Malmaison Manchester is one of the most stylish hotels in Manchester city centre. If you want to enjoy a beautiful hotel and divine dishes in a buzzing city, Malmaison Manchester and Chez Mal Basserie is the perfect choice.
Transformed from an elegant 19th century warehouse, the first thing notice about Malmasion Manchester is that it oozes class inside and out. Well, perhaps that is not the first thing, as the absolute joy of being located right across the road from Manchester Piccadilly cannot be understated. It’s a simple yet welcome luxury to be able to hop off your train and be a stone’s throw from your hotel, especially when you are right in the heart of the hustle and buzz of the city centre.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the gorgeous façade opens in to a welcoming and sophisticated lobby (the chic black and white chequered floor giving glam vibes right from the outset), with the Chez Mal restaurant immediately visible to your left as you enter. Even in the early parts of the afternoon, there were plenty of people enjoying drinks and bites to eat, exuding a relaxed yet funky vibe which drew us in immediately.
As much as we were drawn immediately to the bar area, first it was time to (very seamlessly) check in and head to our room. Malmaison has 167 luxury rooms and 13 suites. We stayed in a standard twin and the room was stylish and spacious with quirky accents like the cool geo carpeting and had everything we could ask for. The beds are super comfy, and the power shower was great to find within the sleek, modern bathroom. As we were visiting on a weekday and for business, the spacious desk and super-fast WiFi was very much appreciated; it certainly helped us mix business and pleasure with ease!
We enjoyed our evening meal in the Chez Mal restaurant, which has a menu packed with locally sourced and inspired dishes. To start, we choose Fritto Misto, salt and pepper calamari, tiger prawn, scallop and lemon aioli. The batter had just the right amount of bite and the calamari was delightfully cooked. Followed by our main dish of summer green vegetable linguini. We opted to add tiger prawns which elevated the taste but even without the prawns, the linguine was delicious and filled with fresh peas, broad beans, broccoli, mint and Pecorino Sardo that together comprised the perfect fresh, summer evening dish.
Pretty satisfied at this point, we were going to pass on dessert, but the options were just too tempting! Deciding (finally) on Steamed Lemon Pudding, which was glorious – not too heavy either – accompanied perfectly by the Blueberry Compote and crème fraiche.
Of course, a cocktail in such a setting is a must! (Cocktails just seem very ‘Manchester’ somehow). So, it would be rude to say no. After careful consideration of the tempting cocktail menu, we chose the Classic Mojito, made with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda it was the epitome of a refreshing cocktail and ideal to cure the hot weather-induced pangs of thirst from the busy day.
The next morning, breakfast was equally as delicious. With an array of home-baked pastries, yoghurts, berries and fruits, freshly squeezed juices and pots of steaming tea and coffee, you would be definitely spoilt for choice with their continental offering but you can also choose from their array of hot breakfast options.
As we had a day of working around and about the city ahead, Eggs Benedict seemed a practical choice to keep us going throughout the busy day. It didn’t disappoint, with the tasty toasted English muffin, soft poached eggs, hollandaise and salmon definitely worth waking up early for!
After breakfast and before checking out, we did sneak a peek at the hotel’s fully equipped gym and luxurious spa. Although we didn’t have chance to try them ourselves, they are something which will be a definite must-try on our next visit.
Upon leaving the hotel, the undeniable impression which you are left with, is also one of the unique delights of this boutique hotel. When staying (and dining) at Malmasion Manchester, you immediately feel like one of the Manchester cool crowd. Not only is it based in the heart of the action, but it also genuinely feels like it is enveloping you in an integral part of the city scene.
For a city break, it ticks all the boxes!
Summer Vibes Offers:
To save on your own city escape, why not take advantage of Malmasion Manchester’s Summer Vibes package with up to 15% off 2-night stays, up to 20% off 3 nights or up to 25% off 4 nights. Until 5th September. Find out more here: https://www.malmaison.com/offers/rooms/summer-vibes/
It won’t disappoint!
To book a stay a MalMasion Manchester or preview the Chez Mal Basserie menu, visit https://www.malmaison.com/locations/manchester/
Review and some images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
Other images courtesy of Malmaison
