A stay at The Reserve makes a Chester Zoo family trip even more amazing, as Rochelle Streater and her kids found out on a magical weekend this December.
Welcome to The Reserve at Chester Zoo
We can’t say enough good things about this Chester Zoo family trip
There’s something truly special about combining a Chester Zoo family trip with luxury accommodation, and The Reserve delivers this in spectacular fashion. Our family weekend away exceeded every expectation, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
We opted for one of the new lake view lodges at The Reserve, though families can also choose accommodation overlooking the giraffe enclosure: imagine waking up to those gentle giants! From the moment we stepped inside our lodge, we were impressed by the spacious, beautifully designed interior that struck the perfect balance between modern design and homely comfort. Everything felt pristine, with thoughtful touches throughout that made us feel instantly welcome.
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A Chester Zoo family trip with added enchantment
Surprise guests made our stay at The Reserve even more fun
As we settled in and began getting ready for dinner, there was an unexpected knock at the door. What followed took our Chester Zoo family trip to the next level of magical.
An elf appeared, who knew our children by name, accompanied by the most authentic-looking Santa I’ve ever seen: his costume was flawless, without a single detail out of place. And they didn’t just pop in and leave, they spent time singing Christmas songs with us, playing games, and creating an incredibly special Santa’s Ultimate Festive Stay, before presenting the girls with gifts. No surprise my daughters were absolutely over the moon and, even as parents who’ve had plenty of Santa meet ‘n’ greets, we were genuinely impressed by the natural warmth of this experience.
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That magical Chester Zoo feeling
The benefits of adding a sleepover to your Chester Zoo family trip
Dinner was just a minute’s walk from our lodge at the on-site restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious three-course meal. The menu catered well for both adults and children, and there was no hint of the usual parents having to compromise for kids, or the other way round. And you only had to see all the clean plates on our table to know how good the food was.
After a restful night’s sleep on exceptionally comfortable mattresses, we woke early to fuel up with a full breakfast before the highlight of our stay: an exclusive hour-long tour of the zoo before it opened to the public.
A Chester Zoo family trip is always great fun, but this early access experience was extraordinary. Being up close and personal with the giraffes and elephants without crowds was unforgettable and seeing these magnificent animals in such an intimate setting gave us a completely different understanding of them.
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Getting up close to the main attractions, Chester Zoo family trip
Even in winter we loved our day at the zoo
The British weather was being its usual wintery self in the afternoon and, with rain setting in, we really appreciated the complimentary rain macs that Chester Zoo had thoughtfully provided so we could enjoy the rest of our day outdoors without getting soaked.
As it turned out, the penguins (stars of any Chester Zoo family trip) were absolutely thrilled with the rainy conditions, putting on quite the show as they splashed about. Although the zoo’s well planned layout meant we could still explore comfortably despite the weather, and its shops offered plenty of opportunity to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Fair warning: it’s hard to leave empty-handed when kids spot the plush animals!
Beyond the animal encounters, Chester Zoo’s various food outlets and cafés kept us well-fed throughout the day, with options ranging from quick snacks to more substantial meals: all to the same great standards we’d enjoyed at dinner.
From start to finish our was nothing short of magical. The combination of luxury accommodation, good food, exclusive zoo access, and that unforgettable Santa experience makes adding The Reserve to your Chester Zoo family trip an absolute must-do. Even if you’re just considering it for that alone, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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Make It Happen
How to get there
Train from London Euston to Chester from 2 hours, 5 minutes
Chester Station to Chester Zoo from 11 minutes by taxi
Where to stay
Giraffe Lodge, The Reserve (2 adults, 2 children) from £675 per night. Includes 2-day zoo pass; early zoo access; zoo tours; breakfast and dinner and more.