The Manchester Deansgate Hotel by IHG

The hotel stands out for its stunning panoramic views of the city, particularly from its higher floors and the popular Cloud 23 bar, making it a memorable choice for guests. The consistently friendly and attentive staff receive high praise, contributing significantly to a positive experience. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional quality and variety of the breakfast buffet, often described as one of the best. The executive lounge is another key feature, offering impressive views, a good selection of food and drinks, and dedicated service, enhancing the stay for those with access. Its central location is ideal for sightseers, business travelers, couples, and families looking to explore the city's shopping, nightlife, and attractions. For an enhanced experience, guests are advised to request a room on a higher floor to fully appreciate the vistas and to consider executive lounge access for added benefits.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities, though feedback is mixed. The executive lounge is highly valued for its views, complimentary food, and a wide selection of drinks, often described as a significant perk. Guests can also utilize a fitness center, a heated pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a steam room, providing options for relaxation and exercise. However, some guests found the pool area to be small, prone to crowding, and occasionally noisy, with some reporting issues regarding pool staff flexibility. While free Wi-Fi is available, a common complaint is the absence of smart TVs in rooms, limiting entertainment options. Additionally, guests frequently experience long waits for lifts due to one often being out of service, and a lack of sufficient power sockets near beds is noted as an inconvenience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort and cleanliness is varied. Many guests appreciate the spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and powerful showers, with some rooms offering stunning city views. However, a significant number of reviews describe rooms as dated or tired, with visible stains on carpets and furniture, and some reporting a persistent damp smell. Issues with heating and air conditioning not functioning effectively, leading to rooms being too cold or humid, are also common. While some rooms are noted as quiet, others experience considerable noise levels from interconnecting doors, parties, or external sources. Complaints also include squeaky beds, cracked tiles in bathrooms, and a lack of expected toiletries, robes, or slippers, which detract from the overall comfort.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's buffet breakfast consistently receives high praise, with guests describing it as "amazing" and "exceptional." It offers a wide variety of options, including cooked breakfast items, pastries, cereals, juices, and specialty breads like sourdough, all frequently replenished and of high quality. The Podium restaurant and bar menu are generally well-regarded for their delicious offerings and attentive service. The Cloud 23 bar is a popular spot for its cocktails and impressive views, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere. However, some guests noted that cooked breakfast items could be warmer, and occasional issues with food running out later in the morning were reported. Room service receives mixed reviews, with some experiencing slow delivery, unresponsiveness, or incorrect orders, and a limited menu at certain times.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, making it highly convenient for guests. It is within walking distance to attractions such as shopping areas, nightlife, and the Museum of Illusion, and offers easy access to public transport, including the Deansgate train station and nearby tram stops. This prime position allows guests to explore the city with ease. However, parking is a recurring concern, with the adjacent NCP car park being described as expensive, and some guests reporting issues with the hotel's discount codes not working as expected. Furthermore, ongoing road works and construction in the vicinity can occasionally impact views and accessibility, and external noise from sirens or city activity is sometimes noted, even on higher floors.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff are widely commended for their friendly, helpful, and professional demeanor, significantly enhancing the guest experience. Many reviews highlight the attentive service provided by concierge and executive lounge staff, who are praised for their welcoming approach and willingness to assist with various requests, including early check-in, late check-out, and luggage storage. The quick check-in process is frequently mentioned as efficient. However, some guests report mixed experiences with reception staff, describing them as occasionally unhelpful or slow, particularly during peak times. There are also instances of unaddressed room issues, such as heating or cleanliness, and some guests found room service to be unresponsive or inefficient, leading to frustration.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the hotel's deposit policy, which typically requires a £50 per night hold, with refunds taking several business days to process, a point of contention for some. A common complaint is the lack of smart TVs in rooms, limiting streaming options. While bottled water is not consistently provided in rooms, it is often available upon request. The hotel frequently experiences issues with lift availability, with one or more often out of service, leading to significant wait times, and guests are unable to use internal stairs. There have been multiple instances of false fire alarms, causing unexpected evacuations. Additionally, some rooms with interconnecting doors can lead to considerable noise transfer from neighboring guests.