Over the Easter weekend, the boy and I were invited to visit The Lowry Hotel, Manchester. As an anniversary treat, we experienced a luxurious overnight stay complete with breakfast at Manchester’s first five star hotel. Part of Rocco Forte’s elite hotels, this award winning hotel offers a spa, restaurant and bar. Plenty to keep us busy!
Naturally, before our stay we read the reviews tripadvisor had to offer. All glowing. Crediting The Lowry as outstanding with attentive staff, we certainly found this to be true. Ever the romantics, we arrived early, eager to make the most of our anniversary in our favourite English city. Following a hassle free check in, we opened the door to a superior deluxe king room, a spacious room complete with a beautiful riverside view of the iconic Trinity Bridge by Santiago Calatrava.
We found our room to be bright, spacious and inviting with contemporary artwork and splashes of bright orange adding a modern touch. Complete with a super king size bed, satellite television and docking station, we settled into our room with a view. Making full use of the tea and coffee facilities, over a cup of coffee (sans biscuits) we tried to decide where we’d spend the evening. You see, The Lowry offers The River Bar and Grill. Here, you can experience afternoon tea or a cocktail on the outdoor terrace. You can also enjoy British cuisine made up of the finest ingredients in the grill restaurant.
We decided to dine in the restaurant where we’d had our first date, Akbars. With Sky Sports News one of the many television channels, naturally the boy settled in for the wait whilst I pampered and preened in the bathroom.
The contemporary and spacious theme continued in the bathroom. A quick blast in the power shower and fleeting few minutes in a dressing gown, I was ready quicker than John expected. He looked crestfallen at my new found speed. It seemed he was right at home on the super king size bed tracking Burnley Football Club’s latest score. As it was Easter Sunday, we’d decided to eat earlier to beat the crowds. Suited and booted, we slipped into a taxi and headed to Castlefield.
As we’d eaten early, we’d also finished early. With stomachs bursting with Indian food, we couldn’t stomach sitting in the local pub, so we decided to make the most of the hotel room. Not like that, I know what you were thinking. Opening a bottle of bubbly, we snuggled up in bed and chose a movie. I’ve wanted to see Gravity for some time and sat in the dark room, it was the perfect way to relax.
It’s the smallest of details that impress me; a range of glass types in the mini bar, toiletries which include conditioner (not just shampoo or that awful hybrid of 2 in 1), fresh semi-skimmed milk refrigerated (not stacked in minuscule cartons), coffee in abundance (with willing staff who will bring extra sachets with a smile). Detail.
During our stay, we didn’t ask the staff for anything other than fresh milk and coffee. However, they offered us complimentary bottled water, turn down service and newspapers for the morning. They were polite, attentive and thoughtful, but never overbearing.
In the morning, John was up at the ungodly hour of 7am. I couldn’t even entertain getting up at that time, so whilst he went to seek out street art in Manchester’s Ancoats I snoozed blissfully and starfished to my heart’s content. When he returned, we sipped more coffee whilst looking over the Manchester skyline before venturing downstairs for breakfast.
Breakfast is hosted in the stylish River Bar & Grill restaurant. Again, we found the attention to detail ever-present. We were guided to our booth and napkins were placed on our laps. Sipping fruit juice and deliberating over the many breakfast options, we listened in as a nearby well-known newsreader animatedly chatted to the waitress. We chose to indulge in a full English breakfast, despite my plan to devour maple syrup pancakes. Breakfast was large (just as I like it), freshly cooked and complete with ‘proper sausages’ as the boy, a sausage snob, declared.
With breakfast priced at £19.95, this clearly isn’t a budget hotel. But, a hotel with a touch of class worth indulging in. If you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, in the heart of Manchester, then The Lowry Hotel is the perfect choice. Whilst we have stayed in nearby hotels with a similar price, the friendly, attentive but not overbearing service is just one of the many reasons we’d return. Most of all, it’s the attention to detail that makes The Lowry heads above the rest. Surely, it’s a sign of a good hotel when the only point for improvement I can raise is providing biscuits with the tea and coffee making facilities.
The Lowry offers reasonable packages to suit every budget, whether it’s afternoon tea or spa treats! We were treated like VIPs and will definitely be returning for special occasions. We cannot thank the team enough for making our stay one to remember!
*Post produced in collaboration with The Lowry Hotel*