Size isn’t everything, of course, but the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly’s boast of having the largest standard rooms in the city has merit.
Because they are impressively substantial.
The smallest portion of accommodation at the 338-room property is 301 square feet (28 square meters), large enough for a king-size bed and a sofa bed, with plenty of elbow room.
The hotel even has a double-double option.
I check into an Executive King on the top (8th) floor and discover that the hotel could also reasonably boast about its views.
MailOnline travel editor Ted Thornhill checked into an Executive King room (above) on the top floor of the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.
Ted writes: “My room is like the rest of the hotel: stylish and comfortable, if a little lacking in Instagram bait.”
I look out the wall-to-wall panoramic windows and see a mind-blowing sight: trains bound for every point of the compass entering and leaving Piccadilly railway station, below and beyond the horizon, the majestic peaks of the Peak District National Park.
During my stay, I find myself lost in time on several occasions as I stand and take in the scene, elbows resting on the shelf that runs alongside the glass. It would be worth adding a couple of stools to the inventory and placing them here, as this place is worth stopping at.
The rest of the room is like the rest of the hotel: stylish and comfortable, if a little lacking in Instagram bait.
Marriott spent £33 million renovating the property – until April this year a Macdonald Hotel – and in my rooms the budget has allowed for a luxurious king-size bed, lampshades made from cotton threads (a small nod to the industrial heritage of the Manchester cotton industry). , a modern sofa bed, a 55-inch TV, a Nespresso machine, a modular wardrobe and a shower cubicle with “This Works” toiletries. Although the money allocated was not enough to install a rain shower head. It is only for hose. Which didn’t seem very “executive” to me.
Above is the “amazing spectacle” Ted enjoys from his room, a view of “trains bound for every point of the compass entering and leaving Piccadilly railway station” and beyond “the majestic peaks of the Peak District National Park”.
Swish: Modern amenities in Ted’s room include a 55-inch TV and a Nespresso machine.
The image above shows the main bistro-style restaurant, serving a variety of home-cooked food.
The elegant bar on the lobby floor, with craft cocktails among the drinks on offer.
On the first floor, behind textured glass doors, is an inviting 24-hour lounge, accessible with a day pass and a free benefit for 8th-floor executive room guests and Marriott members Bonvoy with Platinum status or higher.
Breakfast is served here in the mornings, with hot and cold options.
When I try it, I enjoy the company of a cheerful, chatty member of staff who happily distributes lattes and clears my table.
Complimentary canapes, wine and beer are served between 5pm and 9pm.
See? Tempting.
Marriott is an official partner of Manchester United and has installed a ‘Lobby Phone’ of the club in the hotel. Pick up the handset in the bright red booth and you can hear never-before-heard stories about Manchester United from club legends, current players and loyal fans.
The 24-hour lounge, accessible with a day pass and a free benefit for guests in 8th floor executive rooms and Marriott Bonvoy members with Platinum status or higher.
The hotel spa, which features Elemis treatments and a thermal suite.
The image above shows the hotel lobby, before the Manchester United lobby phone was installed.
Further dining and drink options are presented in the hotel’s elegant bar, the adjoining ‘Greatroom Lounge’ and the bistro-style main restaurant. Think comforting breakfast buffets, burgers, risottos and craft cocktails.
Manchester United fan? You’re in good company, because Marriott is an official partner of the club and has installed a Manchester United ‘Lobby Phone’.
Pick up the handset in the bright red cabin and you can hear never-before-heard stories about manchester united from club legends, current players and loyal fans as they relive some of the fans’ favorite moments and exploits.
During my stay, scheduled stories at the facility came from the likes of striker Marcus Rashford, former defender David May and current defender Harry Maguire.
The lobby phone is a good option. And so is staying at the hotel if you’re on a budget (rooms start from just £79 a night) or have a very early train to catch.
I’m booked on the 5.05am Avanti flight to London Euston from Piccadilly train station, a time best described as hellish. But I don’t need to leave the Marriott until 4:50 am, since the station is literally a two-minute walk away.
However, I still set the alarm a little early, just to take a few more minutes to take in the magnificent view.
