we're going to take ava to chester zoo for her first birthday, can anyone recommend a hotel that's near , doesn't have to be too close as we'll have the car, no more than £70 a night. Thanks in advance xx

I haven't stayed in any of the Chester hotels but any in Newton/Hoole will be close and not too expensive. Further towards the out skirts of Chester will be easier as it's closer to the Zoo and you wont have to battle the Chester traffic (which through Hoole can be a pain in the backside!)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=hotels+chester&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=hotels&hnear=Chester,+Cheshire+West+and+Chester&ei=lS4OTf2sGcKKhQf_h8m3Dg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=4&ved=0CA8QtgMwAw

C on this map is the Hilton Double tree and they have a 50% deal on for weekends in 2011 at £83 so still a bit dear but by far the nicest.

Have stayed at, and can recommend, the Holiday Inn next to the racecourse and at Ellesmere Port - the latter being the best of the two with a small pool (in a separate building) but a bit quieter / easier to get to with being out of the centre... They often have offers on but when booked in advance offer good rate anyway (£60 upwards) but double check if that includes breakfast on the different the room / bed types http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/gb/en/reservation hth x

p.s. posted in msg forum about your cutie avatar

I'm going to book the ellesmere port one, we wanted to go to cheshire oaks when we were there so it'll be ideal, thanks for you help x