Bristol Zoo (Closed) Hotel in the zoo

Obviously, some people must WANT to do this - see Port Lympne, London, Whipsnade, etc. But I've never understood why!
 
oflory said:
Obviously, some people must WANT to do this - see Port Lympne, London, Whipsnade, etc. But I've never understood why!
Click to expand...

You never understood why anyone would want to stay in a zoo?
I would never be able to afford to stay in the one in Bristol described in the link, but I stayed in a hotel in Dvur Kralove zoo and it was great. Good value, with access to the zoo after closing when all the visitors had gone and the animals are more active, a view out over a paddock with various animals, and very easy access to the zoo when you get up the next morning.
What's not to like?
 
I'm presuming this is the gatekeeper's lodge house attatched to the old Guthrie Road entrance at the bottom end of the Zoo. An innovative use of what would have been a defunct residence when that entrance was closed permanently. In one photo you can see the old Zoo gates just outside.

For folk unfamiliar with the Zoo, there won't be any paddocks full of large animals viewable from here as they don't have any, more flowerbeds, bamboos and some animal houses, but still a good 'zoo' feel nonetheless. People staying might be woken by the bell in Clifton College which strikes every hour(or used to.)
 
It seems all these overnight setups are very expensive. It would be nice if a zoological park could set up a standard hotel, with a view over a field exhibit. Why not outsource it to a reasonably priced national chain hotel, such as Days Inn here in the states or Premier Inn across the pond? They would pay all construction and operating costs, no expense to the zoo, and the zoo gets a percentage once they are up and running.
 
Arizona Docent said:
It seems all these overnight setups are very expensive. It would be nice if a zoological park could set up a standard hotel, with a view over a field exhibit. Why not outsource it to a reasonably priced national chain hotel, such as Days Inn here in the states or Premier Inn across the pond? They would pay all construction and operating costs, no expense to the zoo, and the zoo gets a percentage once they are up and running.
Click to expand...

There is a Premier Inn right next to (well, a few hundred metres away) from Chessington World of Adventures/Zoo.
Additionally, the accommodation at Zoo Dvur Kralove that I mentioned earlier in this thread isn't expensive and there are rooms looking over a large paddock.
 
It does look very appealing and also looks rather luxurious, however despite everything included, it does seem expensive at those rates!

There is a more economical option at Jersey where you can stay for 3 nights or longer within the zoo and get some VIP treatment too.
 
We stayed the night at Whipsnade a couple of years ago and it was great. Full day entry with vehicle, tour of the zoo in a truck, walking tour after dark, 3 course dinner, big breakfast and overnight in a cabin by the Rhinos.

No walking about after dark on your own but the facilities were the public ones so several trips to that unaccompanied meant you felt like you had the place to yourself.

Walking tour in the morning. Guests get to fed the chimps and keepers fed the Bears and Wolverines. Then another full day at the zoo.

I'd recommend it. But remember it is Whipsnade so it can get VERY cold. They even highlight this in the joining instructions. Not sure why the couple in the Porsche only came in shorts without a jacket.
 
cliffxdavis said:
...it can get VERY cold. They even highlight this in the joining instructions. Not sure why the couple in the Porsche only came in shorts without a jacket.
Click to expand...

Because they spent all their savings on a car, they had no money left over for jackets. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top