Earlier this year I stayed for a couple of nights at the GMEX2 Premier Lodge in Manchester. It was recommended to me primarily on account of its location, being within easy walking distance of the centre of Manchester in general, and the town hall in particular, where I would be attending a function. It was modestly priced which was important and it seemed to offer good value for money.
I made the booking via the PremierLodge on-line booking service which I found to be extremely straightforward and helpful. It was possible to view the hotel online and I notice that it’s now also possible to take an online QuickTime tour round a typical room which certainly resembles the one I stayed in.
What you see is what I got: very large bed, minimal other furniture, TV, telephone, ensuite bathroom, all maintained to a high standard of cleanliness.
Now I doubt if anyone would nominate the building for an architecture award, and I have yet to find anyone who would describe the rooms as having any character. For frills and features are there none. But if your needs are basic, and you intend to spend most of your time away from your room, then it’s got all that you are likely to want for a comfortable rest. It’s very well located not just for the exhibition hall that has given it its ugly name of GMEX2 but for shopping or sightseeing in the centre of Manchester.
Arriving after a journey of about 150 miles, I was delighted to be able to park the car within a few yards of the hotel entrance in a car park that was free for residents, and I was pleased to find that the reception staff were expecting me. They told me without prompting that one of the other people for whom I had made a booking had already arrived. I could go immediately to my room even though it was not long after mid-day and the promised tea and coffee making facilities were very promptly put to use. Thus revived it was not long before I was out exploring Manchester.
The Premier Lodge had an integral fully licensed bar and restaurant, and on the first evening I chose to eat in. The bar area had the atmosphere of a lively public house and was very crowded. It was good for meeting up with others but too loud for easy conversation. The restaurant area was quieter but the menu was not particularly memorable. I think most of our party either had steak or chicken with minor variations as a main course. What did mar our enjoyment slightly was the slowness of the service. They appeared to be very understaffed for the service they were trying to provide and it was hard for them to serve a large table of diners simultaneously even though we had given advance notice that we would be eating there. One of our party did not get his main course until the rest of us had finished eating. The thinly stretched staffing was also apparent when I later tried to ring reception from my room and was unable to get a reply.
Breakfast was altogether very much more satisfactory. With a choice of Continental (at £4.25) or Traditional (at £6.25), a lot was laid out for self-service, and service where required was relatively fast. It was thus possible to make the most of our time in Manchester and for those that chose otherwise to linger longer over breakfast.
The staff were helpful in arranging taxis for those of us that needed them during the day. Fortunately reception was also staffed when we returned late from a function on the second evening, as I discovered that my card key no longer operated my room door. The problem was speedily resolved when I returned to reception but it was a minor inconvenience. They told me that it was a security precaution as I had been away from my room for a long time. As I was more concerned about my personal security getting to my room late at night than with the security of my possessions in the room, this didn’t make a lot of sense to me.
At the end of my stay, settling the bill proved as straightforward as the initial booking had been. I felt well-rested to commence my journey home. It had proved itself to be fit for purpose.
Additional information: The GMEX2 Premier Lodge is located at: Gaythorne, River St., Manchester M15 5FJ. Tel: 0870 990 6504
Not exactly "premier" - the restaurant seems to be particularly poor. For fifty pounds, you might as well stay at a Travelodge - you would probably get the same quality of service. x
SueMagee 09.04.2003 08:51
My husband sometimes has to stay over in Manchester - this could be the sort of place that would suit him.
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Advantages: Near the venue we were travelling to, comfortable bed Disadvantages: People entering the room without permission and opening the window, not told about building works
mental_infestation 28.10.2005 (28.10.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Premier Lodge, GMEX 2
Advantages: Can represent good value for money, once you have used one you get a good idea of what to expect Disadvantages: Sometimes better deals can be found elsewhere
sue.51 08.06.2003 (08.06.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Premier Lodge, GMEX 2
Advantages: Can represent good value for money, once you have used one you get a good idea of what to expect Disadvantages: Sometimes better deals can be found elsewhere
sue.51 08.06.2003 (08.06.2003)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Premier Lodge, GMEX 2
Advantages: Near the venue we were travelling to, comfortable bed Disadvantages: People entering the room without permission and opening the window, not told about building works
mental_infestation 28.10.2005 (28.10.2005)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Premier Lodge, GMEX 2
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