A city break is a great way to refresh your mind and soul. Unlike longer vacations, city breaks are short and sweet, making them perfect for busy people.
They offer an exciting escape from the daily grind without extensive planning or free time. One of my favorite cities for a short break is the cultural melting pot of Manchester.
It may be the wrong side of the Pennines (Yorkshire is the right side) but it has a lot to offer when it comes to entertainment with plenty to do and see. The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has a fascinating history with iconic landmarks such as Manchester Town Hall and the Museum of Science and Industry. Today, it’s known for its thriving music scene, having produced legendary bands such as Oasis – a fact that seems particularly relevant right now!
The city is also home to two world-famous football clubs, Manchester United and Manchester City, which add to its global appeal and football fans from around the world visit the city for this very reason. With an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars in areas such as the Northern Quarter and Spinningfields, as well as major cultural institutions such as the Whitworth Art Gallery and HOME, Manchester seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary vibrancy.
My friend and I spent a weekend in Manchester in the summer, a quick hop and a skip from Leeds, we were there in no time and home for the weekend, Piccadilly Reach was easy to find and well located in the city centre. Quietly adjacent to the Rochdale Canal, yet within easy reach of shopping streets, bars, restaurants and other popular attractions. Actually the hotel is located on Ducie street, for those of you who remember the legendary “Home” night club, boy I feel old…
We normally take advantage of Manchester’s excellent shopping, but this time we were after a bit of R+R, so we were delighted to be greeted by the friendly reception team, impeccably dressed in tweed. We were checked in seamlessly and shown to our well-appointed deluxe double room with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an upscale downtown hotel. Subtle and relaxing tones combined with luxurious bedding, a beautifully clean bathroom with a shower and luxurious toiletries, and a cafe filled with quality hot drinks and delicious sweet treats will make your stay quite cute.
We took an hour to unwind in the room, enjoyed a rather nice glass of bubbly by the window and thought about our plans for the afternoon – we decided to wander down to Canal Street and have a few afternoon drinks – Manchester’s bars and restaurants are always busy and vibrant and we definitely enjoyed a few drinks and a nice weekend atmosphere!
Unfortunately, we are not night owls and the weather broke out into a torrential downpour, we headed back to The Reach harbor and its lovely restaurant Lock 84 for an early dinner. Lukko 84 is definitely the crown jewel of this hotel, offering a wonderful selection of delicious food in a beautiful setting with stunning views of the canal.
The food here is right up my alley, with a range of tasty small plates to choose from, starting with locally baked bread served with whipped butter and smoked almonds – delicious! Then we shared the smoked pancetta and tomato arancini – tasty and moist rice balls with a rich pesto and parmesan, we also chose the whipped hummus with sourdough bread, juicy glazed ribs, gnocchi with garlic and mushrooms, smoked mackerel pasta and my favourite, tender cod cheeks and lemon mayo – oh my, this food was so tasty and so well presented!
I highly recommend the food at The Reach, sometimes we shun hotel restaurants in favor of well-known established restaurants, but this is a place to eat and I hope the word gets around! I also have to mention – the staff here are incredibly good, attentive but not intrusive and always ready with a recommendation – like the strawberry-lemon-Eto mess and the salted caramel brownie – I don’t usually go for dessert, but on this occasion, I was more than happy to dig in. We ended the evening with a perfectly served espresso martini and hit the hay feeling ready to explode!
Breakfast is another fanfare for food lovers, with a beautifully presented continental buffet and hot options available to order. Unfortunately, we were still full from last night, so we just enjoyed a cup of coffee and flipped through the Sunday papers. Bliss.
The Reach is the perfect base for a city break in Manchester. The hotel is quite new as it only opened in July, but apart from the “very new” feel to the rooms and public areas, you can imagine it has been there. for a while as it seems to run like a well oiled machine! It is well located to enjoy all the city has to offer, but also offers a peaceful haven away from the bustling bars to enjoy delicious food in luxurious surroundings.
Book your stay at The Reach at Piccadilly and make sure you reserve a table at Lock 84, don’t miss that brownie! Tell them I sent you.
The Reach at Piccadilly: 7 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JB
Call: 0161 383 0033
Words by Joanne Brook-Smith
Frequently asked questions about cruises from Southampton
