Last updated: March 08, 2024
If you like your city stays to be smack bang central with plenty of space and all the modern home comforts you could want with none of the clutter, CitySuites II Aparthotel is the perfect choice.
While this swanky and stylish aparthotel has been open since 2021, it’s surprisingly new looking with immaculate lifts, walls, and communal hang out areas. CitySuites I and II also come with a tranquil pool area and jacuzzi, as well as fully equipped gym which is open 24/7.
After checking in at reception like you would any normal hotel, I make my way up my aparthotel on the 10th floor – an ‘aparthotel’, incase you’re not quite sure, is like your very own apartment, so basically a hotel room which comes with a fully equipped top of the range Zanussi fitted kitchen, large dining table and chairs, sitting area and sofas, SKY TV…. The CitySuite we’re staying in is a two bed and wow, the amount of space you get is brilliant.
The interiors are also really smart. Slick and sexy, there’s a black and grey colour scheme throughout with a flash of pink and blue pastel in the shared areas. The apartments themselves are also mostly grey – a warm, cosy and calming vibe, and you can make each room as cosy or as cool as you want as there’s an air con system in each. Unlike most hotel rooms which have an air con system which is impossible to operate, this one only has a plus and a minus making it super easy to change the heat up or down when you need.
After unpacking our things (there’s plenty of storage space in the floor-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes), we headed down to the pool for a relaxing swim. Perfect for those who want to get in their lengths (it’s a really long pool at 18 metres), we worked up an appetite for dinner, relaxed in the heat of the jacuzzi and then headed back up to the room to get ready for a night on the town in Manchester!
Manchester was my home city for three years, but I had no idea that there was such a gorgeous restaurant just round the corner from Victoria Station! Part of the CitySuites Aparthotel complex, Embankment Kitchen is absolutely beautifully styled! Plush pastel pink cosy chairs, floor lanterns with lit candles, an incredible statement bar area, separate high stools and tables and cosy banquette window seating. Offering British cuisine mixed with Italian and French influences, Embankment Kitchen is an absolute hidden gem and if you’re not staying at CitySuites, you absolutely must visit anyway – for an after work drink this place is perfect! They have a great drinks selection and a banging cocktail list but the feel is very ‘wine bar!’
Located in CitySuites I (just round the corner from CitySuites I), and open from 7am – 11pm, it’s also the perfect spot for breakfast, while Embankment Café (also part of the complex) is a relaxed, understated but totally stylish spot to enjoy a coffee. As a CitySuite guest, you actually get 15% off here which is even better!
With a selection of seasonally-focused sharer style plates, we enjoyed a really lovely meal. I was especially taken with the shredded lamb mini flat breads which were like the fancier, healthy version of a kebab you’d get at the end of the night. The lobster and king prawn linguine had plenty of seafood in it and a good hit of garlic. Embankment Kitchen also does a great range of grilled steaks, burgers, and classics like brisket and ale pie and beer battered haddock and chips, as well as a decent wine list with a good selection.
With super fast wifi, an incredibly comfortable space to hang out in when you’re not exploring the delights of Manchester city centre (Harvey Nics and the big stores and shops are about a two minute walk away so it’s ideal for shopping), plus the convenience of having an on-site 24 hour gym, pool, steam room, bar and restaurant, there’s something about the independence of CitySuites which adds to its appeal.
We loved our stay at CitySuites II Aparthotel and I really can’t recommend enough! With aparthotels starting at just £120, book here and enjoy an incredible stay in the fabulous city of Manchester! (CitySuites are powered 100% by renewable energy and have achieved carbon-neutral status since opening, while they also donate to community projects).
