Hotel Review: Motel One, Manchester

One of the key trends in the UK hotel budget market is the rapid expansion of new hotels. A new player on the scene is German brand Motel One. Whilst the brand is well established in Germany and with other hotels in Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic it was only a matter of time before the first hotel would open in the UK.

The first hotel opened in London with the second one opening in Edinburgh. The new Manchester hotel opened in mid summer. Further expansion is planned with hotels opening in Newcastle and Glasgow.

With rates starting from an attractive price of £69.00 in the UK, the brand is well positioned to take some of the business away from the likes of Ibis, Premier Inn and Travelodge.

The Manchester hotel is situated just across from Piccadilly Railway station and is well placed with the shopping area and central Manchester only minutes away on foot.

First impressions were very good, it was a pleasure to be greeted in a professional but friendly manner. If I hear anyone call me a "guy" again these days I will scream. It's an Americanism which is creeping into our culture, you go to France and you are addressed as Monsieur or Madame in most places, here we seem to have latched on to "how you guys doing today". Thankfully the staff at the Motel One have been well trained and we are spared the lazy way of addressing people.

Each hotel tries to theme itself around the city it is in, Manchester has chosen to show its musical influence on pop culture. A wall is dedicated to the Manchester genre of the early 90's when bands such as the Inspiral Carpets, The Charlatans, The Stone Roses and of course Oasis ruled the music scene. A limited edition Union Jack Sheraton guitar like the one that Noel Gallagher uses lays on a bookshelf whilst books on Manchester bands such as Simply Red and New Order adorn the coffee tables.

As a music fan it is a brilliant touch but to be honest, with the majority of guests being business people and the odd tourist, it seems to go over the top of their heads and is lost on them. Perhaps younger guests at the weekend will appreciate it more.

The One Lounge, as it is called has a disco mirror ball, leather arm chairs and a velvet couch. Ambient jazz music plays in the background which seems at odds with the video wall showing The Charlatans and then the Stone Roses in concert in silent mode.

A well stocked bar which also serves cocktails, such as their own cocktail, The One which comes in a turquoise colour, the colour of the brand. Carlos the barman chats to us and informs us that he worked previously at the Crown Plaza hotel in the city, how he likes to visit his home town of Alicante and his love of UK fashion chains. His style is friendly, informative and professional. Money seems to have been well spent on staff training. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for them.

The rooms are bright and airy. With air con as standard, tea and coffee making facilities, a quality bed with 100% Egyptian cotton bed linen, a Loewe flat screen TV and a Black Mambo hairdryer made by Allied Germany, the German influence is evident throughout. Functional yet well designed like most German items. The bathroom comes with a walk in shower and luxurious towels.

Continental visitors have been thought of with the TV having German, French, Italian and Spanish channels as well as the UK Freeview channels. Continental plugs too.

Things seemed to be going well until what sounded like rap music was being played loudly as the clock approached midnight. Unable to ascertain where it was coming from, a quick call to reception was met with an offer to swap our rooms without hesitation. An offer of help moving our cases was there too. Peace at last. In our new room you could hear a pin drop and a good nights sleep was had.

Breakfast is £9.50 and continental style. The presentation is that of a 5 star hotel. With organic milk and free trade coffee you can see the angle they are coming from. However what I found odd, that whilst there was a range of cereals there were no cornflakes. I asked a member of the team and he confirmed that they didn't have any. Proclaiming that they try to source all their UK products locally when they can. It is surprising not to find any cornflakes when the Kellogg's factory is just down the road! They did have Marmite though, so British guests have been thought about there.

What works in Munich or Magdeburg does not always work in Manchester and the UK, the omission of any hot food such as bacon, sausage and egg is a minor niggle in what is a superb, cosy, friendly hotel.

With several pub chains nearby that serve hot breakfasts they are missing out on a lot of business though breakfast was busy at the hotel. Several of the business guests I spoke to also seemed to miss a cooked breakfast. If they could get this right along with another British staple at breakfast time, cornflakes, they are on the right track.

Ideal for business or leisure trips to the city. Clean, comfortable, well trained professional staff and a welcome addition to the UK marketplace.