Peter Street, Manchester, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Housed in a handsome, historic heritage building
Situated in a prime Manchester city center location
Underground spa features a large swimming pool with jet streams and a whirlpool
Two fine-dining restaurants on-site, including Steak & Lobster
Luxurious Opus Reserve Bar that serves tapas and champagne
Guest bathrooms feature Gilchrist and Soames toiletries and separate dry and wet rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms show signs of wear
Windows in rooms don't open
You'd be hard pressed to find a hotel building that has borne witness to a more impressive catalog of iconic 20th-century moments, from Churchill speeches to groundbreaking musical performances. Rooms are certainly high-end, but lacking the wow factor some may expect from an advertised five-star property. The spa is suitably swanky, especially the large pool, and the two on-site dining options are both excellent. The nearest competition is The Midland hotel, offering similarly refined lodging close by, though its rates are usually a little lower.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Iconic 19th-century landmark with hallowed history and contemporary panache
This Radisson Blu Edwardian is housed in Manchester's renowned Free Trade Hall, built in 1853. The building was the setting for some of the city's most iconic moments in politics and music (most famously where Bob Dylan was heckled by an audience member for his first electric guitar performance). Renovated and relaunched as a luxury hotel in 2004, the original neoclassical architecture blends effortlessly into the contemporary glass atrium in the lobby -- a bright, airy space, scattered with quirky art pieces. Just beyond the atrium is the reception area, with its plush velvet sofas and centerpiece crystal chandelier. The ambience is refined but not stuffy, and the hotel attracts high-end business guests, well-heeled tourists, and the occasional celebrity.
Location
Situated in the heart Manchester, a short walk from the Central Convention Complex
The hotel has a prime location on Peter Street, one of central Manchester's main thoroughfares. Most of the city's central attractions are within walking distance, including the Central Convention Complex, a two-minute walk away, and Chinatown, about five minutes from the hotel by foot. Piccadilly Station train terminal takes less than 10 minutes to reach by car, while Manchester Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
Rooms
Bathrooms with luxury toiletries and dry and wet rooms
The hotel's 263 rooms are decorated in warm, earthy tones with thick velvety bed-throws, sleek wooden furnishings, and black and white photographs. Amenities are standard for a hotel of this caliber and include free Wi-Fi and smart flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms have marble countertops, and wet and dry rooms tiled with Scandinavian slate, and come with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. A few rooms overlook the central atrium; others have city views.
Features
Impressive underground spa and choice of two snazzy restaurants
Built on the site of historic barrel vaults, the luxury Sienna Spa features a large swimming pool with jets, a whirlpool, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness center. One of Manchester's liveliest and most popular restaurants, the OpusOne serves innovative modern British food in wonderfully extravagant surroundings bathed in red neon. Another fun dining option is the Steak & Lobster restaurant, serving what you'd expect given its name; this restaurant also puts on occasional live jazz nights. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel; there's also a business center and a few conference rooms.
