![[AD - Press visit]
We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)
![[AD] ***Summer of fun at Barracudas Activity Camps!****
There is plenty for kids to do at @barracudas_activity_day_camps
From Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Motor Sports and more you can be sure that there will be something for kids aged 4.5-14. ⚽🏈🥅🎾🏓🏎️🏹🏊♂️🏉
You can book on a day by day basis - so it can fit in with any other days out/activities you have planned and there are early drop off and late pickup options available. Barracudas are also Ofsted registered so you can use your Childcare Vouchers too.
⭐⭐⭐Get £20 off a week or £4 off a day using my discount code: MARIA20⭐⭐⭐
#BarracudasActivityDayCamp #BarracudasActivityCamp #BarracudaAmbassadors #SummerHolidays #SchoolHolidays #Summer2023 #SummerCamp #DayCare #Camp #KidsCamp #surreymummy #surreymums #SummerOfFun #ActivityCamps #HolidayCamps #Childcare #SchoolHolidays #schoolholidaycamps](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/353583570_625625966167953_545896259645102575_n.jpg)
![[AD] We have some super exciting news...we have been chosen to be Laser Quest Ambassadors, and the boys are over the moon!
We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
#LaserquestAmbassador #Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyFun #DaysOutWithKids #Lasertag #LaserquestVR #Kingston #ThingsToDoInKingston #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyMummy #SurreyLife #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #familyfunday](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/353230107_797358078406942_2405522556733455165_n.jpg)
![[AD] The sun has finally made an appearance and the boys have been making the most of it by spending it
in the garden.
They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
You can read my full review here: https://www.suburban-mum.com/messi-foldable-football-goal/
#TrainLikeMessi #FoldableFootballGoal #FootballSkills #OutdoorFun #LionelMessi #LeoMessi #FootballAtHome #OutdoorKids #JustGetOutside #OutdoorsAndFree #ScreenFreeKids #WhateverTheWeatherKids @flair_gp](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/341194882_615024710178056_41977149395989448_n.jpg)
![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)
![[AD - Gifted]
Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
If you’re local to Twickenham and fancy giving them a try here’s are the details.
Tsaretta Spice Bottomless Brunch
⭐️£37.50 per head for bottomless Prosecco or cocktail of the day
⭐️£55 per head for bottomless Champagne
⭐️ Food included: 4 tapas selections and dessert or 2 tapas selections, a pav or naanwich and dessert
⭐️ Non-alcohol brunch is also available
Tsaretta Spice
55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)
![[AD] What does family look like for you?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong, powerful women in the form of my mum, sister and mother-in-law (along with many others). With Mother’s Day just around the corner, @BootsUK want to celebrate all the different mums and mother figures we are lucky enough to have in our lives. They have a huge range of Mother’s Day gifts to choose from so we can show them how much they mean to us. (swipe to take a look at some of my choices)
If you want to express love and appreciation for the mother figure(s) in your life, head to Boots.com to find the ideal gift. They have a whole host of gifts, so you can be sure to find something to suit all tastes. Celebrate the #LoveForAllMums this Mother’s Day with Boots.
](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/334276459_136658625736352_6403224988403337253_n.jpg)
![📚 Are you ready for World Book Day? 📚
[AD - Gifted] I don't know about you, but I have never made the boys a costume for #WorldBookDay. I just don't have it in me to be creative that way. Their costumes have always been bought or cobbled together with what we already have, and luckily, the school allow you to wear pyjamas to school, which makes things a lot easier!
M has been living in his @TheRealTomGates pyjamas recently, and I think he might wear these when his World Book Day dress-up day comes around (the school celebrate with Book Week rather than just Book Day)
The boys have been fans of Tom Gates for a while now. M has always loved reading books that make him laugh and contain humour - they tend to keep him engaged in reading.
Did you know that there are now 20 Tom Gates storybooks to get stuck into? Ideal for kids aged 6-12, the series consists of feel-good, hilarious books full of photos and stories about Tom's life at home and school. Best of all, you can read them in any order.
The latest book is Tom Gates: Happy to Help (Eventually), and along with the pyjamas, you can pick them up from @GeorgeAtAsda just in time for World Book Day!
There's also a range of Tom Gates items, including games, puzzles and greeting cards at major retailers.
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What the Thorpe Shark shipping container hotel is really like
Although we don’t live far from Thorpe Park, (it’s located in Staines which is a half hour drive from where we live) we had the opportunity to stay at the onsite hotel. The boys love a hotel stay so we couldn’t say no. It also meant we’d be able to access the park early the next day (full review will be on the blog soon). So we arranged to check-in on the Sunday after May half-term to take advantage of a quieter Monday (the boys had an inset day at school)
We parked up in The Thorpe Park car park (parking is free to guests of the hotel) and headed to check-in.
The boys were already buzzing as they’d spotted roller coasters on our way in but their mouths dropped open when they saw the entrance to the hotel.
E went through an obsession with sharks a few years back and still hold them, dear. He was rather impressed by the model shark that had been made out of junk and thought it was super cool that you had to walk through its mouth to get to our room!
Checking-in
Checking-in took less than 10 minutes. The reception staff already had our booking to hand and after a brief run-down on breakfast times, how to use the air-con in the room we were handed our entry card for our room for the night.
Hotel with a difference
The hotel is just a short distance from the park itself and is made up of two floors. It sits on a beautiful lake with some lovely views. It’s not a conventional hotel as the rooms have been converted from blue shipping containers with a nautical theme. The boys found it rather exciting that they were staying in a “container” Mr H and I had previously seen some photos of the rooms online and were a little concerned that it was going to be a very tight squeeze for a family of four.
The room
I won’t lie, it’s quite small (it is a shipping container after all) but it does have everything you need for a night’s stay.
All rooms are designed to sleep up to four people. They have Bunk beds, a double bed with a TV mounted on the wall, a table with a mirror, some drawers and storage space for suitcases. A kettle is provided as well as tea and coffee and bottles of water.
The wetroom has a toilet, sink and a shower.
The beds were clean and comfy. Each had its own light which was handy for the boys.
There are no windows in the room apart from a porthole in the door, but even then, you aren’t able to open that to let some air in.
We made the mistake of all showering that evening before bedtime and even though the room is air-conditioned the wet room remained wet and in the morning some of our clothes were damp from the moisture.
A top tip would be to shower in the morning before you check out as this would avoid this problem we encountered.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in Fin’s Bar and Grill which is a short walk away in The Dome just before you head into the main resort.
They also serve lunch and dinner here too but we only visited for breakfast.
Breakfast is buffet style and is included in the price of your stay. There is a good selection of pastries, cereals, yoghurts and fruit as well as the traditional English Breakfast.
Worth the stay?
I do think that the room is small for a family of four. I think it would be adequate for a couple sharing, but for a family of four, it is a bit of a squeeze. It would also really benefit from having a window. That being said – the boys loved the fact they got to stay in a shipping container for the night and we were well rested, ready for a full day of fun at Thorpe Park.
Prices for a room at the Thorpe Shark Hotel start from £58pp, this includes free wifi and parking, entry to the park (you get your second day free), breakfast, unlimited fast track until 11am.
As we live so close we probably wouldn’t look to stay again. However, if you are travelling a fair distance and want somewhere to crash for the night then the Thorpe Shark Hotel would fit the bill. The resort also offers the same deal with 2 nights entry to the park for local hotels too, so if you are wanting a few more home comforts and space this could well be the better option.
Check out the video we made to give you more of an idea of what the room is like
Pin it for later:
*We received a complimentary night’s stay at The Thorpe Shark Hotel for the purpose of this review.
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About The Author
15 thoughts on “What the Thorpe Shark shipping container hotel is really like”
I have never stayed at a theme park hotel before, it definitely looks like it was designed with kids in mind. Love the shark mouth entrance 🙂
Oh I love somewhere a bit quirky like this, good tip about the showering though! Hope you had a fab time in the park.
Stevie x
Wow – that certainly something a bit different! It certainly looks small but I guess managable for just one night to avoid a long journey in the morning #TriedTested
What an unusual place to stay. They look a lot of fun.
Great tip about the showering. That is something I wouldn’t have thought of.
The breakfast looks so good x
#TriedTested
This is totally awesome, I think my little boy would totally love to stay here,completely obsessed with sharks right now 🙂 #triedtested
This is somewhere we would love to visit, but we are so far away, so it’s lovely to hear the hotel is so good! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
We’re only 20mins from Thorpe Park and never been!! It’s a bit sad really 🙁 the hotel sounds like a really quirky place to stay and handy for the park 🙂 Maybe this summer we’ll make it there… #TriedTested
Sounds like a fun experience even if there were a few probs. We live near Thorpe Park but have never visited so we really must! #triedtested
Oh I need to go back to Thorpe Park soon. I’m thinking that they probably don’t cater for families of 5 if 4 is such a squeeze! #TriedTested
That looks kinda cool. We are a little to young yet.. spend a bit more time at chessington at the moment. #kcacols
We’re going to Thorpe Park for the first time next month – I can’t wait!
Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week
This sounds like an interesting alternative of places to stay. I’ve never heard f one of these before. Thanks for sharing with #KCACOLS please come back soon.
I love the entrance to the hotel, but as you said I think it would be too small for 4 of us.
#KCACOLS
I love the shark entrance! I agree, the room looks a bit small, but I bet all kids would love it! Handy as you say, for getting up and out to the park early the next day. The breakfast looks delicious! #KCACOLS
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