Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, in partnership with Mix Manchester, has announced plans to establish the largest Premier Inn hotel in the North of England at Manchester Airport.
The new 276-bedroom Premier Inn hotel will increase the brand’s room capacity in the Manchester area by more than 50%. This facility serves Manchester Airport, the UK’s third busiest airport, with connections to over 200 domestic and international destinations.
The future Premier Inn hotel at Manchester Airport will operate under lease and will showcase a range of the brand’s latest styles, including the popular Premier Plus rooms. In addition, there is The Social space on the ground floor of the hotel, which aims to increase the brand’s stylish offerings.
Whitbread’s investment in Manchester reflects its strategic focus on expanding and optimizing its hotel network in the city to better meet customer needs. In addition to the new 276-bedroom Premier Inn at Manchester Airport, the company has acquired freehold for another 229-bedroom Premier Inn this year. They have also sold their Deansgate Locks hotel for refurbishment.
Jill Anderson, head of acquisitions at Whitbread, said: “We are serious about continuing to grow Premier Inn in the North of England and offer the flexibility, security and development expertise to acquire large hotels, as we have done at Manchester Airport.
“Having the largest Premier Inn in the North of England is a momentous moment for Whitbread and one we are proud to deliver. With passenger numbers growing strongly at the airport, I’m sure it will become a popular choice for our customers when we open our doors and start welcoming our guests.
Currently, Premier Inn Manchester City Center (Portland Street) is the largest Premier Inn in the North of England with 233 guest rooms. Meanwhile, Manchester Airport has seen a significant increase in passenger traffic, recording 29.6 million passengers in the 12 months to 12 August 2024.
The new Premier Inn on Rochdale Road is expected to welcome guests in 2026. The development is part of Whitbread’s ongoing expansion efforts, which recently included the opening of a new hotel at London Paddington station, which opened last month.
