Britannia Hotel Manchester

Historic Building with original features

I booked my single room for 1 night through Venere.com and paid £44. I stayed here due to its location (I needed to be near to Piccadilly Station -5 minutes walk away, as I had to catch an early morning train to Manchester Airport), reasonable price, plus, I'd seen this impressive building from the outside a few times and as it was the same price as Piccadilly Gardens, where I'd stayed before (and liked), It was a good opportunity. I didn't book breakfast as my departure was before breakfast was served.

Well the inside is quite impressive too - with its stunning balconied staircase, glass chandelier and dark wood panels.

Check in took quite a while- there was 1 person on duty, and there was a small queue. The actual check in was done quite efficiently though, and I was soon heading to the elevator and my room on the 6th floor. I was a bit confused that the lift only went to the 5th floor, but after wandering around a bit, found the room indicators. Another moment of bewilderment came when I could only find indicators as far as Room 649- The written number on my Key card was 676! Well I finally decided that it should read 646! After a walk down a long corridor, I saw a sign to the turret rooms! - up a wooden staircase-I was pleased that I only had a small case. Phew, I'd reached the right room, and was quite amazed to see that the window was behind one of the Gothic wheel windows, and had a view straight to the street below - probably not a good room for anyone who has a poor head for heights!

I was pleasantly surprised with my room (especially after reading some less than favorable reviews) It was warm and comfortable -

Single bed, Wardrobe space, dressing table, arm chair. TV, kettle (and tea/coffee/biscuits) trouser press, hairdryer. Room service menu, Manchester tourist info.
Bathroom- Bath and powerful shower, WC, basin, towels, loo roll.
Complimentary shower gel, shampoo, soap, shower cap and tissues.

I was surprised to find an ash tray in my room - there was no No Smoking sign on my door or anywhere else in the room-Well it is a long walk to the hotel entrances smoking area!

I decided to wander down to the bar - I'd eaten on the train, so wasn't hungry. The hotel has 2 restaurants - Jenny's Restaurant and Bar (with a 3-course carvery Lunch and Dinner) and The Overstuffed Pizzeria (Italian cuisine).

Cromptons Bar is open daily, and serves until late for residents

Sunday - Thursday - 17.00 - finish and Friday - Saturday - 11.00 - finish

- Waves bar opens 'til late for residents and non-residents, and there is a Night Club - Bar Rogue.

I headed to Cromptons bar, which was quite a comfortable place to relax. There is a TV lounge area, and comfy old settees to relax somewhere quieter. Dark wood bar and fittings, with Art Deco? glass. Old prints and a piano!

I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio, which they didn't have, so made do with a Chardonnay instead £4.70!(streuth!)-
Back to my room for a pampering session, and an 'early' night.

There was some traffic noise, but nothing too disturbing.

Yes, I'd stay here again, particularly if I got this room again - It was quite suitable for me.

I think if I'd stayed in the rooms on the long corridor I'd have been disturbed by people moving to/from their rooms. I understand some of the internal rooms don't have windows, just sky-lights or no natural light.

Although the 363 rooms have been renovated and modernised, they are quite basic in comparison to the Public Areas, which many reviews have reflected on.

My stay was on a Wednesday night, so I'm not sure if it is a different atmosphere at the weekend.

I read in some reviews that this is a cheaper alternative to getting a taxi home to the outskirts of Manchester, after enjoying the cities night-life, as the hotel offers bargain prices (Super Pre-paid Room only for £20 - limited availability) and some residents had complained of 'drunken antics'

Check in - From 14.00
Check Out- By 11.00

High Speed Wi-Fi in all Public areas.

Car Parking
Valet parking available at a daily charge of £16.
Parking available at Chorlton Street NCP car park with 20% discount.

Disabled Facillities

Unique Quality: Built between 1851-1856, by Travis and Mangnall, at a cost of £100,000, this Grade 2 Building was formerly Watts Warehouse - founded by James Watts, a prominent Mancunian Industrialist and entrepreneur. At the time, this was the largest single-occupancy textile warehouse in Manchester.

The ornate fittings reflect the extravagance of the time. It was designed in the style of a Venetian Palazzo. Each of the 5 stories are decorated in a different style;
Italian Renaissance, Elizabethan, French Renaissance and Flemish.

The iron cantilever staircase with balconied is quite impressive, especially from the 5th storey (pic 4)
Mahogony counters would have been used for displaying the textiles.

The entrance to the hotel has some war memorials to commemorate the many staff of S&J Watts who died in the 1914-18 world war.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Written February 5, 2011

Britannia Hotel Manchester Photo: Britannia Hotel Room 646

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