Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre, Smithfield One

Excellent hotel with excellent team delivering noteworthy hospitality. Rooms are of a high standard, clean and comfortable with nice bedding. I don't think the hotel rooms have seen a refurbishment since the hotel opened; I think its time they went floor-by-floor with a refurb programme. The only odd thing in the rooms, is the shower, they over engineered the bathrooms design to have a individual bath tub, and a separate shower and owing to space constraints the shower is like something you would find in a caravan, there is no shower head in the bath. Breakfast buffet is typical for hotels these days, fairly generic but they do offer an additional menu to order some limited items a la carte. The bar could be a bit more cosy, but Crowne Plaza is known for having that very modern contemporary look, just needs a nice fire and a rug. Reception team are high calibre and they are attentive and they know things, hard to see in most hotels. Restaurant staff are warm and friendly and are happy to accommodate. As for location, as I'm familiar with the city, its a little out of the way from the centre of town, but Manchester city centre isn't too big, so it is only a 5 min walk to Exchange Square, 7-10 min walk to Piccadilly Gardens area. The Northern Quarter is right on the doorstep which is an advantage for bars and restaurants. They need one of those umbrella rental machines in reception, they don't have ample supply behind reception, but would benefit from a rental machine that other IHG branded hotels have. It is Manchester after all, and it rains... I prefer this Crowne Plaza over the Hotel Indigo near Victoria (around the corner). There is also a more affordable Holiday Inn Express adjoining the Crowne Plaza which is run by the same IHG franchise.

Nice hotel, in a great location. Check in was quick and staff polite and friendly. Stayed for one night on business with colleagues. Huge floor to ceiling windows, room was spacious, very well cleaned. Shower is quiet small but bathroom was a good size with bath. Room overlooked the street but was still a nice view esp at night. seeing that it was Bonfire night the noise of fireworks was minimal which was great . Breakfast was OK, ordered from the menu took my order for avocado on toast but can back over 5 mins later to say no avocado, I decided on eggs royal, my colleague asked for some oat milk and that never turned up. He was supposed to have poached egg on sourdough and it turned out be on sliced brown bread. Both are eggs were more boiled than poached I e the yellow was solid! The stay was pleasant,