WHAT’S IT LIKE? Eight years ago, Surinder Arora built a hotel opposite Heathrow after listening to flight crew complaining about places to stay. Now his company has four Arora International Hotels (two at Heathrow, one at Gatwick and the Manchester property), and has won the franchise for the Gatwick Sofitel and the Sofitel T5 (see Upfront, page 8). The Arora International Manchester is different from the other properties because it is not an airport hotel (although 90 rooms are set aside for crew), it is in a Grade II Listed former cotton mill – and, as Sir Cliff Richard is a part-owner, there are a few themed rooms with Cliff memorabilia on the walls.
WHERE IS IT? Opposite the Manchester Art Gallery, it is 10 minutes’ walk from Piccadilly Station or £3 in a taxi. Round the corner is St Peter’s Square and the Town Hall.
HOW MANY ROOMS? Six floors with 141 rooms (seven with disabled access), including Double rooms, Queen rooms, Premiere Kings, Double Doubles (these are Cliff Richard suites) and Executive rooms.
ROOM FACILITIES You need your key card to get the lift to the room floors. My room was 202, a Park King Suite, with beige and brown décor and large windows looking on to a side street. There were two leather hard chairs with foot rests and a table, a TV which swivelled on top of a cabinet where I found the tea and coffee-making facilities, and a desk area with a light and mirror. There was also a hairdryer and phone. The bed had a plump duvet, white pillows and purple cushions, and inside the wardrobe there was an ironing-board and iron, a safe and an umbrella. The bathroom was smart, with a shower in the bath, a deep sink and non-steam mirror, as well as a shaving mirror and speakers from the TV. The air-conditioning was easy to control and quiet. I set the wake-up call on the TV and used the wired internet access (£10 per 24 hours). Executive rooms are larger, with more toiletries and a bidet.
BAR AND RESTAURANTS The Obsidian Bar and Restaurant on the lower ground floor also has a separate entrance for the public. The bar is a long neon cocktail bar with high chairs. I had the signature Pornstar Martini (£6.50) with vanilla vodka combined with pineapple, lemon juice and fresh passion fruit juice served with a shot of champagne, which was very smooth. The Obsidian Restaurant is just off the bar in a cream cocoon-like setting, with plants creeping up the corners of the walls and four recessed booths. There are strips of neon blue light across the ceiling and candles on the tables as well as red drapes dividing spaces. It was very atmospheric and when I was there on a Wednesday there were a large group of businessmen, a group of friends and a few couples dining there. I was seated in one of the beige leather booths, which I appreciated, being a lone diner. The Polish sommelier was cheery and helpful with my choice of pan-fried scallops for starter, and sea bass for main course, recommending an Australian white. I had a sorbet to cleanse the palate, before my sea bass (£17.50), which was cooked with butternut squash, vanilla-scented salsify and lobster juice. It was tasty and tender with crispy skin. For dessert I opted for the mojito cheesecake with a shot of mojito, which was inspired. The set menu was also good value, with three courses for £13.95. The restaurant is open for dinner until 10pm, and breakfast is also served here, with a selection of hot and cold dishes and a delicious apple and pear muesli (7-10am weekdays and 8-11am weekends).
MEETING AND BUSINESS FACILITIES There are three boardrooms (no natural light), which can seat 12 people. All are equipped with huge flatscreen TVs, DVDs and internet access. There is wireless internet access in public areas and wired in rooms and meeting rooms. The Charters Suite can be divided in two. Reception can help with any faxing and photocopying and there is a computer you can use for £1 an hour. For a quiet area to relax or work there is the Princess Lounge on the ground floor, which has chairs and natural daylight, and will shortly have a computer for internet access.
LEISURE FACILITIES A glass fitness room with two running machines, a bike and a step machine is open 24 hours and accessible by keycard. There are no changing rooms, so you have to take the lift to your room to shower.
VERDICT A lovely location, and the friendly staff and stylish Obsidian Restaurant and Bar are great assets to the hotel.
PRICE Fully flexible internet rates for a mid-week stay in mid-October started at £127.
CONTACT 18-24 Princess Street; tel +44 (0)161 236 8999; arorainternational.com.
Felicity Cousins
