Live prices for your dates · free cancellation on many rooms

EN

Hotel · Blackpool · Lancashire

The Merlin Hotel

A no-frills, family-run hotel in the heart of Blackpool, within walking distance of the beach, Coral Island, and Blackpool Tower.

  • 10-minute walk to Coral Island Amusement Center
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
  • Full breakfast served daily (per guest reviews)
5.8 Needs improvement 1178 reviews Booking.com 5.8 · 1178 reviews

About

The Merlin Hotel

The Merlin Hotel sits on Charnley Road, minutes from the promenade and the town's biggest draws. Coral Island Amusement Center is a 10-minute walk away, Blackpool Tower is right around the corner, and Stanley Park is roughly 2 km out. It's a straightforward, no-surprises base for a seaside break.

The hotel keeps things simple: rooms come with heating, tea and coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs, and there's a mix of private and shared bathroom options. The team is known for being friendly and accommodating, and guests regularly mention the comfortable beds and the hearty breakfast.

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Smoke detectors

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Prime seafront location — Guests consistently praise the hotel's central position, with the beach, piers, Blackpool Tower, and Coral Island all within easy walking distance.
  • Friendly, welcoming staff — Reviewers repeatedly mention the helpful and accommodating team, who go out of their way to make guests feel at home.
  • Comfortable beds — Despite the simple facilities, many guests highlight the comfort of the beds and the quality of sleep they got.
  • Good value for money — With rooms from £69 and a full breakfast reported by guests, the hotel is seen as a budget-friendly option that delivers.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Basic, dated rooms — Several guests note that some rooms could do with updating, and facilities are described as bare-bones.
  • Shared bathrooms in some rooms — Not all rooms come with a private bathroom – a number of configurations use shared facilities, which may not suit everyone.
  • Strict check-in window — Check-in is only available between 15:00 and 22:00, and check-out is between 08:00 and 10:00, which could be tight for some travellers.
  • No on-site parking — The hotel does not list parking facilities, so guests arriving by car may need to find public parking nearby.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Family Shared Bathroom Room

  • 1 Single bed

Family Shared Bathroom Single Room

  • 1 Single bed
  • Heating

Shared Bathroom Double Room

  • 1 Double bed,2 Single beds

Private Bathroom Double Room

  • 1 Double bed
  • Private bathroom

Shared Bathroom Triple Room

  • Sleeping arrangements for 3 persons

Private Bathroom Triple Room

  • Sleeping arrangements for 3 persons
  • Private bathroom

Family Private Bathroom Twin Room

  • 2 Single beds
  • Private bathroom

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

Room Comfort

  • Heating
  • Dressing area
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Electric kettle
  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock
  • Free toiletries

Hotel Services

  • Wi-Fi
  • Luggage storage
  • 24-hour security
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access
  • No smoking on site

Family & Leisure

  • Board games
  • Dining table
  • Carpeted floor

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

5.8
Needs improvement 1178 reviews

Guest-rated 5.8/10 from 1,178 reviews

Booking.com · 5.8 · 1178 reviews
5.8Verified guest

“The staff were friendly and really helpful, the location was great, the bedding was clean, the bed was comfortable, and breakfast was lovely.”

5.8Verified guest

“It's a cheap room and as expected – handy to have tea and coffee facilities, plus a place to brush your teeth.”

5.8Verified guest

“An amazing experience overall. The hotel was clean, the staff were pleasant, and the location was easy. The family room had a very comfy bed, a kettle, central heating, and an iron. It's in a good area, right next to all the attractions, the centre, and the piers.”

5.8Verified guest

“The room was a real haven of comfort with a spacious double bed and a private bathroom that made for a relaxing and convenient stay.”

5.8Verified guest

“A spacious room with a big bed and a clean bathroom.”

5.8Verified guest

“We recently stayed at the Merlin and found it had some advantages. The location was convenient, just a short walk to the beach, which we enjoyed. The facilities were bare-bones, but the comfortable beds gave us decent sleep after long days out. We also met a friendly owner who made us feel welcome. Overall, it had its perks despite the drawbacks.”

04 — Location

Getting around Blackpool

The property sits in Blackpool.

Coral Island Amusement Center: A 10-minute walk from the hotel, this indoor arcade and family entertainment spot is a handy first stop, especially if the weather turns.

Blackpool Tower: Just around the corner, the iconic tower offers panoramic views and is the landmark that draws many guests to the Merlin's central location.

The Beach and Piers: The seafront is a short stroll away, with the North, Central, and South Piers offering classic seaside fun within easy reach.

Stanley Park: About 2 km from the hotel, this park is a calmer green space with gardens and a boating lake if you fancy a break from the promenade crowds.

2 Charnley Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 4PF, United Kingdom

Open in Google Maps

05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 15:00-22:00
Check-out
By 08:00-10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
13 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is between 15:00 and 22:00, and check-out is between 08:00 and 10:00.

Does the hotel have parking?

The hotel does not list any on-site parking facilities, so you may need to use public parking nearby.

Are pets allowed at The Merlin Hotel?

No, pets are not allowed on the property.

Is breakfast served?

Yes, guests mention that a full breakfast is served daily, with one review specifically noting it starts at 8:30 AM.

Do all rooms have a private bathroom?

No, some rooms have shared bathrooms – the hotel offers both private and shared bathroom options across its room types.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

The bottom line

A solid budget pick in the heart of Blackpool if you're after a clean bed, a friendly welcome, and a location that puts the seafront on your doorstep – and you're willing to overlook a bit of wear and tear.

5.8Best for travellers who prioritise location and value over luxury.

Ready to book The Merlin Hotel?

Tap through and we’ll open our booking partner’s site, with live prices and availability for your exact dates.

No payment on this site — you complete the booking on our partner’s site.