Hotel of the week

WHERE AND WHY This quirky, vibrant, 261-room hotel sits right at the heart of the city, on the corner of Deansgate, just a 15-minute walk from Piccadilly station.

“Life’s too short to be boring” seems to be the Qbic motto, and judging by a quote emblazoned on the wall in neon from local lad Liam Gallagher, the hotel aims to live up to it to the full. Throughout the hotel are bold and beautiful homages to Mancunian greats such as Alan Turing, Emmeline Pankhurst and the pioneering if contradictory vegetarian Reverend William Cowherd.

Qbic’s green credentials are second to none, from the recycled denim mattresses (so much comfier than they sound!) and eye-catching desks made of reclaimed scaffolding to the water-efficient yet powerful rainfall shower in the sustainable bathroom ‘pod’ and cruelty-free Faith in Nature amenities.

We stayed in a rather plush and spacious ‘Fancy’ suite with a huge flat-screen TV. Through the floorto-ceiling window we could gaze down on lively Deansgate strip.

COVID CHECK-IN

Qbic prides itself on being highly techsavvy. Guests can self check-in from a bank of flat screens, with staff on hand should you need assistance creating your own bamboo room keys. And while you won’t find landline phones in the rooms, reception are very quick to respond if you contact them via WhatsApp on the free high-speed wi-fi.

ON THE MENU In hotel restaurant Motley, service is very friendly and helpful. From a menu that features seasonal, ingredient-led dishes, we can recommend the spicy Koreanfried cauliflower (£4.75) and the beerbattered cod, chips and mushy peas (£11.95). Motley is also a place to kick off your evening with a cocktail - try the Coco Pops espresso Martini. And you can’t leave Manchester without fuelling up on Qbic’s Breakfast Buffet of Champions (£15).

WHILE YOU’RE THERE If you fancy a singalong, you can book a session in the hotel’s own karaoke room. But the banging music venues that forged Manchester’s rock ’n’ roll reputation aren’t far away. Spinningfields’ designer shops, restaurants and bars are also near by. For culture vultures, you’re only a stone’s throw away from ornate libraries and impressive galleries such as the Manchester Art Gallery, where we enjoyed a Grayson Perry exhibition.

WAKE-UP CALL Doubles start at £58 a night. qbichotels.com/manchester