The Marriott V and A is a four star hotel converted from former warehouses and backs onto the River Irwell. It has been a hotel in previous lives but this one seems to be working.
The entrance and lobby have high ceilings affording a feeling of space. There is a half galleried wooden mezzanine floor; with exposed original brickwork and use of more wood downstairs, the sofas in soft shades of red and orange also work well to diffuse the corporate feel. Yes, it’s part of a chain but this is not always a bad thing. Individual rooms have more exposed brickwork and wooden beams and are above average in size. The very large beds have Egyptian cotton sheets and comfy pillows; I expect one might sleep like a baby.
The comprehensive breakfast is even more pleasant if you take a window seat overlooking the river; you might see an eight practising their strokes and a heron fishing.
Valet parking is a bit steep at £14 a day and the hotel is a little out of the centre. But the upside to this is it’s quiet at night.
Water Street , Manchester, UK
Cost standard double room: £££, suite: ££££
Services parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, room service, business services, internet access
