MASTER A

Hotel of the Month

Neville Blech discovers a fine place to stay in Manchester

THE PLACE HOTEL, MANCHESTER

 

Looking for a reasonably–priced hotel in the centre of Manchester with spacious rooms and on-site parking facilities?

The Place Hotel is a grade two listed apartment hotel, just a few minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station with easy access to all parts of Manchester.

Like many other places in Manchester, it has been converted from one of those “dark satanic mills” that typified Manchester in the 19th century, whose fortune was built on cotton weaving and the exploitation of the “undeserving poor”. The old original Victorian features with their vast iron columns, barrel ceilings and exposed brickwork are neatly integrated with contemporary design features and furnishings to provide an extremely spacious feel, from the public areas to the apartment-type rooms, complete with kitchenettes, lounge and bedroom areas, (either one or two) and a laundry area. It’s an ideal concept for either couples, families or groups. The rooms are on four sides of a large glass domed atrium which gives an even greater feeling of spaciousness.

There is, of course, a restaurant and a bar, both of which are not quite up to the standard of the accommodation. Breakfast is just adequate and has the feeling of a “chain” cuisine regimented by rules. We didn’t try the restaurant but a word of warning. It is frequently used for functions and some can be pretty noisy. It’s important to ask for a room which is NOT above the restaurant and the whole hotel in general doesn’t get many Brownie points for tranquillity. Because of the vast openness of the place you sometimes feel that you are in a goldfish bowl.

Other good features are its own underground parking facilities (but get there early because there are not enough spaces for all the rooms), meeting and conference rooms and a well equipped gym, free of charge to residents. Room rates are very flexible, starting from under £100 a night depending on the deal and how far in advance you book, but it could get to approaching double that on a popular night, so be careful here.

Nevertheless, this is a good location for visiting Manchester and whilst not perfect, has a good price/quality ratio provided you book far enough ahead.

The Place: Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2TP

Telephone: : +44 161 778 7500

Email: reservations@theplacehotel.com.
 

Ratings:

Accommodation                             45

Breakfast                                             8

Service                                                 7

Ambience                                            9

Value for money                           11

 

Total                                                   80

 

You can also Telephone: +44 161 778 7500 or Email: reservations@theplacehotel.com.

For more General Enquiries you can email our reception desk: reception@theplacehotel.com.