Edwin Lutyens designed this Grade II-listed Art Deco Midland Bank building, whose imposing grandeur inspired the homage to Manhattan's glory days - writ large in its dramatic transformation to swanky boutique hotel. Rise in the elevator to the 1930s-style reception lobby on the 6th floor. Here, Honey restaurant monetises those 180º views through original arched windows; on the floor above is a delightful, gilt-tiled private members' club Brass. Weather permitting, you can even sip cocktails on the roof terrace while scanning a skyline which stretches to the Pennines.
Across the lower 5 floors, no expense has been spared in the 60 rooms and suites. Beds are luxuriously decked with faux-fur throws, posh linen and leather headboards, while well-stocked minibars boast cut-glass tumblers. Monochrome bathrooms have the most enormous rain showers. Repro steamer trunks complete with old-school binoculars, gold cocktail trolleys and geometric carpets all evoke bygone glamour. The building's banking heritage is also referenced in bank vault-style doors, bullion bars and money bags. Central, comfortable, quirky and brimming with Mancunian confidence, you're in for a treat staying here.
Highs
- Great central location in the city's shopping hub, close to nightlife, restaurants, attractions, transport
- The quality of the cleverly designed interiors, from bedroom to bathroom and in Club Brass, cannot be faulted
- Genuine, attentive service from staff dressed in pinstripe suits and '40s outfits
- We really liked the dishes in Honey restaurant, many with a modern Northern angle
- And we loved the captivating cocktails!
Lows
- Prices are steep for top suites, and for some extras
- Some may find the competing themes a tad contrived, such as the cast of Roaring Twenties characters in photographs and in the hotel newspaper
- Although nearby streets have little traffic, Manchester is a busy place, so be prepared for some construction noise by day (but windows are double-glazed)
- Lifts, which you'll need to access the compact 6th floor reception, are small
Best time to go
Manchester is a vibrant and buzzing city year round with much to recommend it in terms of heritage (both art and industry), shopping and lively nightlife. The wonders of the Pennines (to the North) and Peak District (to the East) are just over an hour away by car. It also famously rains a lot although less so in the summer months.
Our top tips
- Check out the Museum of Science and Industry, which has fascinating displays on Manchester's industrial heritage, including transport and textiles, and interactive galleries
- Don't miss out on the superb cocktails in Club Brass (you may need a little patience as service can be slow here)
- Boutique Hotel
- 60 rooms
- Restaurants and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Laundry service
Rooms
There's a deliberate air of exclusivity in the 60 pristine rooms and suites spread across the five floors below Reception. The original central atrium has been filled with dark and decadent Inner Sanctum Suites named after notable Mancunians; in lieu of exterior windows, recline on an emperor bed to watch a 'wonderwall' 60" TV screen.
Sizes and shapes of other rooms vary (the building tapers skyward), but all share a golden age of travel scheme, with faux fur throws, leather headboards, retro steamer trunks and a hotel directory in newspaper form (the Gotham Bugle). Your desk has a swag bag for acquiring loot from pink umbrellas to Batman door tags (charged on check-out), the mini-bar contains a treasure hoard of champagne, posh nibbles and crystal glassware.
Sleek grey marble bathrooms have big monsoon showers, toiletries rest on a gold bullion bar. Only Bank Managers Suites have baths (in-room and roll-top); these and Gotham Suites have seating areas. Our Club room had all we could want in comfort, including a hangover kit, and space enough to swing a cool cat.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
All meals are served in 6th-floor Honey restaurant, noted for its super city views, wall of typewriters, and bowler hats above the central breakfast bar. Luckily the food matches the setting. Breakfast is both bountiful buffet (tropical fruit, daily muffins, croissants, cereals) and a la carte (we scoffed crushed avocado with chilli, lemon and poached egg, and porridge with syrup and ice cream).
Other meals are chosen from a straightforward menu of British modern classics with a nod to the Northern setting. We savoured pretty beetroot gravadlax, deconstructed coq au vin, and curried monkfish, so were too full for the signature baked chocolate soup. Afternoon tea, bar snacks and sandwiches in Club Brass and room service keep the wolf from the door all other times.
No visit would be complete without plunging into cocktail heaven. You are greeted with a 'dark and stormy' (or another concoction of your choice), there's the on-call Martini trolley available early evening daily, and we began dinner with bellinis in beautiful Club Brass - also where we sipped peppermint tea before retiring.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Organic produce
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Take advantage of being in the city's shopping hub: designer boutiques are all around (Vivienne Westwood is opposite); the famous Armdale shopping centre is 10 minutes' walk away; vintage emporiums are in the Northern Quarter
- Manchester's a lively bar, restaurant and club scene is at hand
- Sights nearby include the recently restored Central Library, art and performance centre, HOME, and the excellent Museum of Science and Industry
- Head to Salford for The Lowry, and you can take a tour of Media City; on the way visit Coronation Street
- Take a day trip to Liverpool, the coast, Southport (from 45 minutes on the train to over an hour by car)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome and Manchester makes a great family city break at any time of year. However, the hotel is aimed squarely at adults and there's not much for children to do at the hotel, you'll be out and about during the day. Teenagers will enjoy the city's energy and excitements. And although in the centre, the streets around the hotel are pretty quiet
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Suites can all take extra beds and complimentary baby cots. All rooms bar Club Rooms can take a baby cot. There are 4 sets of interconnecting rooms throughout the hotel, including a pair of Club Rooms and a Club connecting with a Gotham Suite, which provide flexibility for differing budgets and family sizes. Families with teens will need to take connecting or adjacent rooms
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Children's meals:
- Kids menu
- High chair
Kids Activities nearby:
- The Museum of Science and Industry
- Footie fans have the National Museum of Football, Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium Tours
- Arndale Shopping Centre
- Manchester Aquatics Centre in Ardwick
- National Cycling Centre
- Salford offers The Lowry and CBBC tours at MediaCity
- Take a ride on the yellow trams
Families Should Know:
Make sure the kids look out for trams on nearby roads. The lifts are small so be prepared for a tight squeeze if you're wrangling stroller, suitcases and children
Distances:
- Airport: 25 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel Gotham is right in the city centre, in the upscale shopping district, not far from Chinatown, Deansgate, the Opera House, and Arndale Shopping Centre.
By Air:
Fly to Manchester Airport, which is to the South of the city. It takes about 25 minutes by car to reach the hotel from Manchester Airport, or around 35 minutes by train. The hotel can book taxis.
By Train:
Many will arrive via the railways. There are fast services to Manchester Piccadilly railway station, including frequent trains from London Euston which take just over 2 hours. The station is about a 10-minute walk away. See Seat 61 for more details.
By Car:
You will not need a car to get around Manchester, however, you may want to hire a car to see the surrounding area. Valet parking is available at an additional charge, or parking is available at the NCP car park, 5-10 minutes walk away.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to the UK and getting around
Airports:
- Manchester Airport 15.0 km MAN
Other:
- Beach 56.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km