Grand National Hospitality: A Guide to the Best Race-Day Experiences
The Grand National is a prestigious horse race that occurs annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, bringing in over 160,000 spectators to the 3-day event. The popularity of this horse racing festival is worldwide, with over 500 million viewers per year witnessing the Grand National Steeplechase. The festival is extremely popular amongst horse racing fans who enjoy highly skilled racing or even those looking for free bets due to the history of this festival and the prestigious jockeys taking part. There are plenty of different ways to watch the races, whether it is via television at home, in dedicated fan zones or by getting tickets to this huge event in the horse racing calendar. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the hospitality options available that can upgrade your Grand National Experience.
The Basic Tickets
While no matter where you are located at Aintree, you are guaranteed to see some extremely talented horses and jockeys take part in some entertaining races, there is a big variation in ticket prices. The main festival area next to the track itself is the cheapest ticket option, priced at £31.50 online. This offers an extremely immersive experience, allowing viewers to get closer to the action and even experience live music and entertainment at intervals. There are plenty of food and beverage vendors in this zone, making it a great option for people who want to truly experience world-class racing up close. The unreserved seating section can be upgraded to The Embankment zone, offering a close view of the race and a good area to witness the first fences. This package is relatively similar to the Festival Zone package but offers additional betting areas and a big screen. Some unreserved seating tickets start at £45; there are also plenty of seating options available that begin at £55. Each seating zone has different benefits; whether it is a private bar or access to a certain area of Aintree racecourse, it’s best to look at all options to see what each ticket offers.
Restaurants
Aintree offers great race day dining choices through some of the most majestic and well-put-together restaurants and dining options that can elevate your Grand National visit. These restaurants each provide unique views of the race course and access to different areas that other tickets may not see. However, one common thing throughout the restaurant packages is the mouthwatering cuisine prepared by top chefs, enjoyed during a dining experience like no other. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular restaurant options in more detail.
The Tiger Roll Suite
Named after one of the most famous horses of recent years, the Tiger Roll suite pays respect to the 2 time, back-to-back Grand National winning horse with an extremely luxurious dining experience and a great view of the parade ring. This package includes a 4-course meal, a complimentary bar, traditional cream tea, complimentary race card, betting facilities and complimentary car parking. Despite only being available on Grand National Day, the experience that the Tiger Roll Suite offers is one of the more casual packages but is certainly one way to watch the races in comfort.
Princess Royal Restaurant
The Princess Royal Restaurant offers an incredibly stylish experience across the 3 days. This package offers outstanding views of the racecourse and winners' post with a 4-course meal, afternoon tea, complimentary bar, Jockey Club Tipster, racecard and newspaper, private betting and a private car park and chauffeur service.
The Sunloch
The Sunloch is situated on the first floor of the Lord Sefton Grandstand and offers an extremely luxurious viewing experience. The package includes a private balcony overlooking the Grand National course and Winner’s enclosure, a 4-course meal with selected wines, cream tea, a complimentary bar, private betting, private car park and restaurant entertainment.
Private Boxes
Private boxes provide the ideal and prestigious setting for business events or even just a luxurious way to watch the historic races unfold with family and friends. The private boxes feature a private room with quick service, dining and a view of the course that is unmatched. It allows you to witness the race from one of the best spots on the race course whilst still being able to take in the electric atmosphere. There are various packages, from Pavillion Executive Boxes to Grandstand Boxes, that all offer different bonuses and experiences.
The Art School
The Art School is a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the Grand National that is unmatched when it comes to packages that provide the most luxury experience. The extremely prestigious package features a 6-course tasting menu from celebrity chef Paul Askew with a champagne afternoon tea, complimentary wine and champagne, complimentary soft drinks, a private table, private betting service and a private car parking space. This is one of the most expensive packages, but it allows users to experience a day of world-class racing like no other.
