Forshaws Hotel

Grade II-listed Forshaws Hotel was built around 1780 and, at the time it was one of only four hotels in Blackpool (along with the nearby Metropole Hotel and two other hotels that have since closed). It was renamed the Clifton Hotel in the mid-19th century and in its heyday attracted celebrities including Frank Sinatra who stayed here when performing at the Blackpool Opera House in the 1950s. The hotel underwent a major renovation in 2007 and then operated as a Travelodge until 2012. It then became an ibis Styles and following another renovation in 2022, it reopened under its original name.

Although the hotel gets mixed reviews, it has improved over the past 15 years or so and it represents great value considering its central location.

The hotel has 90 guest rooms, all with comfortable beds, a work desk, a flatscreen television, tea-and-coffee-making facilities and en suite bathrooms. Standard rooms are 14–16m2 (150–172 sq ft) and superior rooms are larger at 24–26m2 (258–279 sq ft) with sea views with bay windows.

The in-room decor combines elements that you may be familiar with if you regularly stay in Travelodges or ibis Styles hotels.

The hotel also has a bar, although it doesn’t have the same atmosphere as other pubs and bars nearby.

Free Wi-Fi wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel.

The hotel has a great location on Talbot Square between the town hall and North Pier. From here you can walk to Blackpool Tower, Grundy Art Gallery and the Winter Gardens in only five minutes and Blackpool North railway station, Madame Tussauds, the SEA LIFE aquarium and Showtown are all less than a 10-minute walk away.