As any self-respecting showbiz connoisseur will tell you, Manchester’s Midland Hotel is where David and Victoria Beckham enjoyed their first proper date back in the heady days of 1997. There’s much more history to the grand old place than that though. It was posh long before the former Spice Girl and her future husband graced the opulent marbled lobby.
Having played host to kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers and rock stars it has some fascinating tales up its sleeve. Sir Winston Churchill often stayed at the hotel, and many stories about his time here relate to the former prime minister's impressive appetite. It’s also the spot where Rolls met Royce. Charles Rolls and Henry Royce were introduced at The Midland Hotel in 1904, and went on to launch their luxury car business together.
Opened in 1903 to serve rail passengers from London, this four-star Grade II listed hotel is convenient for both Oxford Road and Piccadilly stations. Despite its grand old age, it's looking more polished than ever, having recently undergone a £14m refurbishment project of the bedrooms and ground floor.
The Midland is the perfect location for exploring the increasingly fashionable city centre, and – thanks to Manchester’s superb Metrolink tram system – beyond. Fine dining, nightlife, shopping and arts and culture are right on the hotel’s imposing doorstep.
Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about a stay at the Midland Hotel.
The rooms
The hotel has 312 bedrooms, including luxurious suites. The rooms are spacious and decorated with understated opulence. You can tell you are in the lap of luxury, but you don’t spend your stay worrying you might break something. The beds are a dream to sleep in too.
We opted for two twin rooms next door to each other with views over the city’s architectural landmark St Peter’s Square – one for me and our nearly-teenage daughter, the other for my husband and our 14 year old son.
The ladies were there for the spa, the dining and the shopping, while the boys were off to watch Manchester United at Old Trafford. No Posh ‘n Becks-style date night for me, alas.
The food
There are several options should you choose to dine in the hotel. Mount Street Dining Room and Bar is a modern British restaurant that brings together Northern hospitality and contemporary design. It’s perfect for a posh post-match pint or a cocktail-accompanied debrief after a busy day of shopping.
For something even fancier, book into Adam Reid at The French. Local chef Adam’s restaurant has received 4AA Rosettes and been named one of the top 15 restaurants in the UK. The menu is changed daily, with each dish incorporating fresh, locally sourced produce of the highest quality.
Can’t wait for dinner time to treat yourself? Then try The Tea Room at The Midland. As Manchester’s only setting specifically designed for, and dedicated to, afternoon tea, this is truly one of a kind. Serving traditional treats in opulent surroundings, the Tea Room boasts its own knowledgeable team who can guide you through this quintessential British pastime.
The breakfast
My husband’s rule is that a hotel lives or dies by the quality of its breakfast. He duly declared himself exceedingly happy with the Midland’s 'Full Mancunian'. NB: lighter breakfasts are available for those with less demanding stomachs.
The spa
The Midland is home to the award-winning Rena Spa, which is a delight even without a treatment booking. There’s a relaxation pool, where you’ll also find a sauna and aromatherapy steam rooms with sea air to clear the mind, plus a large separate relaxation room with ergonomic sleep chambers and hanging pod cocoons where you can sway your stress away.
There’s also a vast range of treatments at the spa to soothe, detox and beautify, including recently-introduced signature treatments from Germaine de Cappuccini. For rejuvenation, try the Timexpert C+ Radiance Facial, or from something a bit more unusual, book the Sperience Elements massage, a full body Feng Shui-inspired aromatherapy massage which matches one of five oils to your zodiac sign. Sounds heavenly…
How to book
A room at the Midland Hotel starts from £160. Visit www.themidlandhotel.co.uk for full details and special offers, or book through travel sites such as TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
