Size isn’t everything, of course, but Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly’s boast that it has the biggest standard rooms in the city has merit.
Because they are impressively substantial.
The smallest slice of accommodation in the 338-room property is 28 sq m (301 sq ft) – big enough for a king-sized bed and a sofa bed, with lashings of elbow room.
The hotel even has a double-double option.
I check in to an Executive King on the top (eighth) floor and discover that the hotel could also quite reasonably crow about its views.
MailOnline Travel Editor Ted Thornhill checked in to an Executive King room (above) on the top floor of the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly
Ted writes: ‘My room is like the rest of the hotel – smart and comfortable, if a little thin on Instagram bait’
I gaze out of the panoramic wall-to-wall windows and behold a gobsmacking spectacle – trains bound for every compass point trundling in and out of Piccadilly railway station below and beyond the skyline, the majestic peaks of the Peak District National Park.
During my stay, I find myself lost in time on several occasions as I stand and gaze at the scene, elbows resting on the shelf that runs alongside the glass. A couple of stools added to the inventory and placed here would be worthwhile, for this spot is worth lingering in.
The rest of the room is like the rest of the hotel – smart and comfortable, if a little thin on Instagram bait.
Marriott spent £33million on refurbing the property – until April this year a Macdonald hotel – and in my quarters the budget has allowed for a luxurious king bed, bedside lampshades made from strands of cotton (a fleck of acknowledgement to Manchester’s industrial cotton industry heritage), a modish sofa bed, a 55in TV, a Nespresso machine, a modular wardrobe and a walk-in shower with ‘This Works’ toiletries. Though the allotted lolly didn’t stretch to installing a rainfall showerhead. It’s hose-only. Which didn’t feel very ‘executive’.
Above is the ‘gobsmacking spectacle’ Ted enjoys from his room, a view of ‘trains bound for every compass point trundling in and out of Piccadilly railway station’ and beyond ‘the majestic peaks of the Peak District National Park’
Swish: Mod cons in Ted’s room include a 55in TV and a Nespresso machine
The picture above shows the main bistro-style restaurant, where a variety of comfort food is served up
The chic bar on the lobby floor, with handcrafted cocktails among the potions on offer
On the first floor, behind textured-glass doors, is an enticing 24-hour lounge – accessible via a day pass and a free perk for eighth-floor executive room guests and Marriott Bonvoy members with status that’s platinum or higher.
Breakfast is served in the mornings here, with hot and cold options laid out.
On the occasion I try it, I enjoy the company of a cheerful and chatty member of staff who gamely distributes lattes and clears my table.
Between 5pm and 9pm complimentary canapes, wine and beer are deployed.
See? Enticing.
Marriott is an official partner of Manchester United – and has installed a club ‘Lobby Phone’ in the hotel. Pick up the receiver in the bold-red booth and you can listen to never-heard-before-stories about Manchester United from club legends, current players and loyal supporters
The 24-hour lounge – accessible via a day pass and a free perk for eighth-floor executive room guests and Marriott Bonvoy members with status that’s platinum or higher
The hotel’s spa, which features Elemis treatments and a thermal suite
The picture above shows the hotel lobby, before the Manchester United lobby phone was installed
Further dining and beverage options are presented at the chic hotel bar, the adjoining ‘Greatroom Lounge’, and the main bistro-style restaurant. Think comforting breakfast buffets, burgers, risottos and handcrafted cocktails.
Manchester United fan? You’re in good company here, because Marriott is an official partner of the club and has installed a Manchester United ‘Lobby Phone’.
Pick up the receiver in the bold-red booth and you can listen to never-heard-before-stories about Manchester United from club legends, current players and loyal supporters as they re-live some fan-favourite moments and exploits.
During my stay, tales programmed into the installation come from the likes of striker Marcus Rashford, former defender David May and current defender Harry Maguire.
The lobby phone is a good call. And so is staying in the hotel if you’re on a budget – rooms start from around just £79 a night – or you have a very early train to catch.
I’m booked on the 5.05am Avanti to London Euston from Piccadilly railway station, an hour best described as hellish. But I don’t need to walk out of the Marriott until 4.50am as the station is quite literally a two-minute walk away.
I still set my alarm a wee bit early, though – just to snatch a few extra minutes gazing at the magnificent vista.