Comfortable, quiet, and contemporary, City Suites II has everything you need for a family stay in Manchester
As an ardent music lover, I’ve been looking for an excuse to go to Manchester for ages. From the Northern Soul revellers of the 60s to the acid-house ravers of the ‘Madchester’ 90s, the propulsive beat of the city has always been infectious, pumping out of nightclubs and reverberating across UK dancefloors from Glasgow to London. Then there are the bands, of which there are too many to mention (literally, I’m not even going to try). Even if you prefer the velvet seats of Wigmore Hall to the sticky floors of The Hacienda, you will have felt the influence of the Manchester scene in the fashion, the culture, the movement of the nation’s history. And – and and and - if that’s not enough for you, trains were also invented there, which I suppose is quite cool (or at least, my slightly locomotive-obsessed companion thought so).
So when City Suites got in touch to ask if I’d like to stay at their newest venture, City Suites II, I was happy to oblige. Standing on the edge of the River Tib, opposite the Manchester Cathedral, the apartment-style hotel (or ‘aparthotel’) is a glimmering black tower block that rises high above many of the surrounding buildings, so that on the upper floors you get far-reaching views of the skyline. Located within easy reach of the centre and all its major transport hubs, the hotel is a perfect base for getting to know the city.
Opening in 2021, City Suites II is the twin sister of City Suites I, which was built just a few years earlier. The two hotels stand next to each other, separated by a sequestered courtyard which contains their shared restaurant, Embankment Kitchen, as well as an in-house café where you can grab sandwiches and drinks in the afternoon. Both hotels offer a similar calibre of rooms, service, and amenities, though City Suites II has the added benefit of a brand-new steam room. I solidly recommend trying this out, followed by a refreshing dip in the hotel’s impressive 18-metre swimming pool and jacuzzi. As a person whose main form of exercise is running for buses, I can’t speak for the gym, although I did learn that it is open 24 hours and by all accounts is absolutely up to the minute in terms of equipment.
The major benefit of an aparthotel, as the name suggests, is that it gives you the privacy and control of a rented apartment with the service and facilities of a hotel. Though there is always a member of staff on hand at City Suites should you need them (the reception desk, for instance, is 24-hour, in a brightly lit lobby that also contains a seating area in shades of teal and tangerine), they aim to provide a sense of having your own place in town. My suite, for instance, came with two separate well-sized bedrooms, an ample living room, and a fully fitted kitchen with dining area, all decorated in chic minimal grey. This is in keeping with the general style of the hotel, which is geometric, streamlined, inoffensively contemporary. My living quarters were spotlessly clean, with appliances so pristine that I would’ve believed that the packaging plastic had only been peeled off that morning. Though the bustling city could be seen through the near floor-to-ceiling windows, once the door was closed the apartment was blissfully quiet.
The peaceful self-containment of City Suites makes them popular with business travellers, but also, increasingly, families, particularly those with young children. I can see why – since they offer suites with up to three separate bedrooms, parents can get their children to bed on time without inflicting an early night on themselves, while the large flat screen television and comfortable sofas are perfect for spending an evening in after exploring the city. The living quarters offer plenty of space to play, and the kitchen is perfect for little ones with tricky appetites.
Lucas Smith
That said, if you do want to dine out, I suggest you try Embankment Kitchen, especially for breakfast – the ‘Turkish eggs’, poached eggs in herby whipped yoghurt with chilli oil and onions, as well as the brioche French toast, which comes with sausages, honey, and garlic mayonnaise, were both delicious. Dinner is good too. In the evening the restaurant’s atmosphere is laid-back cool, with low lighting and softly pulsing music complimenting plush sea green booths and warm gold accents. The staff are courteous and attentive, and they really know how to do a roast.
All in all, if you’re planning a visit to Manchester and are looking for a place that is well-located, private, and can fit a large family or group, City Suites II is an ideal spot. For the amount of space and the quality of amenities that you get, it’s definitely worth the price.
