-
I’ve got an international departure out of MAN next year, and am intending to stay overnight before the flight.
As noted elsewhere the CP at the airport is unavailable.
The other IHG & Hilton airport options look poor.
I’m travelling up by train.So instead of an airport hotel, I’m thinking of booking the Kimpton on points.
It is across the road from Oxford Road station, with a direct train to the airport every half an hour or so.
That station also has a regular service from Piccadilly, which is where my intercity train would arrive (and depart from when I return from abroad).Have I missed anything obvious? (I’m aware there is a HIX across the road).
If anyone can kindly comment on the quality of the breakfast and personal experience of room upgrades (on points) as an IHG Platinum or Diamond, it would be appreciated.
Thanks.
The Kimpton is about a ten minute walk from Piccadilly and about 2mins from Oxford Road.
It’s a beautiful building and the staff want to do their best. The dining room is gorgeous.
Breakfast is fine, with a decent buffet selection and a number of made-to-order items. Very much in line with other Kimptons I’ve stayed at.
The rooms I am less excited about. I’ve never managed to get the HVAC working correctly – it seems to be on some central control, so whatever you do the rooms are always cold (I have been in six different rooms). The best solution they’ve ever been able to come up with is extra electric heaters. I’ve only been upgraded as a result of service recovery (being Diamond, staying on points or cash), but they did always mention the hotel was full.
Frankly, I only now go back if the rate is really good or if there’s a points sale. The Holiday Inn City Centre is a good option.
@Aston100, I would only stay in the city centre if I had plenty of time the next day for a leisurely Kimpton breakfast. You need to build in a bit of extra time for your chosen train to be cancelled, there’s a huge issue with drivers atm. Also obviously keep an eye on strike announcements nearer the time. Depending on which terminal you’re departing from you’ll have a few minutes’ walk from the station when you arrive. The ground is marked with directions all the way so you can’t get lost lol.
I agree MAN hotel prices are crazy and the hotels themselves distinctly mediocre but for convenience and peace of mind they do what they say on the tin.
@PeteM, I love the Clocktower air con! Not stayed for a while though as prices have gone IHG-silly like many other properties of late. The Indigo is better value (and also brand new). Probably the best value chain hotel I’ve stayed in recently was the Doubletree Piccadilly, I was very impressed that they have a separate dining room for gold and diamond members so even though it was busy, breakfast felt relaxed.Thanks both.
It’s a Saturday departure next summer, late afternoon, so lazy breakfast isn’t a problem.If there are alternative IHG or HH options in the city centre area that are convenient for a train to the airport, I’d be keen to hear about them.
I note the Indigo and the CP are by Victoria Station, but I’d have to walk and get a tram to Piccadilly, followed by a train to the airport.Thanks both.
It’s a Saturday departure next summer, late afternoon, so lazy breakfast isn’t a problem.If there are alternative IHG or HH options in the city centre area that are convenient for a train to the airport, I’d be keen to hear about them.
I note the Indigo and the CP are by Victoria Station, but I’d have to walk and get a tram to Piccadilly, followed by a train to the airport.Train from Victoria to Salford Crescent and then pick up one of the Airport trains there. Probably easier/quicker than getting to Picc.
You could also do Stockport HIX right next to the station and an Uber (7 miles to the airport).
Be aware if you’re going to T3 it’s a long walk from the station and they’re unlikely to have fixed the travelators even by next summer. Long walk to T1 as well but it’s slightly shorter than T3.
Victoria has direct airport trains. If I were you I’d stay at Indigo if cheaper, but Kimpton fine too and the better hotel. And be prepared to Uber it to the airport if trains are acting the muppet.
Don’t forget there is a brand new Holiday Inn opening right next to MAN terminal 2 on 4th January 2023.
It’s not a cheap option though, at least £150 pn for any date I’ve checked. I’ve booked it for 35k points at Easter because it’s new and I want to compare it to the Doubletree but the MAN hotel situation continues to be dire. The CP is housing refugees for at least the next year which is no doubt helping to keep the prices of the handful of other properties at stupid levels. It says it all the Doubletree is charging more than the Hilton Deansgate on some nights!
The best solution they’ve ever been able to come up with is extra electric heaters.
I used to travel for work a lot in the UK. A small 1kW fan heater was a lifesaver in so many hotels in the winter. AirCon takes ages to warm a room.
Thanks all.
I’ll set alerts for both the Indigo and the Kimpton for my chosen date.Looks like multiple transport options from both of those. Kimpton seems more convenient all round, but is costlier.
On the Kimpton, as has been said, 2 minutes from MCO, and that’s with the pedestrian crossing lights against you. Upgrades, I was upgraded there last visit (Diamond) but it was a paid trip. Don’t expect even an upgraded room to wow you.
Transport – good number of trains to Manchester Airport per hour (20-30 minutes, depending if a stopper train) from Oxford Rd. If there’s train issues, strikes etc…. You can fall back to a bus that stops outside the Kimpton every 30 minutes (from memory, that’s in the evening may be more frequent during the day) takes 50-70 minutes, that’s the no 43. Or walk down to Deansgate or up to St Peters Sq to get the tram, goes every 12 minutes, takes ~50 minutes.
On the Indigo at Victoria. Trains wise there’s currently one (unreliable) train per hour plus the same tram as the one from St Peters Sq/Deansgate takes longer as Victoria is the starting point.
On the MAN campus, there the Doubletree (which is looking a lot past its prime, hence why it lost its Hilton badge and became a Hilton Doubletree), the staff have always been pleasant however walking to terminal is a muddy nightmare depending on your route. Been upgraded every time as Diamond.
The Clayton, was fine last time I was there, closest to T3.
The Radisson, decent choice, best for the airport train station, staff are hit and miss. Also, stupid rules. I got to the hotel after nearly 24 hours of travel to be told (at reception) that I couldn’t order food as they stop serving at 9.30pm, it was 9.10pm, but as far as they were concerned that was too late. I’m gold (or whatever they are calling it now) been upgraded about 3/4 of the time. Tends to be my go to Manchester Airport hotel. Someone mentioned fixing the travelators, they are going to be taken out. Manchester Airport thinks constantly fixing them costs too much.
In the city centre, as has been said, The Doubletree at Piccadilly is a decent choice. Close to Piccadilly train station when you arrive.
If you are willing to take the tram and you want a IHG property then the Crowne Plaza is near Shudehill tram stop (1 stop from Victoria). Not too far from Indigo. So it would be get to Piccadilly tram to Shudehill, next day tram Shudehill to Airport (It leaves Victoria then Shudehill thru the city centre St Peters Sq then Deansgate then wanders slowly to the Airport). Was upgraded when I was there a month ago. Also has a free bus from Piccadilly to the Shudehill bus station (Free Bus 2, this is quick from Piccadilly to Shudehill but slow from Shudehill to Piccadilly as it’s a circular bus route). Personally, I’d get the free bus (2) for either the Indigo or Crowne Plaza.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
