspects, particularly the adequacy and state of business-specific amenities, may require attention.
Accessible
Chessington Hotel presents a mixed bag when it comes to accessibility, especially for guests with disabilities. On the positive side, the hotel boasts a good disability bathroom and is child-friendly with easy access to both Chessington and the adjoining theme park, which offers a great advantage for families. Guests have praised the hotel's location and parking facilities, highlighting the convenience and ease of getting to the theme park. Handicapped access within the hotel has also been noted as good and early entrance to the park is an added benefit.
However, there are several areas where the hotel could improve. Some guests have experienced a lack of response to disability accommodations prior to their stay and have mentioned that the hotel staff lacks understanding of autism. There are also reports of long waiting times for disabled guests and challenges with scooter accessibility. Several reviews indicate the hotel is not very accessible for older people or those requiring wheelchair access and the need for better access for prams has been pointed out. Overall, while the location and proximity to Chessington theme park are excellent, improvements in accessibility features and services are necessary to ensure a more inclusive experience for all guests.
Yes, Chessington Safari Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Indoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Chessington Safari Hotel.
No, Chessington Safari Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Chessington Safari Hotel.