AC Hotel by Marriott Manchester City Centre

The AC Hotel chain is a more modern alternative to a conventional hotel and it is aimed at younger business travellers, particularly those involved in creative industries. It seems to be going after the same market as the INNSIDE hotel near Deansgate; and like INNSIDE, AC Hotels is a Spanish chain (although it is now part of the US-based Marriott group) with a strong focus on a sleek minimalist design.

The hotel’s sleek design extends across the hotel including the reception area, the bar and restaurant and into the rooms.

The hotel has 172 guest rooms set on nine levels. All rooms are air-conditioned with comfortable beds, a 47″ flat-screen television, a work desk, ironing facilities, mini-fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and en suite bathrooms. Standard rooms are 22m² (237 sq ft) and superior rooms are a little larger at 24m² (258 sq ft) and have a free minibar, a Nespresso coffee machine and a bathrobe.

Some of the standard guest rooms are wheelchair-accessible.

There is a small convenience store near the hotel reception plus a modern bar and lounge with a casual dining menu. The hotel also features the AC Library (a co-working space/bar) and its own on-site fitness centre.

There is free Wi-Fi wireless internet access in the hotel’s public areas but you need to pay £5–10 per day to get Wi-Fi in your room.

The hotel is at the northern edge of Manchester’s city centre. It is only one block (a one-minute walk) from the hip Northern Quarter where there are plenty of quirky places to eat and drink and the heart of the Central Retail District is just a 10-minute walk away.

The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Manchester Victoria railway station and Manchester Piccadilly station is a 15-minute walk away. Shudehill Interchange, where Megabus coaches stop, is only a five-minute walk from the hotel and at Shudehill you have access to Manchester’s Metrolink tram network.

Car parking is available for £7.50 per day.