Special feature: The Lowry Hotel, Manchester, UK

Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of staying at Manchester’s only 5-star hotel, The Lowry.    Branded as  one  of The Rocco Forte Collection, The Lowry Hotel is located on the banks of the River Irwell, in the Chapel Wharf area between Manchester city centre and Salford.   Being on the fringe of the city centre means that everything is within walking distance but it’s relatively tranquil at the same time. The hotel, with its glass-fronted facade,  has 165 rooms, 7 of which are suites. If you do arrive by car, as we did, you’ll appreciate the ability to be able to park right outside the front of the hotel – not a privilege that is  always available in city centre hotels.   Now you don’t need your car – you’re in easy walking distance of Deansgate  and its  wide array of cafés and restaurants, just across the bridge outside the hotel. Once inside, one of the first things that struck me, whether  it be the foyer or our room, was the feeling of space.   Our welcome was a friendly one and a receptionist kindly showed us to our room. Corridors are wide and  spacious, the large reception area is very open, and  our room was more akin to a suite than a standard room, yet this is the typical size of most of the hotel’s rooms. The room was minimalist  but modern with a super-comfy bed, chaise long, flat-screen interactive satellite  TV, CD player, high-speed internet access, climate control, private bar and personal safe.   A spacious en suite marble bathroom complete with a Lowry print on the wall, a vast walk-in wardrobe and views over the Chapel Wharf development completed the picture. The awarding-winning River Bar and Restaurant led by Executive Head Chef Eyck Zimmer  – holder of the National Chef of the Year title – was open for dining, cocktails and afternoon tea, and a  dedicated children’s dining menu is also available for those visiting with family in tow.   This is also where breakfast is served in the mornings.   Alternatively, you can choose to dine in your room – whatever the time of day. Next to the bar is  ample lounge space for those wishing to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink. Additional amenities include a day spa with multiple treatment rooms, sauna and relaxation rooms, and a gym. Those looking for a meeting venue will be pleasantly surprised by the Ballroom which caters for up to 400 people, a dedicated conference floor, and meeting rooms for anything from 2 to 90 people. On the morning of our departure, whilst having breakfast overlooking the river, we noticed a minor commotion at Calatrava’s landmark Trinity Bridge: a gathering of photographers and one very happy lottery winner for whom Christmas had come early. No doubt The Lowry can become a regular haunt for that lucky individual in the future, and he’d be hard-pushed to find many hotels in the area to match its standards.