Have to say, I just did a night here and was very very impressed.

For context, I'm RA and get ruined at IC's general speaking but Kimpton is a new world with only a couple of stays. Both excellent.

Following this stay, I would not hesitate to stay Kimpton and the Clocktower is our new 'Manchester go to' without a shadow of a doubt. We like a few grown up nights out in Manchester and the Kimpton is good enough to make that a couple extra a year. It's a good city these days.

Staff are enthusiastic, actually smiling rather than just going to work, and highly responsive..... they really are. And it's across the board not just a couple of friendly faces.

Rooms are thoughtfully designed and furnished although it's true to say they have to be designed into a listed building which means layout can be a tad odd but hey, it's character right? And it was like going back to the old days pre pandemic .... nice coffee table magazines (Wallpaper, GQ, Monocle etc) and local culture, event books in room . At last, some hotels are getting it. Well done Kimpton.

Amenities are more than generous and very personalised and almost too much to list. Wine and cocktails in cans was a new one on me but then that's no terrible thing. And the GRM bought us up a more than decent bottle of red up as well.

The bar, restaurant and breakfast service were all very solid propositions. Very nice environments to spend time in. The Refuge Bar area had a DJ playing and whilst I might ordinarily have run a mile at the concept of that, it was more than acceptable, not intrusive. It caused us to have a long discussion about how some hotel bars and dining areas are places you can't wait to get out of and others you never want to leave. Kimpton Clocktower is one of those you find it hard to leave.

There was no valet park and parking outside to offload is a bit messy. It's heavy with bike and bus lanes but it's manageable and the preferred car park is literally meters away, good value and very secure and clean.

Value wise, it was excellent ... a little over £200 but for a super quality room. And they were generous with suite upgrades as well without any real arm twisting.

I wasn't greatly keen on the white wine during the Social Hour but then we had spent an afternoon downing cocktails in the Refuge Bar there, so probably not the optimum way to go ... it's likely better than I give credit for. Clientele at the Social Hour were a slightly odd bunch but again, this is the vibe I guess .... talking to man who has spent way too many nights of his adult life in IC club lounges whether work or holiday wise ... I need get used to this slightly younger approach .... I struggle a bit to see near all staff well dressed but in white trainers .... but hey I seem be in a minority these days ..... it's another pet discussion in the Atacama household.

Really first class stay. A new style, a new approach (for me) and it did not disappoint in any way whatsoever. If you are an RA (or a Diamond) and used to IC treatment, you will not be in any way disappointed at what the Clocktower has to offer.