Review: the DoubleTree Manchester Airport hotel

This is our review of the DoubleTree Manchester Airport hotel.

Last month, the Hilton Manchester Airport hotel quietly rebranded as a DoubleTree.

These changes usually happen when a hotel no longer meets the standards required to retain the Hilton brand but wants to stay within the Hilton ‘family’. However, a number of readers sprung to the defence of the DoubleTree, saying that it had recently been refubished and was looking good.

Reader Vasco had recently stayed at the hotel and offered to write a review of the ‘new’ DoubleTree Manchester Airport for us to help resolve the issue.

The official hotel website is here if you want to find out more.

Over to Vasco:

“I hadn’t stayed at the DoubleTree Manchester Airport when it was a Hilton, so I can’t compare. It does look like it has been refurbished recently.

This refurbishment has been very good in the common areas, which looked great.

There was a (small) gym which was operational, although due to Covid it was required to book it in advance. I didn’t use it, but it seemed pretty well equipped.

Location

DoubleTree Manchester Airport is located across a dual carriageway from Manchester Airport railway station, but it wasn’t very easy to work out how to actually get from one to the other.

What I eventually ended up doing (with some educated guessing and the help of Google Maps) was to go from the station platforms to the adjacent bus terminal, then walk across the bus loading area (which seems to be technically prohibited, but there weren’t any buses about so I thought I’d try my luck), then walk a bit down the dual carriageway Outwood Lane until I found a concreted gap in the mostly grass central reservation.

Not the most pleasant thing to do dragging two suitcases, but there is a traffic light controlled crossing a bit further north.

If you’re coming by car you should have a much easier time, as there is parking available for £15 a night.

Arrival at DoubleTree Manchester Airport

On arrival, I was greeted by a very pleasant member of reception staff who checked me in.

As a Gold member of Hilton Honors I was upgraded from the Queen Room I’d booked to a King Deluxe Room.

I could have opted to check in with the app completely contact free, but I avoid doing that as I’m not confident of getting any upgrades that way.

Rooms at DoubleTree Manchester Airport

The room was large, and the bed was very comfortable.

I was slightly taken aback by the presence of a portable electric heater, but this wasn’t needed at all.

Remember that this was a King Room, and I’d expect the base Queen Rooms to be a bit smaller.

I liked that there was a full sized desk I could work in, and that rarest of amenities nowadays, a ceiling light.

The bathroom was a mixed bag. It was definitely clean, and I know some people will appreciate the individual sized Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries and bar soap, but I personally dislike them.

This is also where you can see a few corners were cut in the refurbishment, such as just filling up holes in the tiles where some fitting was fixed before rather than replacing the tile altogether. Very shoddy workmanship!

I had a bit of trouble figuring out the shower as well, but I worked it out in the end. I’d add that I slept well, despite going to bed at a much earlier time than usual.

Room service

As Manchester is in Tier 3 the restaurant was closed, but room service was operational.

They waive the £5 tray charge if you came to collect the tray yourself. I ordered fish and chips which was surprisingly good, especially the chips which definitely hadn’t been microwaved.

There is slightly threatening communication about outside food and beverage not being allowed. I doubt it’ll stop anyone sneaking beer in, especially as nothing is said about this when booking and it doesn’t set a very friendly tone.

This is in complete contrast to every member of staff I’ve encountered, who were all extremely pleasant and willing to go above and beyond, even offering extra DoubleTree cookies!

I also declined the grab and go breakfast I was entitled to as a Gold member, as I had a 6am flight and really didn’t feel like anything when I left at about 4:30am.

Little did I know that Air France flights operated by Hop don’t serve anything but a glass of water, even in business class, but that’s a rant for another day….

Booking DoubleTree Manchester Airport

I paid £71 for this particular stay. The room and dinner earned me a total of 3,394 Hilton Honors points and two elite night credits thanks to the current promotion.

£71 is a little steep perhaps, but the location is very convenient once you get the hang of it, staff were great and the rooms have all you could want for a preflight stay.

I’ll definitely return when I’m next due to fly out of Manchester. Whilst the hotel may have ‘dropped’ from a Hilton to a DoubleTree, this is a very solid hotel following its refurbishment.”

You can see more and book on the hotel website here.

Looking for a hotel in Manchester?

We’ve reviewed a number of hotels in the city, including (click to read):

• Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre review (IHG One Rewards)
• Hyatt House Manchester review (World of Hyatt)
• Hyatt Regency Manchester review (World of Hyatt)
• INNSiDE Manchester review (MeliaRewards)
• Kimpton Clocktower Manchester review (IHG One Rewards)
• Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly review (Marriott Bonvoy)
• Moxy Manchester City review (Marriott Bonvoy)

At the airport we have reviewed:

• DoubleTree Manchester Airport review (Hilton Honors)
• Holiday Inn Manchester Airport review (IHG One Rewards)
• Marriott Manchester Airport review (Marriott Bonvoy)
• TRIBE Manchester Airport review (Accor Live Limitless)

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.