Manchester has plenty of places to stay but the centrally located CitySuites caught our eye. This relatively new, stylish development regularly has offers on their website and social channels, so it pays to sign up. We did and managed to grab a lovely two-night deal.
Located just next door to their original aparthotel CitySuites I, CitySuites II offers everything you need for a premium city centre stay. We chose a two-bed suite on the 10th floor which had great views. It’s beautifully designed with a neutral palette and smart designer furnishings, complemented by high quality linen and smart fixtures and fittings. The bathrooms are equally chic. Add luxurious toiletries by The White Company, a GHD hairdryer, and a Nespresso coffee machine and you really do have a home from home. There’s a fully equipped kitchen and superfast Wi-Fi so you can cook up a great meal if you wish and keep in touch with the world. It also boasts large, smart TVs in the lounge and bedroom – no Netflix though, shame.
Exclusive to CitySuites II is a steam room, which you’ll find on the ground floor next to the very swanky 18m swimming pool and jacuzzi. It also has a gym (think there’s 24hr access too). So, if you’re looking to work-out during your time away, then CitySuites II’s exclusive gym area has everything you need.
If you do partake, you can certainly look forward to a good night’s sleep. The beds are so comfortable. Sometimes it’s really hard to get a good night sleep when away but here, and being on one of the upper floors, we heard no noise whatsoever from the city below. Honestly, this is one of the best night’s sleep we’ve had anywhere.
The following morning, after a fab shower, we headed to the Embankment Kitchen, located on the ground floor at CitySuites I (a hop and a skip across the courtyard). Again, it’s stylishly designed and served up an absolutely stunning full English breakfast; we were ready to explore the city.
We had planned to get around on the trams, sadly that didn’t happen for one reason or another and we ended up staying within a mile of CitySuites. Honestly there’s plenty to see and do here. CitySuites is a stone’s throw away from Spinningfields, Manchester’s “number one destination” for vibrant bars and stylish restaurants (Tattu, Fazenda, The Ivy and Dishoom), and it’s easily accessible on foot. It’s also home to the John Rylands Library and The People’s Museum, one of the most stunning buildings in the city.
If you love shopping, the Arndale Centre is literally five minutes away and is home to all the big stores including Harvey Nichols. There are also plenty of independent shops down little side streets, so you’ll never be bored.
Being culture vultures, we had to visit the Manchester Art Gallery which is very impressive. Some great works there.
Unfortunately, Manchester Museum was closed so we headed for the Science and History Museum. Like the gallery, it’s free to enter which is good.
Afterwards, curiously, as we walked the streets, we kept noticing bees and bee themed businesses. We were reliably informed that the much-loved worker bee is an important symbol for the city. In 1842, the early Victorian city fathers undertook what I suppose today we’d call a branding exercise. They included a globe with seven bees to show how the Manchester bee was born of industry and symbolised its trading across the seven seas. Bee-spotting is a good way to spend time in the city. When you’re strolling the streets, look up, look around and you’ll see them everywhere.
On our second day, we visited Manchester Cathedral which is smaller than most city cathedrals but, even so, punches well above its weight. It’s very beautiful. It rained over one lunchtime, so we decided to visit the cinema – Vue in this case, and what was on? You may have guessed it, The Beekeeper with Jason Statham. Despite there being quite a buzz about it, unlike the cathedral, he wasn’t punching above his weight.
Later that evening, we enjoyed a fabulous meal at the Embankment Kitchen so if you fancy a meal and a drink and don’t want to drive or walk too far, you literally have an amazing restaurant on your doorstep.
Talking about hard work, we must pay tribute to the busy bees at CitySuites. All the staff are fantastic – the service and welcome we received was second to none.
CitySuites II
1 New Kings Head Yard
Manchester M3 7GF
0161 302 0202
reservations@CitySuites.com
And we’re not done…
After two amazing nights in Manchester, it was onwards to Buxton. Click here to read all about it.
Leave A Reply