There’s something very appealing about a hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And that’s exactly what I liked about Aloft by Marriott Manchester City Centre – a hotel that manages to look stylish and feel contemporary and distinctly cool, without the hefty price tag you might expect for a hotel in Manchester city centre.
With rooms starting from around £95 per night, Aloft offers an attractive alternative to luxury hotels in the heart of Manchester giving you a comfortable stay in beautiful surroundings while also leaving you with money left over to enjoy your city trip!
First off, the location is really is hard to beat. Sitting at 325 Deansgate, the hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the city and all that Manchester has to offer, with Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink practically on the doorstep and easy access to Deansgate, Spinningfields, Manchester Central and the city’s nightlife. It’s also a handy base for gig and football fans, with the AO Arena, Old Trafford and Co-op Live all within easy reach.
The Aloft Welcome
Part of the appeal of Aloft is its personality. The brand, part of the Marriott portfolio, has a youthful, design-led approach, and the Manchester hotel embraces that wholeheartedly. The rooms are affectionately known as ‘lofts’ – a cute, small detail, but one that sums up the playful character of the brand perfectly.
You love your Aloft welcome. The lobby is light, bright and friendly, with huge glass windows that make it a great spot for people-watching – especially if you’re waiting for friends. Green velvet seating adds a pop of colour, while a train-themed backdrop nods to Manchester’s industrial and transport heritage.
Elsewhere, sleek but seriously comfy sofas create a relaxed waiting area, with exposed pipes above the sweeping circular bar adding an industrial edge. Dusky pink tiles, high stools, green velvet booths and funky artwork keep things feeling contemporary rather than corporate. There’s even a pool table.
Basically, it’s the sort of hotel where you can happily hang around downstairs rather than feeling obliged to disappear into your room.
Industrial Chic, with a Manchester Twist
That industrial-meets-playful aesthetic continues upstairs, although the bedrooms are noticeably calmer. My Superior King room was spacious and had a really lovely, comfortable bed, a well-positioned flat-screen TV and floor-to-ceiling windows offering fantastic views across Manchester.
The interiors feel very ‘Manchester’ to me – dark brown tiling, warm leather and burnt-orange accents are balanced with light grey walls and flooring, while bright, playful artwork stops the room from becoming too masculine or sombre.
Making great use of the space available, there’s also an open hanging wardrobe, a coffee-making station and plenty of space to actually spread out, while the bathroom comes with double vanity sinks – always a win when you’re getting ready for a night out.
It’s a room that feels thoughtfully designed rather than simply functional, and that’s something I really appreciated.
Food, Drinks and Downtime
During my stay, Aloft’s food and beverage offering was under review as the new hotel settled in, so I wasn’t able to experience the full dining concept. The hotel’s current offering includes breakfast and a sociable round bar alongside grab-and-go options in the lobby.
While cocktails weren’t available, there was a good selection of beers, wines and spirits, as well as a Lavazza coffee machine. Breakfast is served in those gorgeous green booths, making it a rather more stylish start to the morning than your average hotel breakfast room and there’s plenty of choice from the help-yourself style buffet.
While I didn’t use it, it’s also worth mentioning that there’s a 24/7 fitness zone, so if you happen to be staying in the hotel for work, or on a longer leisurely trip, the facilities are there should you require them!
Luxe for Less
Ultimately, Aloft Manchester feels like a hotel designed for people who want a bit more from a city-centre stay. It’s super stylish and comfy, far from conventional and attractive to the younger traveller.
From £95 a night, you get a smart, spacious room in one of Manchester’s most convenient locations, plenty of personality and those all-important little touches that make a hotel feel fun rather than functional.
Whether you’re visiting for shopping, a gig, a football match, a night out or simply a weekend exploring Manchester, Aloft by Marriott Manchester City Centre is a very cool place to base yourself – and one that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to stay somewhere that feels luxurious. Book your stay here.