After a noisy three hours on the train from Glasgow, I was in desperate need of some comfort and calm when my partner, Sean, and I arrived in Manchester. This was my first time visiting the city, while Sean had been here many times for gigs. Much like Glasgow, Manchester has a vibrant music scene, as befitting a city that has produced the likes of The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Oasis and The Smiths, and boasts plenty of great gig venues.
We had a more laid back, relaxing weekend stay ahead of us, though. INNSiDE by Melia Manchester, located in the cosmopolitan First Street district in the heart of the city, proved the perfect base. As soon as we entered it, I felt a sense of calm as I took in my new sleek and stylish surroundings.
After checking in, we took a lift to one of the higher floors and located our room. It’s not often that a hotel room takes my breath away, but it was hard not to marvel at our gorgeous lodgings. We were staying in one of the hotel’s spacious and stylish studio rooms, which boasted a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and a ridiculously comfy king-size bed with a big sofa at its foot that provided an ideal place to watch TV.
There was also a desk that doubled as a dressing table for me, a stylish tea and coffee area, mini bar, and a gorgeous open bathroom with an enclosed waterfall shower. There was even a yoga mat for stretching out and finding your inner calm while gazing out across the city’s skyline. After a quick rest, we were feeling rather.