Hyatt has announced plans to add a dual-branded property in Manchester next year.

The group says it will open the Hyatt Regency Manchester Oxford Road and Hyatt House Manchester Oxford Road in 2020, both housed within the Lume building.

While it isn’t mentioned in the press release, a spokesperson for Hyatt has confirmed that the new hotels will in fact be a rebranding of the current Staybridge Suites and Crowne Plaza properties within the Lume.

The two IHG hotels opened in September 2018, and Business Traveller reviewed the Staybridge Suites Manchester – Oxford Road this summer.

Hotel review: Staybridge Suites Manchester – Oxford Road

 

The 212-room Hyatt Regency Manchester Oxford Road (currently the Crowne Plaza Manchester Oxford Road) features a ground floor restaurant and bar, club lounge, fitness centre and seven meeting rooms.

Meanwhile the 116-room Hyatt House Manchester Oxford Road (currently the Staybridge Suites Manchester – Oxford Road) has its reception on the 18th floor, and features a breakfast area and small meeting area, as well as sharing the facilities of the hotel below it.

Business Traveller has also received the following statement from owners M&L Hospitality:

“M&L Hospitality can confirm it has advised IHG and Cycas that its agreements to operate and manage the two hotels within the “The Lume” on Oxford Road Manchester under the brands of Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites will be coming to an end at 11.59pm on 9 January 2020.

“When M&L Hospitality entered into the franchise and management agreements, the building was not yet constructed. What became apparent in the early months of operations is that the hotel needed a new brand that would better complement its unique design and position in the University of Manchester’s Campus. As a result, we made the commercial decision to end the agreements at the appropriate juncture.

“M&L Hospitality is pleased to confirm that an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation is the new hotel management operator of the 328-room combined Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House hotels, effective from midnight 10 January 2020. The 212-room full-service hotel will become Hyatt Regency Manchester Oxford Road; the 116-room long-stay hotel will become Hyatt House Manchester/Oxford Road.

“M&L Hospitality is confident that the transition to Hyatt will cause no disruption to guests, employees and partners. It has the full co-operation of both hotel operators to ensure a seamless handover and guests remain the top priority.

“The Lume’s employees are employed by M&L Hospitality. There will be no changes to the terms of employment. We are focused on growing The Lume’s business and plans to create more jobs.

“M&L Hospitality has a strong relationship with Hyatt, owning Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport as well as Hyatt Regency Sydney, Australia’s largest hotel.

“M&L Hospitality appreciates the efforts by IHG and Cycas for their work in Manchester and continues to maintain its strong working relationship with IHG and Cycas. In M&L Hospitality’s current portfolio there are four IHG branded hotels in the UK (Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport; Crowne Plaza Aberdeen Airport; Holiday Inn Stratford City London; and Staybridge Suites Stratford City London) as well as three Cycas managed hotels (Holiday Inn London, Stratford City; Staybridge Suites Stratford City London and Hyatt Place London, Heathrow Airport). ”

An IHG spokesperson said:

“We have a positive relationship with M&L Hospitality, with a number of successful IHG branded properties across their portfolio.

“We are naturally disappointed to see these brand changes but look forward to working with M&L Hospitality to deliver great guest experiences in our other locations.”

The Lume building is situated on Oxford Road, directly between the city’s two universities and opposite the Alliance Business School, within walking distance of the city centre.

Hyatt says it expects to have 11 branded hotels in the UK by 2022, joining existing properties including Andaz London Liverpool Street, Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport, Hyatt Place West London/Hayes, Hyatt Regency Birmingham, and Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.

The group’s forthcoming Great Scotland Yard hotel is also set to open next month under Hyatt’s Unbound Collection.

Commenting on the news Felicity Black-Roberts, vice president of development Europe, Hyatt, said:

“We are excited to announce plans to work with M&L Hospitality to introduce two of Hyatt’s brands to Manchester. Hyatt has been focused on growing its brand presence in the UK, and with Manchester being one of UK’s most important commercial centres, this is a milestone.

“Manchester is also a destination that is increasingly gaining popularity with leisure travellers. The location by the university will allow the Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House brands to capitalize on two very different, but important, market segments by allowing guests to choose the right setting for their needs.”

hyatt.com