Retro rooms, a modern rooftop bar with stunning views and sumptuous food. The Malmaison has everything you need for the quintessential city stay.
The hotel on Princess Street is Manchester’s second, and recently opened to the public in February.
The four star hotel is in a prime position in the city, overlooking Manchester Town Hall, and within walking distance from shops, galleries, museums and restaurants that populate the city centre.
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It features a rooftop bar and has 70 rooms and suites spanning across six floors. Despite being located on Princess Street, bosses have opted to refer to the hotel as Malmaison Deansgate thanks to its proximity to the famous stretch of road.
The interior and art pieces were the first striking aspects of the hotel upon entry. As you step into the building you are met with walls featuring paintings and photos. Statues produced by local artists line the entrance with many having a subtle nod to Manchester’s industrial past and impact on music.
During my stay, I couldn’t help but stop to marvel at the different styles of art that are on show in the hotel. The artistic flair and quirky designs continued into the rooms.
The bedrooms pay homage to the retro designs of the 60s and 70s, referencing the iconic G Plan furniture of that era. Spurts of bright colours, floral patterns and showers with mosaic tile walls of tropical rainforests dispelled any idea of the boring by-the-numbers chain hotel designs that we have become accustomed to.
The design of the building stayed on just the right side of tasteful as going any further would have crept into tacky sensory overload.
The rooms transport you into the swinging 60s, and the rooftop bar and restaurant bring you back into the modern age. The rooftop bar is the crown jewel of the hotel, boasting a suave and moody lighting and a breath-taking view of the city centre skyline.
Unfortunately, the main attraction – the town hall, stands wrapped in white like an inanimate mummy due to construction work. That does spoil things a little, but if you look past that or tilt your head slightly right or left, then you are in for a treat – a beautiful bird’s-eye perspective of some of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.
The rooftop bar is called SORA. It is one of two restaurants in the hotel with the second one found on the bottom floor.
SORA serves Pan-Asian fusion style tapas. For my visit I indulged in their Red Dragon Sushi for £14, Scallop in a Shell which cost £8, Tempura Tiger Prawns that will set you back £12.50, Crispy Fried Rice Bites that go for £5, Asian Slaw which is £4 and Grass Fed Strip Loins that cost £17.
The dining experience was exemplary. Every dish placed in front of me cost a premium and tasted as such, from the tantalisingly fresh sushi to the jaw-droppingly tasty oysters.
Downstairs is the trademark Malmaison Bar & Grill that is found in every Malmaison property in the country.
This was the venue for our breakfast and while the menu wasn’t as exotic, it was just as tasty. For my morning meal I opted for the Malmaison Full Cooked breakfast, which is £21.
Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. From check in to check out, everything was smooth. The customer service was top notch and I got to explore the city with a base that’s always within reach.
What more could you ask for a city centre getaway?
Travel fact file
Michael was a guest at Malmaison Deansgate, which is located at 23 Princess St, Manchester M2 4ER. He drove from Heywood, which takes an average of 25 minutes.
He parked at the Q-Park Piazza on St James St, Manchester M1 4LX, which is an eight-minute walk from the hotel. He stayed in a standard room.
The hotel has 70 rooms and suites and is made up of six floors. It features a signature restaurant Malmaison Bar & Grill which seats 114 guests and serves a stylish fusion grill menu, offering a contemporary take on classic and seasonal dishes, carefully curated by chef director John Woodward, served alongside a curated wine list and bar menu.
The hotel is also home to Malmaison’s second SORA rooftop bar and restaurant in the UK, which seats 116 guests across its restaurant and terrace that overlooks the historic Manchester Town Hall.
Guests can mix and match small plates from a selection of sushi, Robatayaki and Pan-Asian fusion style tapas dishes, and sip signature cocktails while taking in the striking view of the city. Bookings to the hotel can be made here.
Room pricing including the £1.20 per night city tax:
· Standard room priced from £120.20 room-only, £152.20 bed and breakfast.
· Club room priced from £141.20 room-only, £173.20 bed and breakfast.
· Club Deluxe room priced from £155.20 room-only, £187.20 bed and breakfast.
· Junior Suite priced from £199.20 room-only, £231.20 bed and breakfast.
· Suite priced from £221.20 room-only, £253.20 bed and breakfast.
