How to have a champion-worthy ice hockey playoffs weekend

It’s almost time for the 2019 PredictorBet Playoff Finals Weekend and we’re so excited!

For those of you who don’t know what we’re talking about, the playoffs weekend is the exhilarating crescendo to the ice hockey Elite League. It’s a full weekend of back-to-back matches at the National Ice Centre in Nottingham between the top clubs in the country. And, this year it takes place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April.

Fans come from all over to celebrate the end of the season and a sea of ice hockey shirts can be seen in the city centre as they make their way to the stadium.

Whether your team wins or loses, here are some suggestions to help you make sure you have a fantastic weekend!

Where to stay

Whether you have a one day ticket or you’re attending the whole weekend you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got somewhere comfy to stay. It’s an exciting and pretty intense weekend, so being able to relax in style at the end of the day (and before you set out on the morning) is key to ensuring you can keep up the pace.

The most luxurious way to do this is to stay in a serviced apartment slightly outside of the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It means you are close enough to all the action, but have a quiet haven to retreat to and recharge your batteries.

All of our apartments also have their own kitchen and a private bathroom, giving you a home away from home and allowing you to enjoy your break to the fullest.

Here is a selection of what we have to offer over that weekend:

- Marlborough Hall is a beautiful one bedroom apartment situated a mile from the National Ice Centre in a tranquil setting. There’s even a barbeque you can use if the weather is nice!

Marlborough Hall

- For larger groups, our Portland Square apartment is just the place. There are two double bedrooms, plus a sofa bed in the living room, so you can all sleep comfortably. And, you’re just over a mile to where the ice hockey will be.

Portland Square

- Kapwell House is ideal for anyone travelling from further away as this stylish two bedroom apartment comes with free parking. It’s situated less than a mile and a half away from the National Ice Centre, on one of the main bus routes into the city centre.

Kapwell House

If you’d like to find out about these or any of our other apartments, please get in touch

Where to eat and drink

If you’re going to spend the day cheering on your team – especially if you’ll be having a few beers too – you need to line your stomach properly before you start! And, that means filling up on a good breakfast.

Although the name doesn’t exactly scream breakfast, Annie’s Burger Shack does some of the best breakfasts that you will find for miles around. This all American themed bar and restaurant is the perfect accompaniment to a weekend of ice hockey and with breakfast dishes such as Rocky Mountain Stuffed French Toast, Maine Blueberry Pancakes, and Boston Franks and Beans you will never leave hungry.

In fact, the burgers are amazing at Annie’s too, so you can’t go wrong getting something to eat there at any time of the day.

If you’re looking for lunch before the games begin, or some dinner after, the Southbank city bar does delicious US inspired food and the large screens mean you can catch up on the other sport you’ll have missed during the weekend.

Or, if you’re just looking for something to drink, the Six Barrel Drafthouse is only a short walk away from the National Ice Centre. You’ll always find six real ales or craft beers on tap, as well as a large selection of cans and bottles to choose from.

Things to do

If you’re extending your stay beyond the weekend, or you find yourself with some spare time while you’re in Nottingham, why not continue the sporting theme?

Tucked underneath The Cornerhouse leisure complex you’ll find The Lost City Adventure Golf. It features two themed crazy golf courses that are great fun for all ages, and there’s no need to book (unless you are part of a big group).

Alternatively, why not try your hand at a game of ping pong at Das Kino? This stylish bar has Olympic standard ping pong tables available all day – though there’s no expectation you’ll be up to Olympic standard yourself!

We’d love to see some photos of your time in Nottingham for the Playoffs weekend. Why not share them with us on Facebook?