Staying at The Reserve at Chester Zoo: Is it worth it? – The Travel Hack

Did you know you can actually stay overnight at Chester Zoo?

We all know Chester Zoo is a brilliant day out, but you can now turn a visit into a proper little getaway by staying at The Reserve, a collection of luxury lodges with its own restaurant just moments from the zoo.

I visited with my daughter to celebrate our birthdays, which happen to fall on the same day. I thought it would be a lovely way for us to celebrate together and it turned out to be a really special treat.

We stayed in one of the lakeside lodges, enjoyed dinner and breakfast at Amboseli Restaurant, and had two days exploring one of the UK’s biggest and best-loved zoos.

But is staying at The Reserve at Chester Zoo worth the money? And which lodge should you book? Here’s everything you need to know before planning your visit.

What is The Reserve at Chester Zoo?

The Reserve is Chester Zoo’s luxury accommodation, designed to give you a little more than a standard hotel stay. It combines stylish lodges, a lovely restaurant and easy access to the zoo, making it ideal for a special occasion or a family weekend away.

Your stay includes two days’ entry to Chester Zoo, so you can explore at a much more relaxed pace than you would on a typical day trip.

I love the idea of turning a day out into a mini holiday. Instead of rushing around trying to see everything before the zoo closes, you can take your time, enjoy a proper meal and wake up ready for a relaxing breakfast and another day of adventures.

And while it’s definitely a family-friendly place, I think The Reserve could also work really well for couples looking for a romantic night away with a difference. It doesn’t feel ‘family-friendly’ and The Reserve is nice enough to be a hotel in its own right.

Staying in a Lakeside Lodge at The Reserve

We stayed in one of the lakeside lodges, and it was gorgeous. I knew they described themselves as luxurious but I wasn’t prepared for just how luxurious they were.

Staying at the zoo felt like a proper treat rather than simply somewhere to sleep after a busy day at the zoo. We arrived and at midday and were met by the Lodge Hosts, Ellie and Nick. It was too early to check in but they took our luggage and gave us our key card access to get into the zoo via Th Reserve Entrance which goes straight into The Heart of Africa.

There’s a special parking area for The Reserve guests but it’s a short walk away. I guess this must come down to logistics because that was the only non-luxurious thing about our stay. The Reserve parking area is neither close to The Reserve entrance nor the zoo entrance. It just felt a bit awkward.

My daughter and I both fell in love with Ellie, the Lodge Host, while we were checking in so she stayed with Ellie while I went to park. When I returned, Alba had told Ellie her entire life story and she had a couple of animal stickers she was very proud of!

Alba told Ellie it was both of our birthdays (of course!), a message Ellie must have passed on because we were wished a happy birthday by lots of staff members throughout our stay which I thought was a lovely, personal touch.

We then went into the zoo until 4pm, we had lunch in the zoo and then returned to The Reserve when it was time to check-in.

We were greeted with welcome cocktails and mocktails before being taken to our lodge.

Our lodge was huge with a king sized bed looking out over the lake. Glass doors filled the side facing the lake and opened onto a balcony area outside. There was a large sofa bed too and plenty of space for that to be folded out. Loads of storage space, a luxurious bathroom, a coffee machine and decor with rich, earthy tones made us fall in love with our lodge!

Alba, had a little gift of a toy zebra waiting for her in the room which was a lovely touch. She has named her zebra Ellie and she couldn’t wait to see Ellie the following day to tell her.

On first inspection, we were blown away by our lodge. But then we saw the giraffe lodges…

Should you book a Giraffe Lodge instead?

Now, here’s something I wish I’d thought about before booking.

As lovely as our Lakeside Lodge was, The Reserve also offers Giraffe Lodges overlooking the giraffe enclosure. Yes, you can stay overnight with a view of the giraffes!

In hindsight, I wish I’d booked one of these. They cost extra, but if you’re going to stay at a zoo, being able to watch the animals from your accommodation sounds like a pretty incredible experience. I didn’t let on to Alba (obviously!) but I wished I’d booked one of these.

In my opinion, an upgrade to a  Giraffe Lodge takes it from a luxury night away to a once in a lifetime experience. 

Of course, the Lakeside Lodges are still a lovely option, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing stay. But if your budget stretches to a Giraffe Lodge, I’d definitely compare the options before booking.

Dining at Amboseli Restaurant

One of the highlights of our stay was eating at Amboseli Restaurant, which is part of The Reserve.

We had both dinner and breakfast here and I was really impressed. The food was delicious, and the restaurant has a lovely atmosphere that feels special without being too formal. It’s the perfect vibe if you’re travelling with children.

Amboseli gets that balance right. It has a casually luxurious feel, making it suitable for families celebrating a birthday or couples enjoying a night away.

There weren’t many children there mid-week in October but if you wanted to avoid the family-friendly vibe then I’d just book a later dinner time and all the kids were gone. Chester Zoo currently offers a ‘Babies First Getaway’ package and there were 3-4 couples there with young babies.

I also liked that we didn’t need to worry about heading elsewhere for dinner after a busy day. Having a restaurant on site makes the whole experience feel easier, particularly when you’re travelling with younger children. Chester Zoo is a surprisingly tiring day out so this makes the evening much easier.

Exploring Chester Zoo over two days

One of the biggest advantages of staying at The Reserve is that your accommodation includes two days’ entry to Chester Zoo.

Chester Zoo covers around 130 acres, so there is a lot to see. It’s the sort of place where you can easily spend a full day exploring, and having a second day gives you the freedom to revisit your favourite areas, see anything you missed or just enjoy the cafes and parks.

I don’t live far from Chester Zoo and I was a member for about six years as I have two older sons too. Unfortunately for Alba, this was when she was a baby, so she loved having so much time to explore.

We all know what a zoo visit with children can be like. You might spend ages watching one animal, need an unexpected snack stop, or discover a brilliant play area just when you thought you were ready to move on.

There are animals to discover, gardens to wander through, play areas for children and plenty of places to stop for food and drinks. You can make the day as busy or as relaxed as you like.

And, of course, staying overnight means you can enjoy the zoo without immediately having to think about the drive home. You can finish your day, head back to your lodge and relax before starting all over again the next morning.

Is staying at The Reserve at Chester Zoo worth it?

It’s 100% worth it! There aren’t many experiences that are just as appealing to adults as they are to children, but this is one of them. The Reserve has achieved something very special here.

Personally, I wouldn’t visit the zoo without children. But if I was visiting just with another adult I definitely would stay at The Reserve on a package that doesn’t include zoo access.And I’d definitely book a Giraffe Lodge.

How much did it cost?

Many people assume The Reserve is extremely expensive but I think it’s good value.

I paid £277 to stay midweek in October. This included breakfast and 2 days access into the zoo for the two of us. Zoo tickets booked in advance are £25 (same price for adults and children) so that’s £100 in zoo tickets, making the stay £177 including breakfast.

For a birthday, a family treat or a special weekend away, I think it’s well worth considering.

Who is The Reserve at Chester Zoo best for?

I think The Reserve works particularly well for three types of trip.

A special family weekend. If your children love animals, this is a brilliant way to turn a zoo visit into a mini holiday. The lodges make the experience feel special, while the two days of zoo entry mean you can explore without rushing.

A birthday or celebration. This is exactly how we used our stay. Sharing a birthday with my daughter gave us the perfect excuse for a little getaway, and it was such a lovely way to celebrate together.

A romantic night away. You might not immediately think of a zoo as a romantic destination, but the luxury accommodation and restaurant make The Reserve an interesting option for couples, too. If you’re looking for something a little different from a standard hotel break, it could be a lovely choice.

My verdict: Would I stay at The Reserve again?

We had a wonderful time at The Reserve at Chester Zoo. The lakeside lodge was gorgeous, dinner and breakfast at Amboseli Restaurant were highlights, and I loved being able to turn a zoo visit into a proper overnight escape.

I particularly liked the fact that the experience felt special for both adults and children. Children are very welcome, but the accommodation and restaurant still have that lovely luxury feel.

If I visited again, I’d seriously consider booking one of the giraffe lodges. The lakeside accommodation was beautiful, but the chance to stay somewhere overlooking the animals would make the experience even more memorable.

I’d recommend The Reserve if you’re looking for a luxury family getaway, a birthday treat or a romantic escape with a difference.

And if you’re worried about the price, remember to factor in the two days of zoo entry when comparing your options. It’s not the same as booking a cheap hotel for the night, but you’re getting much more than just a bed to sleep in.

For us, it was a really lovely way to celebrate our birthdays, and I’d happily recommend it to anyone planning a special visit to Chester Zoo.

Frequently asked questions about staying at Chester Zoo

Can you stay overnight at Chester Zoo?

Yes. The Reserve at Chester Zoo offers luxury lodge accommodation, allowing you to combine an overnight stay with a visit to the zoo.

Does staying at The Reserve include zoo tickets?

Our stay included two days’ entry to Chester Zoo. Check the details of your chosen package when booking to confirm exactly what’s included.

Can you stay in a lodge overlooking the giraffes?

Yes, The Reserve offers giraffe lodges overlooking the giraffe enclosure. These cost extra compared with some other accommodation options, so check availability and prices before booking.

Is The Reserve at Chester Zoo suitable for children?

Yes. It’s a lovely option for families, particularly those with children who enjoy animals. Having two days to explore the zoo also makes it easier to take breaks and enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace.

Is The Reserve at Chester Zoo worth the money?

If you’re planning a special occasion or want to spend two days exploring Chester Zoo, it’s worth comparing the total cost of a stay with the price of separate accommodation and zoo tickets. The experience is more of a luxury treat than a budget break, but the combination of accommodation, dining and zoo access makes it an appealing option.

How long should you spend at Chester Zoo?

I’d allow two days if you want to explore at a relaxed pace. The zoo covers a large area, with plenty of animals, gardens, play areas and places to eat, so having an overnight stay gives you more time to enjoy it all.