HOTEL REVIEW: Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Today’s article is by regular reader contributor, Graham.

The Hotel

Formerly the MacDonald Hotel, Manchester and previously before that British Telecom offices, the building has been reborn opening in the summer as the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly after a £33 million rebranding and refurbished project.

The 330 room four star hotel is conveniently situated alongside Piccadilly railway station and also a five minute walk into the city centre. If you happen to be a music fan the hotel is another five minute walk away from the Warehouse project which hosts famous dance music DJ’s. The legendary music venue, the Manchester Apollo is also within a good ten minutes walk away. The tram system at Piccadilly also serves both Manchester City and Manchester United football clubs.

Arrival

Having parked my car in the hotel car park (£25.00 daily rate) to the rear of the hotel I was greeted by a friendly receptionist. Her warm and inviting greeting was most welcome after a tiring drive through the Friday evening motorway traffic.

To the left of the reception area sits the hotel bar which celebrates Manchester’s most famous contributors to the world of music and football. A red booth – The Lobby Phone allows guests, especially Manchester United ones, to recount over the red telephone stories about the club from former football players and their fans, though Manchester City fans will probably give the experience a swerve!

On the pillars of the walls sit mementos to some of the famous Manchester bands including Oasis, New Order, Buzzcocks and The Stone Roses which gave what otherwise could have been another bland hotel a local feel.

Rooms and Suites

With the hotel covering a large area, walking to your room along the equally long corridors might seem a bit of a trek; however, the two central lifts are extremely fast.

Starting with the entry level Deluxe King Room, followed by Executive rooms, Panoramic Junior Suite to Executive Suite, the latter three give access to the M Club Lounge which serves a continental breakfast as well as a small evening meal buffet consisting of two hot dishes, a charcuterie platter of various hams, salami and cheese, fruit and cold desserts. Alcoholic drinks are included too. A good description of the food offered would be similar to what you would expect in one of the better airport lounges. A calm oasis on the first floor of the hotel, the M Club Lounge is also suitable for catching up on any business matters as the fast WiFi and the addition of a printer and monitor was an added advantage.

My Panoramic Junior Suite was a corner room situated at the far end of the hotel that overlooked one of the lower platforms of Piccadilly railway station. The faint rumble of the trains did detract from a very good nights sleep in the superking bed that was one of the most comfortable I have slept in.

A good sized suite (344 sq feet) with plenty of USB points and electrical sockets, with a Nespresso coffee maker along with a kettle should you require a drink. Impressively the fridge had two complimentary bottles of spring water, when many hotels are choosing to stop providing bottled water this was a pleasing gesture. At the end of a long journey this was most welcome.

Good hanging space especially for ladies dresses in the wardrobe, a good sized safe and a large screen television along with a writing desk, chairs and siting area completed a well equipped suite.

Bathroom

Whilst not a rain shower, the shower was just as powerful. The bath was easy to get in and out of too. “This Works” shower gel and shampoo were stored in fixed bottles on the wall. There was a good sized mirror which housed a vanity one too, a hairdryer, bath robe and slippers are provided too.

Dining

The restaurant on the first floor comes with a menu with a local influence. My main of Breast of Chicken was served with Bury black pudding alongside fondant potatoes, and tarragon in muscat jus. To finish, the local connection continued with warm Eccles cake. A copious buffet breakfast including both continental and a traditional British one is served in the restaurant. All the produce was of top quality with the breakfast being one of the best I have experienced in Manchester.

Gym

Should you wish to burn off all this indulgence the hotel has a well equipped gym in the basement, one of the best I have used at a hotel with more than enough running machines, weight training and good resistance training for arms, legs, and chest.

Conclusion

The high standards of service, quality, and cleanliness one expects and always seems to be delivered have been excelled at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly. Conveniently situated with friendly staff, the hotel is one I would have no hesitation in returning to again.