We were very impressed with our Deluxe Suite on the top floor, from the moment we stepped inside the stylish hallway with unusual art and scented sticks, through to the spacious lounge with large corner sofa, and into the beautiful bedroom with a king size bed. The lounge features a modern fireplace, large flat screen TV and a juliet balcony with views of the park. It's incredibly exciting to see roller coasters hurtle past your room!

Everything has been thought of, from complimentary wine, mineral water, biscuits and a Nespresso coffee machine, to all the standard amenities you would expect such as an iron with board and a hair dryer. There are plenty of entertainment options, with another large flat screen TV in the bedroom, a DVD player, DAB radio, iPod docking station, free WiFi and even a game of Backgammon. The bathroom has a walk in shower, large bath with candles and luxury toiletries, two sinks and a separate toilet room.

With a quick call to reception a table at the White Tower Restaurant was arranged, located on the penthouse floor of the Casino Building offering wonderful views of the seafront. The art deco style and feel of faded glamour made for a distinctive environment, and the service was absolutely top notch with every need catered for. We chose from the a la carte menu, and would recommend the divine Lobster Bisque and delicious Goosnargh corn fed chicken kiev. There is an extensive wine list and cocktails are also available on request. You'll pay more for a meal here but it's a very special place. Note that it is only open for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch.

The hotel has it's own Blues Bar & Brasserie serving breakfast from 7am-10am weekdays and until 10.30am at weekends, light meals and snacks throughout the day, dinner from 5.30pm-9.30pm, then drinks until late. It gets very busy at breakfast so be prepared to wait, but a plentiful selection of both continental and cooked breakfast awaits, to fuel you up for a full day enjoying all the rides and attractions at the park.

Hotel guests benefit from a VIP entrance to Blackpool Pleasure Beach which means you'll be ready to ride many of the park's best attractions including Red Arrows Skyforce and the Big One well before any other visitors. However, as the free parking for hotel guests is only until 11am on the day of departure, if you are staying the night before your day out you may need to leave the park after an hour to move your car.

There is nowhere quite like Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with 38 rides (including 10 roller coasters) packed into 42 acres, and the interweaving and overlapping tracks of an unrivalled variety of rare and historic attractions. Highlights include the Big One (which we did in both the front and back row), classic wooden coasters Big Dipper, Grand National, Nickelodeon Streak, Blue Flyer and the Wild Mouse. Indoor water ride Valhalla is simply world class, Nickelodeon Land provides so much for children, and there are also plenty of dark rides including Wallace & Grommit's Thrill-O-Matic and the River Caves.

Red Arrows Skyforce is a brilliant addition to the lineup of thrill rides, offering riders the ability to control their experience, so it can be a gentle flight through the air, a very intense ride where you almost spiral out of control, or a bit of both. Avalanche the bobsled coaster is an underated gem, Infusion is an intense coaster suspended entirely over water, Revolution is still quite fun but best avoid the laughable Impossible. All rides and attractions were operating, and despite being a sunny Sunday in Blackpool there were minimal queues.

Book your stay at the Big Blue Hotel including Blackpool Pleasure Beach wristbands