Review: the Hyatt House Manchester hotel
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This is our review of the Hyatt House Manchester hotel.
The hotel became a Hyatt House in January 2020. This review was written a year earlier when the property originally opened, at which point it was branded as Staybridge Suites.
Staybridge Suites is one of IHG’s lesser known brands, at least compared to InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza. Staybridge Suites are, in theory, designed as long-stay serviced apartments but, as you can happily book for just one night if you wish, they are a useful option anyone who simply wants more space than a normal hotel room.
Staybridge Suites shares the same building as the Crowne Plaza in Manchester and, after my stay at the Crowne Plaza – click here for my review – I was given a tour.
The Hyatt House Manchester Oxford Road website is here.
The Staybridge Suites occupies the upper floors of the building, 13-18, and is not accessible from within the Crowne Plaza. To get in you must enter from the Staybridge lobby, which has two lifts to the top floor where the reception, pantry and lounge areas are (however, once in Staybridge, you CAN access the Crowne Plaza facilities and gym).
Here is the lobby – I am told there is some more furniture yet to come:
The lift takes you to the 18th floor, where there is a receptionist:
….. and pantry that sells various basics including posh microwave meals, basic medicines and snacks etc:
…. and the view across the University of Manchester:
The common area has various sections including an outdoor-but-indoor terrace for fresh air but none of the rain.
This is ‘The Den’, a cosy little room that can be closed off from the rest of the lounge:
There is also a kitchen area where breakfast is served every morning (breakfast is included in all rates at the Staybridge) as well hosting various early evening socials with drinks and snacks:
The rooms
You can book either one bedroom or studio rooms. Some are combinable with adjacent rooms to create two bedroom apartments, since they have internal doors. All suites come with their own kitchenettes including dishwasher, convection microwave, pots, pans, utensils etc. There is also a small dining table that can be moved and a day bed, facing the TV:
and
Here’s a slightly clearer promotional image showing the two combined:
Here is the bathroom, which comes with larger toiletries rather than the single-use ones at the Crowne Plaza – saving on some plastic waste:
One bedroom apartments are about double the size of a studio and look more like a standard apartment. The IHG promotional photos do a better job of showing how it works:
and
The rooms are serviced daily except for weekends, when it is on request. There is also a laundry room available. The rooms have a similar styling to the Crowne Plaza and benefit from all the same amenities of a newly built hotel including excellent connectivity and power sockets. The TVs are able to connect to your devices, allowing you to stream Netflix and other on-demand programs.
One point worth noting is that Staybridge Suites guests can order room service from the Crowne Plaza. This is not a feature that is usually available at Staybridge Suites properties.
Since Staybridge Suites shares the same building as the Crowne Plaza you also get access to its light and airy gym:
Conclusion
The Staybridge Suites on Manchester Oxford Road is a great compromise if you’re looking for hotel-style serviced apartments. The studio suite is not huge, and might be a bit of a squeeze for two people on a long-term stay, but with the lounge facilities and organised socials on the 18th floor it is possibly to live comfortably here. The one bedroom apartments are more spacious.
In terms of rates, the Staybridge Suites is only marginally more expensive than the Crowne Plaza. For a random midweek night in January, for example, Advanced Purchase rates are:
Standard room at Crowne Plaza (room only) – £99
Studio Suite at Staybridge Suites (free breakfast) – £111
Executive room at Crowne Plaza (includes lounge access) – £122
1 Bedroom Suite at Staybridge Suites (free breakfast) – £134
1 Bedroom Suite at Crowne Plaza (includes lounge access) – £176
Remember that, whilst designed for longer stays, there is no minimum stay requirement at Staybridge Suites.
IHG Rewards Club redemptions at both properties cost 35,000 points per night, which is a little high in my view unless room rates are £140 or more. Thanks to IHG and the Staybridge Suites team for letting me interrupt their busy schedule.
EDIT: The new website, now it is a Hyatt House, is here.
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