Perched on the edge of Manchester’s Albert Square, Malmaison Deansgate is the newest addition to the group’s collection of stunning hotels in the UK’s cities. I spent the night, enjoyed a fabulous dinner and cocktails and just wait until you hear about the breakfast…
Where is Malmaison Deansgate?
Now I don’t know anything about boundaries or council areas but the location of the hotel is not on Deansgate as I know it. Malmaison Deansgate is on Princess Street, just off Albert Square. Regardless, the location is absolutely perfect, in one direction you have Market Street, Selfridges and the Arndale shopping centre and in the other you have Deansgate, Spinningfields and a whole host of restaurants and bars meaning there is plenty to do right on your doorstep.
Service at Malmaison Deansgate
Upon arrival, I was impressed by the bold and diverse style of the interiors in the entrance and bar area. It feels fresh and brand new and I was excited to see more. We were checked in by Matilda on reception who was incredibly helpful and friendly throughout our stay. I have to say the level of service from every member of staff we encountered was exceptional. From the check-in, bar staff, waiters and even a member of maintenance, everyone was so professional and friendly but especially the waitresses at breakfast who were just superb.
What are the rooms like?
Our room was a Club Deluxe room on one of the higher floors with a fabulous view of St Albert’s Square. Complete with a king bed, en-suite bathroom with shower the decor is traditional but with a modern edge. I absolutely loved the over-the-bed floral mural with clever lighting and the pops of colour in the furnishings. The bathroom is completed to such a high spec but what really impressed me was the beautiful mosaic artwork in the shower.
The whole room was a feast for the eyes. One thing I would say though, it is very dark, although the lighting is modern and cosy looking, actually using the switches and getting enough light into the room in order to do my makeup in the evening was a real challenge. Thankfully the bathroom had a mirror light but the two of us had to fight over it!
Special Touches
The room features bathrobes and slippers, a flat-screen TV with screen mirroring, a desk and lounge chair, a coffee machine and everything you need for hot drinks and Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries. But by far the most special thing about the room would be if you booked it in the run-up to Christmas or New Year because the view over Albert Square and Town Hall full of the famous Manchester Christmas Markets and fireworks display would be so unbelievably perfect (lads this is your hint to book a room to impress your girlfriends!).
What is there to eat and drink at Malmaison Bar & Grill?
We began our evening with a pre-dinner cocktail, I opted for a Rossini Bellini, a refreshing mix of fresh strawberries, basil, vodka and champagne whilst my companion went for a classic Pina Colada. The bar area was humming with activity from people checking in for the night, families having a quick drink before heading out into the city and couples popping in for a cocktail.
We were then taken to our seats in the main restaurant but not before I stopped to take photos and videos because it is simply stunning. The chandeliers and lighting dominate the space but the low lighting under colourful artworks around the room draws your gaze to each one. It’s a gorgeous space with small tables by the windows (fantastic for people-watching!) and big booths for groups or intimate dining.
The Food at Malmaison Deansgate
I’m not a starter or dessert kind of girl, I’m both everytime, even in a place like this, where the portions are very generous. I began with the buffalo chicken, beautifully moist chicken pieces inside a crispy battered coating and smothered in a slightly spicy buffalo sauce. For main we both ordered the same thing because it sounded too good to miss, slow cooked beef rib with a red wine jus and creamy mashed potatoes. It was a cold February evening and this was comfort food at its finest. Absolutely delicious beef you could eat with just a fork as it just fell apart.
We had a side of baby carrots which had just the right amount of crunch and some fries to dip in the gravy (we are northern after all, it has to be done). For dessert I had a caramelised toffee apple sundae which was just sublime, I couldn’t get enough of it despite being completely full to bursting. I washed all this down with the Sommelier’s choice of Fiano, ‘Luccio’ by Pikes which I then ordered up to my room to enjoy while all that food settled.
Bed and Breakfast
If you book a room at Malmaison Deansgate do not even think of not including breakfast in your stay. I seem to remember remarking about the incredible breakfast at Malmaison’s other location in Manchester Piccadilly but this one simply can’t be missed. If you’re just a fruit and granola kind of person then that’s fine and there is still plenty of choice, but if you’re like me and have to have fruit and then pastries and then a full English with toast and then maybe finish off with some melon and an orange juice then you won’t be disappointed!
The full English was just perfect, with crispy hash browns and expertly cooked bacon and the croissants were so fresh and crispy I could have had a meal of just them on their own. But what has to be mentioned here is the service, it was just incredible from the moment we entered the restaurant, we were shown all the buffet options, given a run down of how the hot food menu works, offered a selection of drinks and were spoken to in such a warm and professional way through. I’d never had such service at breakfast, at most hotels it’s an afterthought but here it was treated as if it was the most important meal of the day. We absolutely loved it.
Why stay at Malmaison in Manchester?
Manchester is full of fabulous hotels but there aren’t many that have the views, the food, comfort and exceptional service combined. Although the view from the window is currently a building site, come Christmas it would be absolutely magical. With a restaurant menu that changes with the seasons, there’s guaranteed to always be something delicious to eat without having to leave the hotel, but if you do decide to leave, you’re right in the heart of the city with plenty to see and do.
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate
23 Princess Street
Manchester
M2 4ER
United Kingdom
