Persistence Paid Off! Venue Spotlight on Doubletree Stoke on Trent

At Magnifisense, we believe in the power of relationships —and this trip proved it.

When I first met Marie, Director of Sales at DoubleTree byHilton Stoke-on-Trent, and Manisha (then DOS of Holiday Inn Bolton) at anindustry expo, we hit it off instantly. I teased them that from now on theywould be known as “M & M”. At the time, I had no idea when I might stay ateither of their properties, but I quietly vowed that if the chance ever came, Iwould take it.

Two and half years later, while planning a road trip with myfiancé, Staffordshire became our halfway stop on the way to the Lake District,and I knew exactly where to stay: the DoubleTree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent.

The hotels location is strong — near the junction of the A53and A500 — putting key attractions (Festival Retail Park, Stoke Ski Centre,Waterworld) within a short walk, while the city centre and the Bet365 Stadiumare only about ten minutes away.

Walking into the hotel, I was struck by the duality of itsstory. This property really is a hotel of two halves —  a modern, contemporary  hotel wrapped partially around Etruria Hall,the neo-classical, Grade II-listed house built between 1768–1771 for JosiahWedgwood, the legendary industrialist and founder of the Wedgwood potteryempire.

From the moment we stepped through the doors, personaltouches set this stay apart.  Marie —ever gracious — greeted me with a warm hug and my fiancé, Mark, with ahandshake. We were of course given the warm, delicious Doubletree cookie, whichis always welcomed!

As we entered our bedroom, we discovered a “goodie station”— but not just any kind. Marie had remembered that my daughter loves ducks, andso tucked around the room were various coloured little ducks. She’d alsoarranged a bag of ducks, a hamper of local produce and M&M’s, and even acelebratory mug. The funniest surprise, which Mark noticed first was a framedphoto of her and Manisha, placed beside the bed! In the 9 years of MagnifisenseI can say this has never occurred!

These gestures, whether by personal memory or by checkingher notes, didn’t go unnoticed. They moved me. In hospitality, those are thedetails that linger long after checkout.

Later, Marie led us on a walk-through of the property.Again, the dual nature struck me: the reception and common areas reflect amodern sensibility, while Etruria Hall carries that elegant, historicresonance. During our stay, the ballroom was being prepared for the Pink TieBall 2025, a charity event held annually at the hotel (this year in its tenthiteration).  We met the organiser, whoconfirmed the ball runs like clockwork each year, bringing a sense of traditionand community to the venue.

The longevity of the staff and recurring events speakvolumes about the hotel’s service culture.

Stay Experience — Rooms, Food & Service

Our room was comfortable, well-furnished, and quiet. The bedwas easy to sink into, and we slept well. According to guest reviews on TripAdvisor, some visitors mention that rooms can run a bit warm in summer and lackbuilt-in air conditioning — though the hotel often supplies fans or takesmeasures to help with cooling.

Dining & Breakfast

Dinner at the aptly named Josiah’s Restaurant was a delight.My fiancé and I enjoyed a well-paced meal with nicely presented dishes. Theambiance carried both sophistication and warmth.

Breakfast followed as a typical buffet spread: plenty of hotand cold options.

Key Figures & Highlights

·       147 refurbished rooms

·       11 meeting & event suites, capacity from 2up to 650 delegates (350 cabaret style)

·       “Gem of the Midlands” potential — wild card

·       Recreational amenities include an indoor pool,gym, steam room/sauna, and a garden.

·       280 parking spaces

·       10 EV Chargers

·       Events calendar at Etruria Hall includes tributenights, seasonal dinners, and community functions

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

This hotel is much more than a rest stop — it’s a story.It’s the blend of heritage and modern hospitality, personal care andprofessional execution, and a subtle charm rooted in the legacy of JosiahWedgwood.

If you’re planning a corporate event, especially one needinglarge capacity, this property should absolutely be on your shortlist. The eventinfrastructure is robust, and the historic ambiance adds a touch of gravitas.Great ‘wild card’ for the mid-Midlands option

For the leisure traveller, close enough to the attractionsof the Potteries region, yet offering something more memorable than a typicalmotorway hotel. Alton Towers approx. 40 mins away.

Mark and I liked the hotel not just because of Marie but themix of living heritage and more modern twist and what the venue has to offer.The property was clean, the staff friendly and helpful, good Wi-Fi, and anupbeat vibe.

Huge thank you once again to Marie, that kind of heart israre in hospitality — and when it’s there, it lifts everything around it!

 

Author:
Gail Crowe
Date created:
October 2, 2025

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