BACKGROUND
Intercontinental Hotel Group’s latest Manchester Holiday Inn opened in April.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The hotel has the newest Holiday Inn brand standards in place, and in many areas surpasses them. The large signature “Open Lobby” has a bar, a restaurant, an eclectic mix of brightly coloured furniture and a clear check-in area facing the entrance so you don’t have to wander around when you first enter through the glass doors. Staff were friendly, willing and able to help, necessary since I’d booked the wrong night and had arrived 24 hours early. This continued throughout the stay (the friendliness, not my incompetence), with the restaurant staff chatting away to us and offering advice on where to visit.
WHERE IS IT?
On Aytoun Street, close to the Piccadilly area, opposite Manchester Crown Court. It joins several Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels in Manchester, so make sure you book the one you want (and arrive at the right one). The Metrolink tram system is a good way to get around, and the interchange for various lines is a two-minute walk away in Piccadilly Gardens. From next year it will be possible to take the tram all the way to the airport from here. There is parking around the corner at a reduced rate for guests (£17.50 for 24 hours) in the closest NCP car park.
ROOM FACILITIES
The 298 rooms are on eight floors and, as the hotel is in a U-shape, views are across Aytoun Street to the Crown Court, over Rochdale canal across to the Doubletree by Hilton or at the back on Roby Street towards the Malmaison. All rooms are a good size – the 146 Standard Double and 105 Standard Twin rooms measure 24 sqm and have air conditioning, 40-inch LCD smart TVs, free wifi, USB ports at desk level and by the beds, ironing boards and tea and coffee facilities. The 26 King Executive rooms (35 sqm) come with a minibar, free mineral water, newspapers, robes and slippers, a separate bath and shower, and additional toiletries. There are also 19 Junior suites, one Deluxe suite and a top-floor Master suite.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The Open Lobby concept works very well in this hotel. A big space, taking up most of the ground floor, it manages to be lively without being noisy, and is a pleasant place for breakfast, afternoon tea or an evening meal or drink. Typography on the walls references songs by Manchester bands, while cocktails on offer include Our Kid and Twisting My Melon. The evening menu has everything from Lancashire hotpot to Eccles cakes, and the To Go Café serves Starbucks coffee and tea. There are plenty of plug sockets and USB points on the high tables and also in the booth seating so you can work, recharge and use the free wifi.
MEETING FACILITIES
Ten of the 12 meeting rooms are on the lower ground floor, which has access to a bar/breakout area and terrace overlooking the Rochdale canal. They are reached down some stairs with a neon sign featuring the famous quote from music impresario Tony Wilson: “This is Manchester, we do things differently here.”
LEISURE FACILITIES
On the first floor there is a large gym kitted out with new equipment, towels and water.
VERDICT
An excellent hotel in a central location and a good advert for the new Holiday Inns currently being opened or refurbished. The staff are friendly, empowered and willing to go the extra mile to make sure guests have a great stay.
PRICE
Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in September started from £113 for a Standard Double room.
CONTACT
25 Aytoun Street; tel +44 (0)161 242 5444; himanchestercity.com
