Crowne Plaza And Staybridge Suites, Manchester

This new 19 storey hotel development which is dual branded with both Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites is conveniently placed for Manchester University or the Aquatic Centre. Manchester centre is a 15 minute walk away when I timed it.

There is no site carpark though the hotel does have deals with nearby carparks. There is some free on street parking only 3 minutes away from the hotel.

It certainly looks impressive and the high standards you associate with both brands are present throughout.

Occupying the lower 12 storeys Crowne Plaza Manchester features 212 guest rooms, a 120 seat restaurant and a fully equipped 24 hour gym.

The King Club Room we stayed in was situated on the corner of the building. Giving access to the Club Lounge where refreshments can be taken all day as well as continental breakfast in the morning. The Lounge also has a small business centre.

As you might expect there were plenty of USB points in the King Club Room as well as lots of other plug in points. The Sleep Advantage bed was very comfortable and although the fittings were very functional the room did not have the homely feel of the room in the Staybridge Suites, more of which later. At this standard you get the Nespresso coffee machine, iron, hairdryer, rain shower, plenty of storage space, good air conditioning and quick reliable Wi Fi.

Meals are taken in The Laureate Restaurant - a bright and airy ground floor establishment. The a la carte menu isn't too extensive. My Four Cheese Pizza was a Cheese Lover's delight, even better for a Yorkshire man when it has Yorkshire blue cheese on top! My partner's 10oz steak was succulent and cooked to order. We both could not fault the quality or the service.

Breakfast is taken in the restaurant too, with a hot and cold buffet, again the quality was excellent.

Located on the upper seven floors the Staybridge Suites offer a mix of 116 modern studio and one bedroom suites featuring a fully equipped kitchen. The reception might take some finding - it is on the 18th floor. There is a separate entrance from the hotel but we found it easier to enter through the hotel.

Our one bedroom suite as I said earlier, had a very homely feel, in fact the whole of the Staybridge Suites felt that way.

On coming out of the lift "Welcome Home" is etched on a mirror, never a truer word said. You could easily stay here for a week on business or leisure and soon settle in.

On the 18th floor there is The Hub Kitchen where you can get hot drinks (there is a Nespresso coffee maker in your suite), a lounge with a terrace that gives views over Manchester and the Pennines and then there is the Den - a cosy little hideaway.

There is also "The Social" where 3 evenings a week an informal opportunity allows guests to mingle and get to know the on site team over complimentary drinks and nibbles.

Breakfast is included if staying at the Staybridge Suites and can be taken in the Laureate restaurant in the hotel.

Both the hotel and the suites have that wow! factor. The staff were all competent and nothing seemed too much trouble. The only disappointment was having to leave.

Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites, 30 Higher Chatham Street, Manchester M12 6ED
www.cpmanchesteroxfordroad.com
www.staybridgesuites.com/manchesteroxfr
www.thelumemanchester.com