We stayed in a spacious air conditioned Executive Room on the top floor with views of the surrounding grounds, which featured a comfy double bed and a stylish bathroom with bath and shower. The room was spotlessly clean and looked good as new, very well appointed with all the essentials including a flat screen TV, safe, hair dryer, iron with board and mini bar, plus some extras such as complimentary still and sparkling mineral water, biscuits and mint chocolates. For a little luxury, gowns and slippers were provided along with a wrapped selection of luxurious toiletries. 

Parklands Restaurant is conveniently located on the ground floor, however we chose The Grill Inn which is adjacent to the hotel, next to the park entrance. A dinner upgrade is available to hotel guests for £16.95 per adult (or £6.50 per child), which provides a £20 food allowance at either. If you choose carefully you'll be able to enjoy a starter, main and a dessert within this.

The Grill Inn features a new Smokehouse menu this year, so we opted for the delicious Brisket, cooked perfectly and presented well. There is a wide choice so something for everyone and reasonably priced drinks. We suggest you avoid the donut stack, which is nothing more than supermarket mini donuts with a scoop of ice cream. The staff were very attentive throughout the meal, checking on us regularly and providing a well paced service.

Back at the hotel, children's entertainment is available on Friday and Saturday nights, there's the Carousel Bar for night owls, you can relax in your room, wander the grounds or venture down to the lake. Breakfast is served in the Parklands Restaurant 6.30am-10am weekdays and 7am-10.30am weekends, with a comprehensive continental selection and a full English breakfast buffet. Character Breakfasts are also available at weekends for an extra charge.

The gates to the theme park open at 9.30am giving you time to explore Drayton Manor Zoo before the rides open at 10.30am. The park was looking in great shape, especially the highly themed Thomas Land featuring a substantial extension for 2015, Ben 10 Ultimate Mission with an immersive queue line and the new Yogi Bear 4D Adventure this year. All rides were operating except Pirate Adventure, which was undergoing maintenance, with very limited downtime for any of the attractions during the day.

It was a busy day on park, but the queues were minimal except for a couple of the family coasters and almost no queues for several of the biggest rides. Last year's addition Air Race packs a serious punch, joining a solid line-up of thrill rides including Shockwave, G-Force, Maelstrom, Stormforce 10, Pandemonium and Apocalypse. We stopped for lunch at the new Sodor Airport Cafe where good quality options and iced coffees are available, and needing a pit stop in the afternoon we dropped into the Cartoon Network Cafe which lacks atmosphere but serves some yummy smoothies.

So after just under 24 hours at Drayton Manor we departed having enjoyed a decent meal, great night's sleep and an action-packed day of rides and attractions.

Book your stay at the Drayton Manor Hotel including theme park tickets