Weston Hall of Residence Sackville Street, Manchester, United Kingdom | (888) 499-9698
Five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, Chinatown, and Canal Street
Within walking distance of numerous restaurants and shops
Rooms have comfy beds, large desks, flatscreen TVs, and kettles
Restaurant and bar set in an attractive conservatory with a large beer garden
Cafe serving Illy coffee, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas
Large courtyard garden with several benches and tables
11 conference rooms, the largest of which holds 100 people
Free Wi-Fi
Dated furnishings throughout hotel
Complaints of noise issues from bar and adjacent rooms
Rooms are small and lack mini-fridges and air-conditioning
Wi-Fi is reportedly spotty
No fitness facilities
The two-and-half-pearl Pendulum Hotel is dated property attracting a mix of business travelers and couples, who appreciate its great location a five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, Canal Street, and Chinatown. The 117 rooms have lots of outdated decor and basic furnishings, plus flat-screen TVs, spotty but free Wi-Fi, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. A restaurant and bar is set in an attractive conservatory, and there's a large beer garden with plenty of seating. No fitness or wellness facilities are on-site. It's worth comparing rates with the Premier Inn Manchester City Centre Portland Street, which has more modern rooms.
Scene
Tired hotel with dated decor in red hues, but pleasant courtyard
The Pendulum has seen better days, and it feels a bit more like a conference center than a hotel, likely because it's connected to one. Dated furnishings include scarlet carpets, speckled gray tiling, mismatched wooden furniture, and faux-leather seating in red, green, and black. The garden bar is outfitted similarly, but it's situated in a large conservatory that brings in natural light and gives the space a more pleasant feel. Just outside is a courtyard, which acts as a popular beer garden and has ample seating. The hotel tends to attract a mix of business travelers wanting be near the conference facilities, as well as tourists that appreciate the affordable rates and proximity to Chinatown and Canal Street.
Location
Five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, Chinatown, and Canal Street
A main allure of the Pendulum Hotel is its great location. The hotel is next to the Manchester Conference Centre, and a five-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station, from which guests can get trams around town. It’s also five minutes to Canal Street, in the center of Manchester’s Gay Village and the heart of the city’s party scene, as well as to Chinatown. St Peter’s Square is a 10-minute walk away, while the Arndale Center and the Northern Quarter are both 15 minutes away. Manchester Victoria train station is a 10-minute drive across town, or 15 minutes by tram from Manchester Piccadilly. Expect transfers to Manchester Airport to take 15 to 20 minutes by car, or 30 minutes by train.
Rooms
Dated rooms with flat-screen TVs and kettles
Rooms have a dated design with red accents dominating the bedspreads, drapes, carpets, and accent walls -- some in various shades that clash. Basic wood furniture consists of open wardrobes, desks, headboards with built-in shelves, and black faux-leather armchairs. There are no mini-fridges or air-conditioning, but flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, fans, and irons are provided. Single Rooms are available, as are larger Executive Suites, each of which have a couch. White-tiled bathrooms have shower/tub combos with plastic curtains. On the downside, many guests have complained of noise from the bar and neighboring rooms.
Features
Garden bar and restaurant, and 11 conference rooms
In addition to the location, the Pendulum Hotel's highlight is its bar and restaurant in a pleasant conservatory. The eatery serves a buffet breakfast and a la carte menu of bar-type food all day long. Outside is a large courtyard garden with plenty of seating, and a pergola for inclement weather. Upstairs is a small cafe serving Illy coffee and light meals such as sandwiches, salads, and burgers. There are 11 conference rooms, the largest of which can seat 100 people. No fitness facilities are on-site, unfortunately. Wi-Fi is free but reportedly spotty.