Felicity Long
Manchester, in the northwest of England, is having a moment. The city, which welcomed more than 4 million visitors last year and is already looking to surpass those numbers this year, is ramping up its infrastructure with a host of hotel openings.
Maldron Chapel Street, a four-star, 188-room hotel near Manchester Cathedral, is poised to open this summer. The brand's second property in the city, the 17-story hotel is located in the expanding Chapel Street area near the Arndale shopping center. Amenities will include a restaurant.
Mollie's, a brand that describes itself as a hotel and diner concept, is opening its third property in England, at a former TV studio this summer.
Located in the Old Granada TV studios, a 100,000-square-foot, 1950s building, Mollie's Manchester will offer 130 guestrooms and a diner-style restaurant.
The top three floors of the building will be shared with Soho House and will offer a club, swimming pool and private spaces.
The Treehouse Manchester, the second England location for the quirky hotel brand, is expected to open this summer.
The 14-story, 224 guestroom Treehouse Manchester will benefit from a $250-plus million redevelopment of a former hotel on Deansgate, in Manchester City Center.
The second location for the London brand, the property will feature nature-inspired interiors, a rooftop restaurant and a ground floor zero-waste eatery.
Station Agent's House, a historic property at a former passenger railroad station, will open in mid-2024.
The transformation from a Grade I listed station agent's house at the Science and Industry Museum into a hotel is the result of a partnership between the museum and The Landmark Trust.
The Georgian building, which dates to 1808, will provide accessible accommodation for up to eight people.
Meanwhile, the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, will reopen this spring after a $42 million refurbishment.
The 338-room property will retain the curved glass facade of the former Macdonald Manchester Hotel next to Manchester Piccadilly train station and will feature a restaurant and bar, 11 meetings rooms, a 24/7 MClub lounge, a gym and a spa.
Finally, the recently opened Malmaison Deansgate, the brand's second property in Manchester, offers rooftop bar views.
Located opposite the Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall, the 70-room property features a '60s and '70s design vibe, and amenities include the Malmaison Bar & Grill.
Also new is the Visit Manchester Pass, the city's first tourist pass, which was launched in December.
Offering one,-, two- and three-day options, the pass includes admission to attractions such as Manchester City stadium, RHS Garden Bridgewater and East Lancashire Railway.