Check In

Check in was a little odd as it turns out that the Manchester United football team were in the hotel prior to their FA Cup match that evening.  So there was lots of posh buses, signs saying 'guests only' and a fair bit of huge guys as security!  That said, I was made to feel very welcome as I walked in the front door.  Check in for both the HR and HH are the same place, but I was quickly dealt with, given an upgrade to a higher floor and headed off to my room.  All in all very simple.

Room

The room was very well appointed - modern but still with some warmth. Nice big windows framed the room nicely.  The bed was very comfy - in fact I slept like a log when I went to bed!  The bathroom was an OK size but very modern - with a walk in shower but no bath.  I was quite happy with it and the aminities - quite a nice brand albeit normal (I think) for HR. Hairdryer was good although no plugs next to the mirror!  Plugs and USB sockets next to the bed so all pretty well appointed.  

All in all I was very impressed with the room and much preferred it to the HR Birmingham that I stayed in previously.

Service

Service was impeccable - from the friendly check in to the ever attentive bar man and waiter.  I was very impressed with how much they paid attention!

Dining

I stayed int he hotel and had a few drinks plus some flatbread for my evening dinner - I also had breakfast in teh morning.

The cocktails were good - a little pricy but a good size.  The flatbread I had was probably the best I have had of that sort of nibbles - really really good!  Breakfast was the usual buffet affair - all the normal stuff laid out for self-service.  I couldn't fault it although it would have been nice to see the chef or have an egg station to cook fresh eggs.

Location

Location was fine for the airport - I drove to there the next morning and it only took 15 mins of an easy drive. The parking is in a separate building - actually is the University campus parking but was very safe - it cost me £15 for the overnight which is on a par with most UK hotels these days.

I cant comment on location with regards to the sights of Manchester as I didnt leave the hotel - but there was a Brew Dog pub close by and some other restaurants if you didnt want to eat in the hotel.

Overall

Overall I really liked this hotel - it had everything I look for - modern furnishings, nice food, good cocktails and easy access to the airport in the morning. I will definitely stay here again over hotels at the airport if I am driving - it just in a different class.  Next time I will be staying at the Hyatt House and will put a review of that up in comparison.

Check In

I promised I would come back with a review for the Hyatt House.  I recently stayed in the Hyatt Regency and wanted to compare the two.  Check in was in the same place, at the same desk. I was asked why I had picked HH having stayed at HR previously - the man just checked when I said it was another brand I needed!  I was quickly given my key to a room on the 17th floor.  The HH uses a different lift - there is in fact a separate entrance but it is not used (although I have a sneaking suspicion that is what the footballers use when they stay here as I saw their bus outside again!). 

The Commons Gathering Room and Guest Kitchen were closed on my visit. 

Room

The room was just like a studio flat, with a queen bed, nice floor to ceiling windows and a kitchenette just as you come in the door.  The kitchen looked well appointed but only a small area to sit down and eat in the room and not in front of the TV - certainly not space for 2 people to sit and eat! 

The bathroom was a large shower, with large aminities (not ones you can take away) but they were pleasant enough. Hairdryer was of good quality and the towels were large and new.

The room was pretty well appointed all in all - however the bed was rock hard. This is a different bed to the only in the HR and if I stayed here again, I would pick HR for that reason alone. Plus I have no use for the kitchen!  

Service

Service at check in and out was friendly and quick however the service in the restaurant was a little slow.  Trying to catch the wiater's eye was tricky and the bar was not THAT busy.  Maybe I was just impatient as it was still a very pleasant experience all round.

Dining

I had dinner in the bar - the menu had changed slightly since my stay in the HR and I think the chef maybe had as well.  I didnt think the food was as good as the last tine I stayed - I had the same dish - the flatbreads and they were very different - more like a pizza base cut up than a flat bread!  The ceaser salad was fresh and fine but the cheese and biscuits was the biggest disappointment. They had no blue cheese so served a soft cheese (tasteless) and it was very expensive for what you got - certainly compared to the other dishes. I left a little disappointed in all honesty - yet the last time I stayed I had loved it - maybe I was just unlucky on the night?

Location

It is a little out of town - and right in the middle of the University campus. The one thing to note, the car park the hotel uses does not open until 6am which was never going to work for my 0625 flight!!!  I had to change my plan and get a slightly later flight.  It is a quick and easy 10 mins drive to the airport though and still a solid choice as an 'off airport' hotel if you have a car.

Overall

Overall I am glad I stayed in both hotels - I would always pick the HR over the HH in future unless there was a drastic difference in price, primarily because of the bed!  Otherwise I would recommend staying here.