Hyatt Manchester

WHERE AND WHY

It is hard to imagine a better view of Manchester’s modern, glinting skyline – set against the brooding Pennine Hills – than from the 19-storey Hyatt. Two minutes off Oxford Road towards the south side of the city centre, the soaring hotel is a stroll away from bars, venues, shops and railway stations.

The “two hotels under one roof” concept is a first for the North. The 116-apartment Hyatt House, with chic kitchenettes and stylish living or working spaces, spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, snuggles up with its traditional 212-room Hyatt Regency sister brand.

This new breed of “aparthotels” are designed for longer stays, business or family trips. Our top-floor studio apartment was fresh, comfy and stylish.

The everything-youneed kitchen opened into a living space with sprawling sofas, a big TV and desk space. Cook for yourself, order room service or go gourmet. It felt like a home from home, with the addition of that unobstructed view through floor-toceiling windows.

ON THE MENU

The bar and restaurant area exuded calmness and elegance. Light and airy, The Laureate served up modern British a la carte dishes.

For starters, a mezze of bruschetta and pumpkin spinach bakes (£12.50), home cured Scottish salmon, orange and fennel, beetroot tartar (£12), and two memorable mains – Lancashire hotpot with fall-apart braised lamb shoulder (£28), and 8oz sirloin steak (£35) with mushrooms and peppercorn sauce. Top class and beautifully presented.

For dessert, it had to be classic Manchester tart with custard and raspberries (£7.50), pipping the mango and rosewater rice pudding (£7) or tangy Italian Gelato (£2.50 a scoop).

The Graduate Bar & Atrium offers mixology masterpiece cocktails, fine wines and quality beers in an uber-cool, colourful setting. All-day dining includes burgers (from £16), pizzas (from £14) and chicken Caesar salad (£15).

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

If you don’t fancy a workout in the hotel’s 24/7 fitness centre, around the corner is The Salutation, “The Sally”, real ale pub, with original 1840s decor. It is where Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre while lodging, a blue plaque told us. The AO Arena and Palace Theatre are a short wander away, along with trendy Spinningfields, whirling with bars.

WAKE-UP CALL

Hyatt Regency Hotel rooms from £120, Hyatt House apartments from £150. hyatt.com