Hotel of the week Kimpton Clocktower Manchester

WHAT AND WHERE: The towering red-brick silhouette of Kimpton Clocktower is a true city landmark. This magnificent Grade Ii-listed building was once the headquarters of a Victorian insurance company, but the vast, shiny lobby with its domed glass ceiling feels more like stepping into a golden-age museum. While you’re checking in, make sure you take a snap with the hotel’s “mascot”, a towering bronze sculpture of a horse.

The lobby sets the scene for the hotel, which is essentially two vast Victorian buildings. Our room was in Kimpton Clocktower’s northern “wing”, and I’d skip the lift at least once to take in the grand staircase.

Our room was equally impressive, with high ceilings, double-height windows, cool artwork, beautiful bathroom, stylish grey and emerald furnishings, and a host of gleaming “industrial chic” decor touches. We were booked into a “Double Double”, with two incredibly comfortable double beds side by side - a dream for anyone who loves to stretch out.

ON THE MENU:

Breakfast and dinner are both served in The Refuge Dining Room, a spectacular space with arched pillars, a mirrored cocktail bar, and a retro tile mural celebrating Manchester’s industrial past.

Breakfast is a mix of buffet and a la carte, while the evening menu is an eclectic global affair based around small sharing plates. Highlights included gochujang-glazed pork belly (£7), chicken thigh with chorizo, apricots and mint (£10.50), and zhug-spiced burrata with black olive and sundried tomato (£9). Our evening finale was a dead heat between winter berry baked cheesecake (£6) and sticky toffee pudding with coconut caramel (£6.50).

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: The hotel is an easy walk away from Manchester’s main shopping district. If you’re a football fan you could hop on a tram and take a tour of either Old Trafford (Man United) or the Etihad (City). Neutrals should probably just go to the National Football Museum instead with memorabilia as well as interactive challenges such as the Penalty Shootout experience. For those looking for culture, Manchester has a number of theatres and music venues including The Palace, The Royal Exchange and Bridgewater Hall, or you might fancy a tour of Coronation Street’s famous cobbles.

WAKE-UP CALL: Kimpton Clocktower’s “Double Double” (two double beds) starts from £149 a night room-only.

kimptonclocktowerhotel.com