Tried & Tested

Apartment review: Hyatt House Manchester

1 Jun 2022 by Hannah Brandler

Hyatt House Manchester suite with kitchenette and bedroom

Background

The new-build Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites property was rebranded as a Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House in 2020, with both hotels sharing public spaces. This marked the debut of the extended stay Hyatt House brand in the UK, which offers studio or one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and a hybrid living and working space.

Where is it?

In the city’s ‘The Lume’ building on a peaceful landscaped square just off Oxford Road. It is a 20-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station or a 10-minute walk from Oxford Road station. The area is known as Manchester’s Innovation District due to its academic institutions. The Alliance Manchester Business School is also connected to the hotel, and professors and researchers often use the facilities.

What's it like?

It’s a beautiful open-plan area which has sleek furnishings, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows which flood the space with natural light. It feels very airy and clutter-free, with pops of colour to brighten up the white interiors.

The ground floor houses a reception and lounge-like public spaces as well as the bar and restaurant, while a commanding staircase leads up to the events spaces on the second floor.

Guests check in at the Hyatt Regency counter and access the Hyatt House apartments through a room to the right of reception which has separate lifts to those for the Hyatt Regency – there is also a separate side entrance which is locked at night.

Hyatt Regency’s 212 rooms are located on the lower floors, while Hyatt House’s 116 apartments are on floors 12-18. For security purposes guests must swipe their keycards before selecting their floor. I arrived early so my room was not yet ready but I enjoyed working in the lounge area and used the speedy wifi.

The hotel also has a small courtyard facing the University Green, featuring the colourful ‘Beejing’ sculpture by Jessica Perrin at its centre which celebrates traditional Chinese design while also paying homage to Manchester’s emblem. There is a plaque inside to explain the artwork.

I opted for the online express checkout on my last day which was simple and speedy – I just had to drop off my keycard in a box right by the exit.

Rooms

My 45 sqm one-bedroom suite on the 14^th floor was incredibly spacious, with an attractive lounge area with an L-shaped sofa and floor-to-ceiling windows offering beautiful views over Manchester. My visit coincided with sunny weather in Manchester, meaning I was lucky enough to enjoy gorgeous views of the sun setting amid high-rises in the city centre.

The fully-fitted kitchen features a white-tiled backsplash and high-tech shiny appliances including an induction hob, microwave oven and a Nespresso machine, with a dining table that can accommodate four guests.

Guests are also greeted by a basket of fruit upon arrival to their rooms, which is a nice touch. There is also a kettle, Twinings tea bags and a bottle of still and sparkling water.

I used the dining table as a desk during my stay and was able to charge my laptop at the same time due to well-located USB and plug sockets. Guests can also request printing services from the front desk.

The bedroom, which can be shut off from the living area, is sleek and includes a comfortable king bed with side tables featuring lamps, and USB and plug sockets. There is a Smart TV facing the bed (there’s also one in the living area), a full-length mirror and two large wardrobes with a small safe, bathrobes and slippers. The bathroom has a powerful shower over a bathtub and full-sized toiletries.

The only downside was that I found it to be very cold on arrival due to the air conditioning, and it took a while to warm up so I had to make the most of layers.

There are 24-hour laundry facilities on the 17^th floor which are accessible by keycard. Rooms are cleaned every three days, though daily housekeeping can be requested at reception.

Food and drink

The open-plan ground floor is home to The Laureate restaurant and The Graduate bar, both of which take their names from the city’s academic heritage. The former is a smarter restaurant-style venue, featuring burgundy leather banquettes, floor-to-ceiling windows and an open kitchen. The Graduate, meanwhile, has a more informal feel, with high-top bars and smaller two-person tables.

The complimentary breakfast buffet served at The Laureate is excellent, offering a huge variety of both hot and cold dishes – including requests for omelettes and ‘any style’ eggs – as well as cold cuts, pastries, fresh fruit and yoghurts (individually portioned overnight oats and bircher muesli) and vegetarian options. It is also beautifully laid out, with labels written on the marble countertops to signpost items.

During my stay, dinner was served at the casual The Graduate bar, with football broadcast on the TV in the background. It was entertaining for a solo traveller, and not so loud that it would disturb those enjoying conversation over food. The à la carte menu includes sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and salads.

I enjoyed a Greek Salad but, when I asked whether it was possible to get some bread to mop up the dressing, it was disappointing to receive sliced white toast – the kind that you get at the breakfast buffet. It was surprising given the emphasis on sourdough on the menu.

The bar also offers both classic cocktails and a science-inspired collection which includes the Art of Science, The Catalyst and The Elements cocktails.

Leisure

There’s a well-sized 24-hour gym on the first floor with floor-to-ceiling windows and framed football shirts nodding to Manchester’s sports scene.

Meetings

The second floor has seven meeting rooms named after Manchester’s famous academics. There is also an event space on the 18^th floor with beautiful views of the city.

Verdict

This is an excellent property offering both hotel rooms and serviced apartments in a fascinating part of Manchester. The light-filled public spaces are inviting, and the room was comfortable for both work and to relax. I was also impressed with the modern fittings and appliances.

For more news on Manchester’s hospitality industry see:

New and upcoming Manchester hotels (2022)