Review: Hilton Manchester Deansgate

For a "luxury" hotel in central Manchester you would be looking at one of the boutique options, like the Lowry or the Malmaison - not easily accessible on points*, which obviously (for better or worse) drives your hotel choices.

*Although the Lowry is on hotels.com, so presumably accessible via their rewards programme.

The Doubletree is a way better hotel overall, and has a much better location with better views. The rooms were extremely clean and nice (we even got a comp upgrade to a suite). It's right across from Manchester Piccadilly so if you are ever there again, I would recommend staying there. It is not to mention cheaper.

When I hit Manchester I try to stay at the Lowry, just love the hotel & the restaurant is offering a pretty good afternoon tea aswell. The Malmaison isn't as nice and the location is a bit to close to the train station in my opinion.

This is a rather remarkable statement coming from someone who blogs travel/loyalty for a living: "I guess this was the first time I noticed a difference in treatment between being a [HH] Gold and Diamond member."

The exec lounge access policy that made it available to HH Golds only if they also got upgraded to the exec floor went into effect way back in 2008. That @Lucky would notice the difference in 2015, considering what he does every single day, tells you what should make of his past statement (now largely discontinued) about how "there is no material difference between HH Golds and Diamonds."

@Lucky sez: "There’s not a single Hyatt or Starwood property [in Manchester]"
Well, imagine that! 😉

I live in Manchester and the best hotel by far is the Raddisson Edwardian. It is set in the old free trade hall, with a modern extension on it housing the rooms. The staff are all excellent and it really does have British charm. If you ever return I would recommend!

@Ben : As a Starwood Loyalist with over 100 nights every year, its sad for me to have no Starwood option in a city I visit often. Nonetheless, my place to stay in Manchester infact feels more luxurious and value for money than most of my starwood stays. Hence, if/when you're in manchester next, DEFINITELY try the Lowry Hotel.

Stayed in this a couple of times. Not the best Hilton in the area but you know what you will get (including totally overpriced daily car parking charges).

A picky colleague of mine is loyal to the Gotham Hotel in Manchester. And that is the extent of my knowledge of the Manchester hotel scene.

On an unrelated matter, I would like to demonstrate the power of this blog. This relates to Matt's recent review of the Park Hyatt in Vienna. My Christmas present this year is a trip to Vienna (I've never been), which includes a night at the opera!!! We were booked at the Park Hyatt...until I pondered Matt's critical assessment of the PH's service. It gave me reason to pause. And to eventually ask if we could stay at the Sacher instead. I was moderately looking forward to staying at the Park Hyatt but I now have a child-like glee knowing we'll be at the Sacher.

Sooooo many gorgeous hotels in Manchester (as a resident of the place, I know there are hundreds) but unfortunately for points purposes, there isn't much of an option.

The Gotham, The Midland and The Lowry are all beautiful properties and definitely worth checking out if you don't mind spending a few £££

As for the club lounge, is it the same place as Cloud 23? If so, it kind of IS the place for pretentious people in Manchester, though there are much nicer places to go!

Great review as always!

Ben,
I stayed in HILTON CPH for 2 nights in July and very surprised to see sign on the minibar. (SEE PHOTO)
Sometimes I need to use the Minibar to keep stuff cold – in this case in HILTON cream I bought from a nearby supermarket (HILTON CPH do NOT provide CREAM for my coffee – only 0.5% skim milk.
Since I had no access to the minibar I use a bowl with ice cubes to keep my coffee CREAM cold.

Outside door to the minibar has following text: This is an automatic minibar. When an item is removed charges are automatic made to your account.
What is your experience with this ? Is this a special for HILTON or ? First time I had this experience myself.
ps how can I upload photos here and
pps how can choose my on pasword and change the one there was send to me?
Thanks for all respons and help

Sadly the lack of Starwood and Hyatt properties is not unsurprising - compared to Hilton and IHG the international footprint of the first two brands is quite limited in comparison - obviously quite different when travelling within the USA.