Motel One

I received an invite to the Motel One Opening Party. Not entirely sure how I got on the list but it’s still nice to be invited. The invite was one of the more interesting invites I’ve received — it was in the shape of one of those «please do not disturb signs» that you get in hotels as well as a rose. A real one! I gave the rose to the friend who I asked to be my +1, though I think her fella was a bit suspicious when she got home… oops!
So the night arrived. Whilst I googled the address, we weren’t entirely sure where to find it. Basically, if you cut through Piccadilly Place, behind the Doubletree, and turn right onto London Road, and it’s a short way down the road. It’s not quite as far as Monroes.
There’s a nice little seating area in the London Road entrance which was nice
We were greeted with blue prosecco. I can’t remember what they put in the prosecco to make it blue, but it was a nice touch to have a drink in their corporate colour. We made our way to the main bar area, which was really nice considering it’s a budget hotel. I’ve been to 4* hotels where the bar isn’t so nice.
There were glitterballs — not sure if they are were brought in for the party or if they are always there. The room is really big with a range of seating, some sofas, some tables/​chairs. There’s also a fire — though it’s not a real fire — but a nice cosy touch.
The main reception is in the same area as the bar and there’s also another entrance in the bar — assume it goes to Whitworth Street or Aytoun Street but I didn’t investigate.
The canapes were nice — cheese and ham toasties, some goats cheese tarts, prawn things, samosas and other things I can’t remember. There were also small versions of their signature cocktails doing the rounds, one with bourbon (which I didn’t try) and one called Cottonoppolis which had blue cotton candy and gin and was really nice. I had to try a few of those just to make sure they were nice.
We were given a show around the hotel. Being a German brand, it has the efficiency and clean lines that you’d expect. There are bigger rooms, with sofas which can be folded out for kids, and other rooms that are laid out a little differently to create more space. I tried out the beds in each of the rooms we went in. Well not «tried out» like that, before anyone thinks I’m some sort of weirdo, but I mean I sat on the edge and bounced a bit. I did lay back on one of the beds to test it out. Was very comfortable, though not as nice as my memory foam mattress (but then nothing is).
Since I live in town I can’t imagine I’d ever stay here. It’s only £69 for a standard room and £89 for the bigger rooms (though apparently sometimes have premium rates). With 350 rooms, and the second largest hotel in Manchester, you’d most likely always get a room.