The city of Manchester has undergone successive decades of regeneration and redevelopment since I was born there in the early 1970s. Back then, the city was in economic decline, with the closure of textile and manufacturing industries. But the expansion of Manchester Airport, development of the Trafford Centre, construction of Beetham Tower, regeneration of Salford Quays and creation of MediaCity UK are just some examples of the area’s subsequent resilience and growth.
More recently, the city has seen further investment with the expansion of the Metrolink tram network and the development of the Manchester Enterprise Zone. It has became known as a leading centre for technology and innovation and the area incorporating the University of Manchester has undergrone significant expansion, including the construction of the Hyatt Regency Manchester building in 2018. Occupying the uppermost floors (floors 13-18) of this building, and sharing the same facilities, is the Hyatt House Manchester aparthotel, one of only three Hyatt House properties in the UK.
The welcome
Having parked at the Booth Street West car park, conveniently located just around the corner from the hotel, we made our way to reception where we checked in. We were furnished with two keycards, advised of the time for breakfast (6.30-10am) and kindly directed towards the lifts.
The room
Our room on the thirteenth flloor (unlucky for some, but certainly not for us!) was a beautiful one-bedroom suite with a separate lounge and kitchenette. In the bedroom was a king sized bed, large Samsung TV and two full-length, in-built wardrobes, one containing a safe, hair dryer, ironing board and iron – one with ironing board and iron. By the bedside was a ChargeTime alarm clock with dual front-facing USB charging ports, and in-room telephone with direct dial options for Emergency, House Host, In-Room Dining, Duty Manager and Reservations.
The open plan living area consisted of a sofa, coffee table, another large Samsung TV and floor lamp.
At the other end of the room was a kitchenette with breakfast bar, dining table or work desk, depending on your requirements. Our kitchen had everything you would possibly need if you were staying for an extended period and want to cater for yourself, including a kettle, toaster, hob, microwave oven, fridge with freezer compartment, slimline Bosch dishwasher and Nespresso machine.
If required, the sofa could be used as a sofa bed, plus there was also the ability to have an interconnecting room with our suite, so there was the potential to accommodate a larger family.
Our room looked north-west through floor-to-ceiling windows towards the city’s high-rise buildings of Deansgate, Spinningfields and NOMA (North Manchester) which have begun to define Manchester’s skyline.
The bathroom
The bathroom was an ample size with a bath and rainfall shower over it, basin and WC. Floor to ceiling tile-effect roof panels come in a neutral colour whilst white, fluffy bath towels, hand towels and flannels are all supplied, as are bathrobes and slippers.
The supplied toiletries were from luxury Australian-owned brand, Appelles Apothecary & Lab.
A notice for in-room treatments could also be found in the bathroom. These include a menu of body and face massages, nail treatments, and hair and make-up, available from 8am to 10pm courtesy of Ruuby, a beauty and wellness concierge service.
The facilities
The ground floor consists of a light and airy atrium with floor to ceiling glass letting plenty of natural light, even on those overcast Manchester days. Around the corner from the contemporary reception is aptly-named Graduate Bar, from which you can also access a lounge and outdoor terrace.
And at the other end of the atrium is the stylish Laureate Restaurant.
On this particular visit, because my son was preparing for an extremely competitive University entrance interview to study Medicine, we opted for the ease and comfort of room service which is available from 10.30am through to 11pm.
From the room service menu, we chose Abd’s meze which consisted of hummus, baba ghanoush, beetroot and feta dip, dill and cucumber, pickled veg, Gordal olives and breads, as well as the chicken lollipops – crispy chicken wings, cooked with a tasty lemon and honey marinade, and served with a sriracha mayonnaise. Both went down a treat!
For our mains we had the very succulent house chicken tikka masala with pilau rice, chota naan and mango chutney, and the fish and chips made with a spiced batter for that little extra kick, and served with thick-cut chips, mushy peas and tartar sauce.
Hyatt House Manchester guests also enjoy a complimentary self-service breakast in the restaurant. This is a very relaxed affair with lots of choice, from fresh fruits and cereals through to plenty of cooked options and a variety of pastries.
Also worthy of a mention is the hotel’s 24-hour fitness studio which overlooks the Alliance Manchester Business School, part of the University of Manchester and one of the oldest business schools in the UK. The fitness equipment included a treadmill, stationary bicycle, rowing machine, free weights, stair stepper and elliptical machines. There are even a few football shirts on the wall – a nod to the city’s sporting prowess – including a signed Juventus shirt from former Manchester United legend, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The location
Hyatt House Manchester is situated in the heart of Manchester, just around the corner from Oxford Road. This is the city’s University district, being close to the University of Manchester as well as Manchester Metropolitan University.
Also nearby are various cultural landmarks including the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum. We called in briefly at the latter where you can meet ‘Stan’, a cast of one of the most complete and well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found, named after Stan Sacrison, the paleontologist who discovered the original fossil specimen in South Dakota, USA, in 1987. Also housed in the museum is a vivarium and a rolling programme of exhibitions.
The hotel is also conveniently located close to Manchester Oxford Road railway station (0.5 miles) and St Peter’s Square tram stop (1 mile), providing easy access to other parts of the city and beyond.
Other nice touches
A welcome note, a couple of blackcurrant tarts and complimentary water were a few of the nice touches that could be found in our room on arrival.
Other extras included complimentary WiFi, complimentary laundry facilities on the 17th floor and a Borrows Menu where you can borrow items you may have forgotten or been unable to pack, such as chargers, hair straighteners and wands, etc.
A generous late check-out of midday is also included as standard.
The cost
A Queen Bed Studio with Kitchenette starts from £92 per night.
A King Bed Suite with Sofa Bed and Kitchenette like we stayed in starts from £192.
These are off-peak Sunday night rates. Expect to pay significantly more for nights that are more in demand.
The best bit
Without a doubt, the best thing about the Hyatt House Manchester is how homely and welcoming it is. The brand’s overarching objective – to seamlessly deliver a comforting and convenient ‘home away from home’ experience for guests – is an ambition that is unequivocally realised.
The final verdict
Hyatt House Manchester makes you feel as comfortable as you would in your own home, and would be particularly suited to travellers who might require longer stays or prefer more residential-style accommodation. The additional spaced afforded by these apartment-style rooms and suites, along with with fully-functional and well-equipped kitchens, as well as separate living and sleeping areas, make them perfect for meeting the needs of extended stay guests.
For us, the location and its proximity to the University was an added bonus for our needs for this particular trip, but I would suggest it’s also a perfect option for any parents or grandparents visiting family members who are studying in Manchester. Whatever your needs, Hyatt House Manchester is a perfect one-stop experience whether you are seeing family, visting for work, or simply looking to relax in the city and maybe take in some of the sights.
Dislcosure: Our stay was sponsored by Hyatt House Manchester.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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