Head for Principal

Susan Griffin visits The Principal Manchester, which has recently undergone a multi-million pound renovation.

Walk into The Principal Manchester, an imposing hotel with a conspicuous clock tower, and you’re instantly reminded of the grand wizarding bank in the Harry Potter films, given the vast space and ornate pillars.

Formerly known as The Palace Hotel, the listed Gothic Revival building, which was originally designed by the architect behind London’s Natural History Museum, has undergone a £25m renovation. Great attention has been paid to retaining the hotel’s original features, such as the marble and bronze Directors’ staircase, but with new additions, such as a specially- commissioned horse sculpture, which stands proudly beneath the lobby’s stainedglass cupola.

There are 270 rooms and suites at the hotel spread out via labyrinth-like corridors and grand stairwells bathed in the winter sun that streams through stained-glass windows. Dark wood panelling and trunk-like furniture gives the rooms a traditional feel, while the dove grey curtains that stretch towards the high ceiling and a scarlet red phone provide pops of colour. The white-tiled bathroom (complete with welcoming rain shower) and tuck box adds a lovely touch.

The Refuge by Volta generated a lot of excitement when it opened and has become one of the city’s newest destination bars and dining rooms.

Created in partnership with DJs-turnedrestaurateurs Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford, they’ve managed to make a cavernous 10,000 sq ft space feel cosy and warm with intimate booths, low-lighting