From Infinity Pools To Football Themed Hotels…

Emily Howett | 17th May 2015

VIVA’s Guide To Manchester And Cheshire’s Most Exciting Hotels…

Manchester is home to amazing culture, fantastic shopping and, of course, great music but it’s becoming more and more a place for quirky, luxurious and amazing hotels. With some great new hotels opened around the city centre recently, we’ve picked out our favourites for you to take a look. Whether you want to visit the city centre to be closer to the endless amount of bars and clubs or whether you’re looking to escape from the real world, we’ve got you covered. If luxury’s more your thing then we’ve found the best hotels and spas in the area including the beautiful Cheshire countryside where you can sit back and unwind on the ultimate escape from reality.

Innside Hotel

Who? 

INNSIDE by Melia is a German brand with some amazing hotels spread across Europe. The INNSIDE concept based upon the urban lifestyle, uses trendy and atmospheric buildings where people feel as comfortable socialising as when doing business in these hotels.

Where? 

First Street, Deansgate, Manchester with easy access to both Manchester’s train stations and Manchester Airport, perfect for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel is located minutes away from such Manchester hotspots as the Museum of Science and Industry and it is just a short walk to the Arndale shopping centre. INNSIDE is also next to HOME the nearly-completed Manchester cultural development with two theatres and five film screens which will soon be providing engaging art and films to curiosity seekers.

What does it offer? 

INNSIDE Manchester’s two hundred and eight rooms, including eight studio suites, will follow the INNSIDE brand’s design ethos for stylish, functional and contemporary rooms, with sleek en-suite bathrooms. The property will also offer a selection of versatile meeting and event spaces with natural daylight spanning three hundred square metres as well as a complete fitness suite, parking and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Why it’s special? 

The brand new hotel tries to blur the line between business and pleasure so people can feel comfortable whether coming to do work at the hotel or to socialise. The modern world is moving this way as people are spending longer at work, so INNSIDE aims to bridge the gap between their social and work lives.

Food and Drink 

The restaurant and bar is called “Street On First” which will serve street food based on contemporary Mediterranean dishes and the ethos of sharing and grazing but it won’t be based just on Spain. It’ll be Spain, Italy and a whole mix of other countries. You can expect delicious uncomplicated food with the best ingredients possible. The buzz phrase for INNSIDE’s restaurant is ‘Food For Social Mood’ to suit everyone at any time whether you want to work, socialise or mix business with pleasure.

VIVA Verdict 

VIVA loves how exciting, fresh and new INNSIDE is and how they’ve considered every tiny detail down to the flowers on the table in the restaurant. They’ve dared to be different with the style of an open plan bathroom and their concept of accommodating both work and pleasure is one that we particularly love.

1 First Street, Manchester, M15 4RP

0161 200 2500

innside.manchester@melia.com

www.melia.com

MAL_MANC_Launch_LOWRES-1669

Who? 

Malmaison Manchester, one of the first boutique hotels to open up in the City, is a stunning transformation of a nineteenth century warehouse.

Where? 

Malmaison hotel is located in the centre of Manchester, just a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Train Station. It’s also based on the edge of the quirky and ever-so-trendy Northern Quarter.

What does it offer? 

Malmaison boasts one hundred and sixty-seven luxury rooms including thirteen suites of oasis-like calmness, where you can find solace in a super-comfy bed, with super-fast Wi-Fi, super-flat screen TVs and super-toiletries. You won’t want to leave! Especially not as they offer private dining and cocktail masterclasses, going that extra mile to make your stay even more spectacular. All of the rooms go through a vigorous Mal check-list ensuring great beds for sleepy heads, moody lighting, en-suite bathrooms with baths and power showers, digital TV, serious wines and naughty nibbles for you to indulge all you want. If you feel like you’ve over-indulged on the hotel room snacks you can also visit Gymtonic, the onsite gym at Malmasion, which has all the right equipment for a good workout session so you can make room for their delicious burgers and cocktails. You can also find peace and quiet in the middle of the bustling city below you with their very own spa, offering therapies and peaceful treatments.

Why it’s special? 

If you’re looking for something different for your hotel stay, this is the perfect example of somewhere that stands out from the crowd. At Malmaison they claim ‘different is what we do best’ by taking their authenticity and décor above and beyond to add that something special to your hotel stay.

Food and Drink 

Malmaison is known for its Smoak Bar and Grill which serves good, honest food. Smoak Bar is at the heart of the action which offers locally-sourced and inspired dishes from oak-smoked steaks to lip-smacking, fresh fish. Indulge in a cold beer or a glass of wine whilst enjoying the chilled atmosphere of this leather and neon bistro – inspired by the vintage America of the nineteen-fifties. Mal also offers Cocktail Masterclasses in their exclusive Ember Lounge which is perfect to get all of your friends together and learn the ins and outs of a sex on the beach.

VIVA Verdict 

We love this boutique hotel because of how it dares to be different. By offering incredible food and drinks alongside great sized rooms filled with stylish décor, this hotel couldn’t be more perfect if you’re looking for a hotel stay with a bang. So, whether it’s business or pleasure that draws you to Manchester Malmaison, the provocative new décor really hits the spot and we can’t wait to see what exciting new prospects Mal has in store.

1-3 Picadilly, Manchester, M1 3AQ

0844 693 0657

www.malmaison.com

SKYLOUNGE DoubleTree By Hilton

Who? 

DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly, known for their exceptional standard of service, also create and participate in projects to preserve the environment. For over twenty-five years they have been freshly baking cookies for all guests when checking-in to make their warm welcome just that extra bit yummy.

Where? 

DoubleTree by Hilton is located just a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station and just a twenty minute drive to Manchester International airport.

What does it offer? 

The spacious rooms all include Apple Macs where you can enjoy TV and hotel information including menus and are perfect for your work commitments. The hotel also offers disabled access rooms, parking and complimentary use of the gym.

Why it’s special? 

DoubleTree by Hilton also boast a SkyLounge, a magical place where you can look out over the beautiful sights that Manchester City Centre has to offer. This exclusive penthouse is a conference room or workspace by day yet is transformed into the ultimate party destination by night, with flexible décor and great views. You can have the perfect Summer party in the famous SkyLounge complete with drinks and a barbecue, all arranged for you so all you need to do is get the perfect outfit ready and leave your fear of heights at home.

A new addition to the hotel this summer is the Prosecco Terrace Bar. Prosecco 1754 Ltd have teamed up with DoubleTree to give you the ultimate fizz in the sun experience.

Food and Drink 

This hotel also has a great selection of places to eat and drink so you’ll be spoilt for choice but whether you choose the Blue Bar, the Urban bar or the City Café you’re guaranteed to enjoy great quality, affordable food. The Blue Bar is the perfect place to relax and take part in a cocktail-making masterclass with its chilled out atmosphere and, yes you guessed it, blue surroundings. The newly refurbished Urban bar is a great place to sample quality real ales while enjoying miniature burgers, fish bites and popcorn chicken.

The City Café puts a twist on classic dishes such as Corn Beef Hash and Fish and Chips offering healthier alternatives and daring to be different. You can enjoy your cocktails on the restaurant terrace overlooking Piccadilly and, with their outdoor lodge promising prosecco on tap, they’ll have a job getting rid of us!

VIVA Verdict 

We love this classy and elegant hotel for its incredible décor and design. The unique SkyLounge is a great place to escape and look out over the City while the Urban Bar and the ground floor offer fantastic food and real ales. Plus they give you a free freshly-baked cookie when you check in and we just don’t see how it gets any better than that.

One Piccadilly Place, 1 Auburn St, Manchester, M1 3DG  

0161 242 1000

manpd.reservations@hilton.com

www.doubletree3.hilton.com

hotel football

HOTEL FOOTBALL: EAT. DRINK. SLEEP. FOOTBALL. This slogan is perfect for the newly-opened Hotel Football, which offers all four of those things and, let’s face it, for most football fans what more could you possibly want? The four star hotel, sited in Old Trafford, is the first in what looks like a long line of football-themed hotels in the UK. The standard double rooms come with a king size, Hypnos bed, a rainforest shower, bespoke class of ‘92 toiletries, 40” Samsung smart TV with full Sky Sports package (of course) as well as complimentary wifi for all your football chanting tweets #comeonyoureds. www.hotelfootball.com

HOTEL GOTHAM: This five star nineteen thirties style hotel is truly putting ‘quirky’ back into the Manchester hotel scene with its nostalgic interior and décor. Set in one of the city’s grandest listed buildings, the hotel has sixty stylish double rooms; including the stunning Inner Sanctum Suites. The hotel’s design was inspired by the Art Deco heritage of the building and set out over seven floors, including the sixth floor Honey restaurant which will be open to guests and the public alike. Club Brass the Top Floor, swanky private members’ bar boasts incredible views across the city for you to sit back and enjoy. www.hotelgotham.co.uk

king street townhouse

KING STREET TOWNHOUSE: If you’ve ever dreamed about swimming on a Manchester rooftop overlooking the city centre and taking in those stunning views, your dreams are now closer than you think.  Manchester’s first rooftop infinity pool is set to open this Summer and could just be about the coolest thing ever. We can’t wait to enjoy a prosecco or two on the rooftop while chilling in the pool, watching the world pass by underneath us. The luxury forty-room hotel – in Booth Street, in the Upper King Street conservation area – will also boast a south-facing roof garden and event space, a bar and restaurant and afternoon tea rooms. www.kingstreettownhouse.co.uk

BELLE EPOQUE: For a hotel stay at the pinnacle of sophistication the Belle Epoque is the perfect scene for your getaway. With a characteristic backdrop which could put Downton Abbey to shame, the Belle Epoque will make you feel like you’re living in dream world. The stunning building has played a big part in Knutsford’s heritage for over one hundred years and has been a popular hotel and restaurant for forty of them. With champagne afternoon tea to enjoy and an authentic, high quality restaurant you can enjoy the ultimate fine dining experience. www.thebelleepoque.co.uk

ribby hall

RIBBY HALL HOTEL AND SPA: This luxury hotel is set in the middle of the beautiful Lancashire countryside. At the Ribby Hall Hotel and Spa, you can forget all of your worries and relax and indulge as much as you could possibly want. If you’re dreaming of luxury you can recharge with an overnight stay, in their brand new luxurious surroundings. Whatever your reason to stay, whether you’re wanting to escape the everyday with a spa break, attending a wedding, getting married yourself or visiting on business, you are guaranteed a wonderful night’s sleep in the most sumptuous of bedrooms. www.ribbyhall.co.uk/spa-hotel/

HALE COUNTRY CLUB AND HOTEL: Chill out, relax and have some ‘me time’ with the best of everything at the near perfect Hale Country Club and Hotel. The hotel also boasts a large gym which will give you the ultimate work-out experience, from state of the art equipment and a personal trainer service, to a movie room where you can enjoy the latest films whilst getting a body like Angelina Jolie. To keep the celebrity dream alive just a little longer you can indulge in the spa the Hale Country Club has to offer. Leave your worries at the door, as you indulge your senses, shrug off your stresses and relax in truly sumptuous surroundings. www.halecountryclub.co.uk

GREAT JOHN STREET: This original Victorian schoolhouse has been transformed into a chic townhouse hotel with unique, individually designed bedrooms and suites alongside stylish lounges and Oyster Bar. Being madly eclectic, all of the rooms have a personality of their own, giving the guests a unique experience every visit. The hotel also boasts stunning entertainment rooms and features Manchester’s only Eclectic roof terrace available for exclusive use for your own tailor-made event. Great John Street also offers rooftop party packages for special celebrations you won’t ever forget. You can choose from the following packages: BBQ, sleep-over, party longer or canapés and munchies special. www.eclectichotels.co.uk/great-john-street/