There’s a new place to stay in Manchester which has just opened and judging by my stay there last weekend, it’s going to be very popular indeed!

Last Saturday on a chilly but delightfully sunny day, we enjoyed a lovely overnight stay as a family at the new Roomzzz aparthotel in the city’s newly converted iconic Grade II listed Corn Exchange building.

Manchester is my original home city, a place where I partied, shopped and mooched around on many a day back in my youth so it’s a place that’s very dear to me. A city that will always have a special place in my heart. So it was fantastic to be back for the night as a family as guests of Roomzzz who not only provided us with a room for the night but also went out of their way to spoil us all too. (I’ve been on numerous press trips over the years both as a blogger and as a journalist and I have to say, the team really did push the boat out with thoughtful touches and gifts for all of us, which was incredibly kind and so appreciated. What a bloomin’ lovely bunch the Roomzzz staff are.)

As part of the recently renovated Corn Exchange, Roomzzz holds a prime spot in this magnificent and historic building which also houses a number of contemporary eating places and bars too. (Which is absolutely ideal if you’re travelling alone for work or if you’re a young family as you don’t have to venture far for fantastic food or drink.)

And as such, it features many striking original features such as art deco tiles and marble pillars, which really makes this new aparthotel something quite special and out of the ordinary. A mix of new and old gives Roomzzz Corn Exchange a unique vibe that I found to be both impressive and welcoming.

The location is brilliant. In fact knowing the city pretty well, I really don’t think it could be better! The Corn Exchange building is just a few minutes walk away from a multi storey car park as well as Victoria station and slap bang in the centre of the shopping, eating and drinking action! With Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, the Arndale centre and the Printworks all just a stone’s throw away.

As for the room itself, we found it to be ideal for us a family of four. The room we stayed in was a one bedroom mini apartment with a fully equipped kitchenette, dining area, spacious bathroom (with both a shower and separate bath), living room space and bedroom.

Modern in it’s design, we found our room to be comfortable, stylish and practical, with the extra space being a total godsend, allowing both Elsie and Leo to play and roam around.

Typical hotel rooms are great for ‘getting your head down’ but not so great when you’re cooped up in them with two small children! So staying in a room like this is definitely a good idea if you’re a family.

Although our room only had one bedroom, it worked as the staff made sure our needs were catered for. A travel cot was popped next to the bed in the bedroom (with the Roomzzz team even leaving a soft toy for Leo) and Elsie had our own ‘special bed’ made up for her in the living room area which she thought was the best thing ever!

And as for those thoughtful touches? Well let’s give you a quick rundown.

We arrived in the room to firstly find surprises laid out for us on the bed which included personalised dressing gowns for myself, Jamie and Elsie (which we all adore!) and gifts for both of the kids.

On the dining table, we found a selection of treats, my favourite being the ‘Manchester bee’ biscuits which were a tasty and thoughtful nod to the city’s history and culture. There was red wine for me and even cold beers in the fridge for Jamie as well as apple juice for the kids.

We’d requested a ‘quiet night in’ and the staff really went to town with this for us. A nail technician arrived at teatime to paint my nails which were desperately in need of some TLC (!) and a delicious Vietnamese takeaway from neighbouring restaurant Pho was brought to our room at 8pm when the kids were fast asleep which was perfect as we didn’t need to worry about venturing out. (The kids ate earlier!)

In the morning, Elsie and I did have a morning session booked with a yoga practitioner in our room too, however sadly Leo became rather poorly overnight and so I had to cancel it as we needed him to have some peace and quiet to make sure he had a good morning nap.

Nap done and after our Roomzzz ‘Grab & Go’ breakfast (guests can help themselves to a continental breakfast of pastries, fruit juice and hot drinks) we headed over to the marvellous Museum of Science & Technology in the sunshine where the Roomzzz team had kindly paid for us to visit the current Robot exhibition which we all really enjoyed, before heading back home to South Yorkshire. As overnight stays go, besides poor Leo becoming unexpectedly poorly, it was fantastic.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I always try when I’m writing a review to point out any ‘bad bits’ that I’ve experienced as well as the good, but hand on heart, I cannot think of one negative or one concern to even mention to you, which I think could be a first?!

I’ve even just asked Jamie to think of something which perhaps could be improved, but after racking his brains, he couldn’t think of anything either, so there we are! This alone probably tells you everything you need to know, but just in case…

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Manchester (and why wouldn’t you as this city has everything going for it, including the most friendliest of people) then I think you’d be hard pressed to find anything better than the new Roomzzz Corn Exchange, if you’re looking for accommodation that offers more space and luxury than a standard hotel room.

The location is simply perfect. The building is undeniably beautiful with restaurants and bars on site, and the rooms are stylish, comfortable and spacious. In fact, we loved it so much that we’re already trying to figure out when we go back. If you’ve any sense, you’ll get in quick whilst it’s still a bit of a secret and before it gets all booked up.

Huge thanks to the wonderful Roomzzz team for having us all and for making us feel so welcome and cared for. 

Bookings are now being taken. Rooms cost from just £109 per night.