50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, Salford, United Kingdom | (251) 219-4428
Impressive, landmark hotel with sleek interiors and modern art
Riverfront setting opposite the iconic Trinity Bridge
Quiet location but with easy access to Manchester city center
Largest hotel rooms in Manchester
Chic on-site restaurant offers fine dining overlooking the river
Airy bar with modern takes on classic cocktails
Stylish spa with cutting-edge treatments and sauna
Free Wi-Fi available throughout
Car parking on-site (though rather pricey)
No swimming pool
Lack of wall sockets and no blackout blinds in rooms
Some rooms overlook the car park
It's hard not to be impressed by the glittering, curved facade and peaceful riverfront setting of this luxury landmark hotel. Little effort has been spared in creating a sleek, contemporary design space with a foot firmly in the world of modern art, from the lobby to the guest rooms. And while rooms aren't perfect, they're the largest you'll find in Manchester and finished beautifully with Italian porcelain bathrooms. The serene restaurant has an excellent menu and river views, but the on-site spa, strangely for a five-star, has no pool. Those not so keen on the ultra-modern might prefer Velvet -- at around the same price it's more central and definitely cozier.
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Scene
Sleek and sophisticated contemporary design with an artistic leaning
Purpose-built to revitalize the West Manchester waterfront, the Lowry Hotel firmly deserves the label of landmark hotel. A sweeping, glass exterior towers over the river and famous Trinity Bridge opposite. Inside, the bright, airy -- and achingly modern -- open-concept lobby also shimmers with polished stone floors. The creative vibe is enhanced by liberal scatterings of art and sculpture, mostly by young local artists, including in a first-floor gallery. Clientele tend to be sharply dressed businessmen, well-heeled travelers with an eye for modern design, and the occasional member of the glitterati.
Location
Quiet, riverfront setting just west of Manchester's city center
The hotel is located on a quiet canal in the west of the city center, next to a beautiful, modern suspension bridge -- the Trinity Bridge. The immediate neighborhood is dotted with shops and restaurants, while across the river is the main shopping district and handsome Northern Quarter with a large park. The walk into town is only about 15 minutes, and Salford Central train station is a five-minute walk away. It's about a 10-minute cab journey to the main Piccadilly train terminal, while Manchester Airport is about a 20-to 30-minute drive away.
Rooms
Manchester's largest hotel rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
The hotel's 158 rooms are all particularly spacious (allegedly Manchester's largest) and tastefully decorated. Muted tones blend with smart, contemporary furnishings and nice touches, like modern art, asymmetrical lounge chairs, and writing desks. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the rooms with daylight and provide river or city views. Amenities are what you'd expect from a five-star -- flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks -- but not a lot more. Bathrooms are adequate and finished with Italian porcelain, but, beyond high-end toiletries and robes, offer little to wow. Other niggles are the shortage of electricity outlets, especially near the bed, and lack of blackout blinds.
Features
Fine dining restaurant with river views, spa with high-end treatments
Overlooking the River Irwell, the hotel's River Bar & Grill has a serene vibe with artistic edge -- framed illustrations and playfully patterned curtains play off wood plank floors, and space abounds. The restaurant offers an impressive, fine dining menu and specializes in fish and dry-aged steaks. The River Bar is open around the clock and offers bespoke cocktails in relaxing surrounds with lots of natural light and live music -- on the terrace in warmer months. A spa provides a range of treatments, such as signature hot stone massages and cutting-edge, anti-aging facials. There is a sauna and a modern gym with street-facing windows, but no pool, unusual for a five-star. On-site parking is available but on the pricey side. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel.
