Sheesh - seems like ages since I've been here. So many changes, business up and running - bred my f...
Sheesh - seems like ages since I've been here. So many changes, business up and running - bred my first litter of labs - moved house - guess I had better work on catching up now!
Member since:20.03.2001
Reviews:275
Members who trust:170
The Britannia Hotel (actual name) is one of five from the Britannia Chain in the Manchester area, and one of two in the City Centre, the chain appears to be expanding all the time.
Most of the company's hotels are in the North and Midlands, although they do have venues in Brighton, Gatwick and London.
THE BRITANNIA It is located in Portland Street opposite Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel, and walking distance from G-Mex, the Arndale Centre, Granada TV studios and Piccadilly Square (where all the trams meet) and has 363 bedrooms, including, singles, doubles and family suites.
There are a number of good bars (including Yates and Wetherspoons) and restaurants (chose from Indian, Chinese, Thai and Italian) within a few minutes walk.
The
hotel has a couple of restaurants including Bar-Roque which offers meals starting from £5 for a main course and a Pizzeria, a few bars and a disco, and is lit up rather brightly at night, more reminiscent of what I would expect Blackpool to look like, rather than a hotel in the centre of Manchester. The bars and restaurants at the hotel do seem to vary their opening hours very sporadically, so don't be surprised if any or all of them are shut during a visit. The main bar near reception has a wide variety of whiskies, but does not sell Jack Daniels, much to the amazement of some fellow visitors. Draught Lagers on offer are Fosters and Kronenbourg.
The entrance hall is very grand with large stairways and chandaliers almost the size of my living room, it is painted in blue and gold, and has a rather 'indian' restaurant type feel to it throughout.
THE ROOMS I am now coming to the conclusion that in most cases, you've seen one hotel room, you've seen them all.
EXECUTIVE DOUBLE ROOM En-suite (bath & power shower. toilet, sink & lots of freebies and towels), with high windows, (not a lot of real light), a desk area, lots of lamps, a settee, telephone, hairdryer, colour TV (including Sky News), trouser press (well hidden in the wardrobe). Complimentary newspapers are provided, but don't expect them delivered outside your door. The temperatures were very high both in the rooms and throughout the hotel, and I was advised by the receptionist that this is quite usual.
BUDGET ROOM If you have the misfortune to stay on the 5th floor of this hotel (budget single/double rooms), you do not get a window, you get a skylight in an alcove (I didn't believe this until I saw it last night), so no natural air or light, although I guess if you are travelling on business you are only going to sleep there. Also the TV reception up there is chronic. You also don't get a settee, you get a rocking chair. (This room was cold)
The hotel doesn't provide irons in the rooms, but does have an ironing room situated on the 3rd floor.
BREAKFAST Self-service basis, including fruit juice, fresh fruits in juices, croissants and cereals.
The Rack rate for double room is £93, but best bet is to book over the internet which should offer the best rates, but if you are attending a conference here it may be worth checking with the hotel to see if a special rate has been negotiated. It might also be worth checking wotif.com for longer stays.
PRICE I paid £62 for B&B in an executive double room B&B for a Sunday night and £50 for a budget double room B&B on a Wednesday night. (There are many other hotels in this area offering similar prices even mid-week, providing Man U are not playing at Old Trafford).
ACCOUNTS The company does operate company accounts on a credit basis, but you have to spend a set amount within their chain before they will provide this service (I don't know what the rate is yet as no-one followed up my enquiry).PAYMENT Payment can be made through cash or credit card, but if using the latter, be prepared to sign for pre-authorisation (something I have never encountered before on my travels).
Corporate credit cards cannot be used without pre-authorisation through their pre-set system, or otherwise must have the signatory present.
PARKING There is no parking available at the hotel, and thus you must use the NCP car-parks located close by, the hotel do not negotiate any special rates, and it cost us £14.50 for 24 hours. You will find however staying in this area, that with the exception of the Jarvis Picadilly which has limited parking, that most of the hotels have no parking.
LEISURE FACILITIES There are no facilities available at this hotel, although guests may use the facilities at the Britannia Sachas hotel a short walk away, although unlike most other major chains, these facilities are not complementary to paying guests.
A WORD OF ADVICE: The hotel does offer very good standby rates if you just turn up, but don't try this when United are playing at home, or there is some big event in the areas as you will not get a room, in fact, from talking to the receptionists, you will be lucky to get a room anywhere in the Manchester area unless you are sensible to book beforehand.
SUMMARY A nice hotel in a convenient location, although nothing out of the ordinary.
CONTACT DETAILS The Britannia Hotel Portland Street Manchester M1 3LA Tel : 0161 228 2288 Fax : 0161 236 9154
Hi sue
thanks you for a very useful informative op about different places you can go whilst in Manchester. now sue, you have got my grey cells smiling and dreaming and wondering...
ciao. Avril
timmyotoole 09.08.2001 23:21
A wonderfully comprehensive opinion, as per usual. Cheers, Timmy.
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
very helpful by (100%):
