Just a five minute walk from Piccadilly train station, and on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Abode hotel is a great location for a night or weekend in the city.
We arrived straight from the office on a Friday, with a serious case of weekend excitement. The concierge at the lobby speedily checked us in and gave us our room key, informing us that if we were keen there was a drinks offer in the bar until 7.30pm which would help to get our night started – count us in.
The 61 rooms and 5 suites are all unique, with a real homely feel to each. We were staying in one of Abode’s Enviable rooms on the fourth floor, a junior suite with a huge bed, and a seating area. The room was contemporary & luxurious, with accents of leather and checked fabric, as well as feature wallpaper. The room was really well lit with ample storage for our one night stay, although you’d be more than comfortable staying for much longer.
There was a Nespresso machine in the room with complimentary capsules, as well as an artisan tea selection ready for the morning, as well as a luxurious tuck boxes should the need to snack kick in. As we were staying in a junior suite, the team at Abode had kindly left a complimentary chocolate box featuring a combination of milk & dark chocolates for us to tuck into with our hot drinks.
The bathroom featured a shower over bath, with complimentary bespoke toiletries, and as well as towels we were supplied with a dressing gown and slippers each.
We started our evening in the recently unveiled new look Brasserie bar, where we took advantage of the 2 for £10 cocktail offer. Brasserie Abode is a relaxed all day venue with a statement black and white chevron floor, with plush leather seating and wooden table tops. The sun is shining through the huge windows and it’s an ideal location to sit and people watch as we see hoards of people entering the city from the nearby train station ready for a night in the city centre.
We opt for an Espresso Martini and a Mai Tai, which both arrive served on silver trays with a complimentary nibble. While the Espresso Martini is served with delicate, coffee bean shaped chocolates, the Mai Tai is served with spicy prawn crackers. A great way to start the evening, whether you’re planning on staying in the Brasserie for dinner, or just stopping by for a drink on the way into Manchester.
Staff are personable and helpful, with nothing too big of an ask, the team offer 24/7 room service, in case you get the munchies any time, morning or night. As we left the hotel for our night in the Northern Quarter I received an email to say thanks for checking in with Abode, with links to the concierge service where we were able to order any extras such as flowers or champagne, book a table in the Brasserie, or helpfully find a map to locate the hotel after a day or night in town.
Thanks to the air conditioning and secondary glazing on the windows, the room remains quiet during the night even though town is busy, and the super king sized bed means we had a great nights sleep.
The next day we plan to go shopping in the city centre, and so get up to make the most of Abode’s new breakfast offering served from 8-11am in the downstairs Brasserie. We check out and leave our bags at reception, and are shown to a seat in the new look restaurant.
The breakfast included with the hotel stay features a huge selection of options, from a cereal bar or ‘viennoiserie’ (baked things!), as well as a fruit selection or hot breakfasts from the kitchen. With so much amazing food on offer we struggled to choose, and started with a chia breakfast pot which tasted like chocolate orange, although assuredly healthier. My partner opted to try the berry oatmeal, which was lovely and fresh but not too heavy.
We ordered hot food from the kitchen, a full English, and crushed avocado on toasted sourdough with eggs. As we polished off our breakfast pots, the hot food arrived swiftly. The full English included homemade beans as well as bacon, sausage, black pudding, egg, mushroom, tomatoes and hash brown. The avocado had been mashed with lemon and rock salt, served on crusty sourdough toast.
After a heavy night we opted to try the healthy looking juices on offer, and even the greenest juice of kale, spinach and apple tasted lovely. Abode also offered food for those on specific diets, with gluten free cereals or veggie breakfast offerings, to almond and soya milk for with your brew.
If you’re not staying in the hotel, we’d still really recommend this breakfast at just £15pp, where you can get all of the above, as well as tea and coffee. If you want something smaller, the upstairs brasserie bar is open for breakfast from 7am. Options include smoked salmon and scrambled egg for £8.50, Eggs benedict for £7 or lobster & crab omelette for £20.
While Abode doesn’t have any of its own parking, we were able to park nearby in the Northern Quarter at £10 for 24 hours, at a discount rate for staying at the hotel. The hotel is also just a few minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station or the tram stop, and so ideal for those coming into the city via public transport.
Abode is currently offering a spring break package until end June, with dinner, room & breakfast for two at £129 for one night. For more details click here.
Abode, 107 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2DB
0161 247 7744
http://www.abodemanchester.co.uk/
