Premier Inn Manchester Airport (M56/J6) Runger Lane South

Dropped ceilings and a cramped seating area with dull, purple and brown chairs with clashing patterns make a dreary first impression. The living room-like space has a TV, shelves of books for guests to read, and a computer workstation. The cheeriest element here is a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream vending machine. But the steady stream of travelers who want easy airport access aren't here for the decor, and the hotel's restaurant on the opposite side of the lobby, which serves breakfast and dinner and has a bar, is a nice perk. The property stays busy, and lines can form at the registration desk during peak flight times. 

The hotel is located off busy M56 (North Cheshire Motorway), about a four-minute drive or shuttle to Manchester Airport and its train station. Commercial buildings and a few other hotels surround the property, including its sister hotel across the parking lot. A couple of restaurants/pubs are within walking distance, but there is little else of note in the immediate vicinity. It’s about a 25-minute drive or train ride from the airport to the center of Manchester. Etihad Stadium, home field of the Manchester United Football Club, is 25 minutes by car. 

The decor in these tidy guest rooms is pleasant, with purple used as an accent for bed throws, drapes, and in carpeting, but spaces are nonetheless drab, thanks in part to small windows. Still, units are comfortable and relatively spacious. White walls and bedding help, as does the modular-style wood furniture with a light finish. All rooms come with desks, headboards, small open closets, and upholstered chairs. Some units on higher floors overlook airport runways, but most simply look out upon parking lots, wooded lots, and surrounding buildings. Room options include Doubles and Family (two Doubles), and many past guests have praised the comfort of the beds. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, kettles, and free Wi-Fi, and while there's AC, several past guests have complained about its effectiveness. Bathrooms are small and basic, with cramped stall showers and wall-mounted soap dispensers, but they do have heated towel racks. Black-and-white vanities are located just outside. Ambient noise from hallways and other rooms can be heard at times, as can noise from the busy road in certain rooms facing it.  

With few dining options nearby, airport travelers will appreciate that this hotel has a restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. Thyme Restaurant and Bar offers a full hot breakfast for an extra charge, and there's an a la carte dinner menu with steaks, burgers, seafood, and salads. It also has a full bar that sells packages snacks and several draught beers. The hotel’s airport shuttle operates one-way (airport only) during peak morning hours for a nominal fee. Parking on the hotel’s large surface lot costs extra too, though park-and-fly packages are offered. There's no fitness center on-site, but the lobby has a computer workstation, and there's a space where business travelers can hold small meetings. Vending machines are also in the lobby, including one that sells Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, there are shelves of books to borrow, and an ATM. Wi-Fi is free throughout.