Hotel Review
Location
CitySuites is located on Chapel Street in the heart of Manchester city centre and just a five minute walk from Victoria Station. For guests arriving by car, discounted parking rates are available at the adjacent Q-Park Manchester and Exchange Square with its Metrolink tram station is close at hand. The aparthotel us also conveniently placed for shopping with branches of Selfridges and Harvey Nichols almost on the doorstep.
Arrival and check-in
Check-in is from 3.00 p.m. but as our arrival by train was just over an hour earlier, we called in to drop off our bags but were pleasantly surprised to be able to access our room straightaway. We’d already completed a quick on-line check-in the previous day leaving us worry free about waiting around in the lobby once we arrived.
Travelling in these unusual times requires stringent safety standards and it was evident that CitySuites had pulled out all the stops to make guests stays as safe as possible. Even the room keycards had been placed through a virus fogging machine to eliminate any traces of virus before being handed out to guests.
The Room
There are two large lifts each with bottles of sanitisers inside the doors and social distance markers attached to the floor indicating where to stand. Our city view one bedroom apartment was up on the 14th floor and the powerful lift whisked us up there in seconds.
On entering our spacious apartment, it felt so luxurious that it was unlikely that we would ever want to leave. The suite had everything we could wish and more, with a fully fitted kitchen.
At our fingertips were the latest Smeg appliances including a washer/dryer, dishwasher, microwave, oven and hob. Drawers and cupboards were stacked with quality bone china and the pans, cutlery and utensils were also of a high standard. A large fridge-freezer had enough space to accommodate a week’s shopping and the Nespresso coffee maker came fully supplied with a variety of pods with extra supplies being available on request from reception.
In the open plan living/dining area there was also a large dining table which could easily be used as a desk as there were numerous sockets/USB charging points next to it. A large comfortable sofa was perfectly positioned to take in the breathtaking city views from the large windows and and also for watching the 55″ wall mounted television which came complete with Sky Plus HD.
The bedroom was carpeted and separated from the living area by means of a sliding door. It boasted a king size bed with the finest Egyptian bed linen, bedside tables, lamps and even more charging sockets. Facing the bed, on top of a chest of drawers was a second television, ideal for watching whilst sitting up in bed and also useful as an alternative to the one in the lounge to avoid channel disputes!
The entire apartment has lots of storage and our large wardrobe had one of those sensor lights that comes on as you open the door. I really need these at home to help me find things hidden in dark corners! The room comes complete with stylish bathrobes, a GHD hairdryer, iron and ironing board.
As could be expected, the en-suite bathroom was also luxuriously appointed with both a bath and a rainfall shower providing me with the perfect combination of a relaxing bedtime soak and an invigorating morning shower to bring me back to life. Complimentary Noir toiletries from The White Company and a large supply of soft, thick towels complete the line up.
Dining
CitySuites in-house restaurant, Embankment Kitchen looked gorgeous and is usually open daily serving breakfast and bistro meals throughout the day. Owing to the on-going pandemic it was still closed but due to re-open shortly. It would have been so nice to have enjoyed a meal there but as we had such a lovely apartment with a well equipped kitchen, we didn’t feel to have missed out too much.
The Facilities
The aparthotel has all the features of a high-end hotel including 24 hour reception and concierge services. By the entrance is an attractive lounge with views towards the cathedral and riverside.
Also on the ground floor, there’s a huge 18m indoor swimming pool solely for the use of hotel guests complete with a jacuzzi and pool side seating. Changing rooms, showers, lockers and towels are also available but guests can also pop down in the bathrobes provided as we did.
For the energetic and keep-fit enthusiasts there’s also a state of the art gym fitted out with all the latest equipment to keep guests in shape.
Out and About
There’s so much to see and do in the centre of Manchester and here are a few suggestions.
Start off with a short walk over to the Medieval Quarter and visit the cathedral to take a look at its impressive interior and wood carvings.
Continue along to vibrant Exchange Square and enjoy drinks and a bite to eat in front of the historic Corn Exchange where you can happily while away an hour or so watching the world go by.
Later, get your fix of retail therapy along New Cathedral Street with its collection of luxury brands and in the huge Arndale Centre where you’ll find all the usual high street names.
Shopping over, head over to Castlefield the former industrial heartland of the city for a leisurely stroll along the towpath of the Rochdale Canal pausing for a drink out on one of the terraces of one of the waterside bars.
On other days you could take the tram to the foodie hotspots of either Altrincham or Didsbury Village in the leafy Manchester suburbs. Both equally attractive, and favourites of mine.
For those interested in history, board a tram to Imperial War Museum North, take a self guided tour of the museum then cross the footbridge over the Manchester Ship Canal to explore the attractive Salford Quays and the MediaCityUK hub where both BBC and ITV have their studios.
Back in the city make sure you visit Chinatown. It’s the second largest in the UK with an impressive Imperial Chinese archway and lots of authentic restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores.
In need of some exercise, then take a tram to Heaton Park. Really easy to get to as it has its own tram stop close to the entrance gates. This vast park has a large boating lake, with a woodland trail surrounding it.
Despite many of the city’s museums and attractions currently closed there’s still lots to see and do in Manchester and it’s an ideal destination for a short break.
Overall
I believe that CitySuites offer everything you could ever need to make your stay as comfortable as possible with the comfort and safety of a home-from-home environment, coupled with all the benefits of a luxury hotel.
Details
CitySuites 16 Chapel Street, Manchester, M3 7NH. Tel: 0161 302 0202
During our stay we were guests of CitySuites and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
For more inspiration of things to do in Manchester you may also like:
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