Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (formerly the Principal Manchester, and before that, the Palace Hotel), is in the Refuge Assurance Building on Oxford Road at the southern edge of Manchester city centre. It is a beautiful 19th-century Grade II-listed building that has been lovingly restored maintaining its period features that include ornate columns and ceramic brickwork. The hotel is said to be haunted.

The hotel has 270 spacious guest bedrooms. Most guest rooms are between 27 and 31m² (290–329 sq ft) and feature comfortable beds, a fridge with complimentary milk, still and sparkling water, a television, tea and coffee making facilities and en-suite bathrooms. All guests have free Wi-Fi wireless internet access.

A double room at the Principal Manchester. (Photo: IHG)
A double room at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)
A twin room. (Photo: IHG)
A twin room. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Some of the suites are massive – larger than the average new home in the United Kingdom – but you pay through the nose for all the extra space.

Some of the hotel’s suites are positively enormous. However, you pay a premium for all this extra space. (Photo: IHG)
Some of the hotel’s suites are positively enormous. However, you pay a premium for all this extra space. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Because the hotel is in a historic building, no two rooms are exactly the same.

The Refuge by Volta is the hotel’s complex of bars and a restaurant, which have a wonderful ambience that is enhanced by the old building’s period features. This includes the Refuge Public Bar, the Refuge Dining Room restaurant and the Winter Garden where you can sip cocktails and champagne. There is also a private bar and private dining room that you can book for special events.

The dining area of the hotel’s Refuge by Volta restaurant is a lovely place for a meal.
The dining area of the hotel’s Refuge by Volta restaurant is a lovely place for a meal. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)
The hotel’s winter garden is a wonderful place to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of champagne. (Photo: IHG)
The hotel’s winter garden is a wonderful place to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of champagne. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)
The hotel has a games room where you can play pool or table football. (Photo: IHG)
The hotel has a games room where you can play pool or table football. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)
The hotel’s opulent reception area showcases the Grade II-listed building’s heritage features. (Photo: IHG)
The hotel’s opulent reception area showcases the Grade II-listed building’s heritage features. (Photo: IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Although it’s at the southern extremity of the city centre, the hotel’s location is convenient with the very centre of the city just a 10-minute walk and with most points of interest in central Manchester no more than a 20-minute walk away. It is right across the road from Oxford Road railway station and a 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly railway station.

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Amenities
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Wheelchair access
  • Non smoking rooms
  • 24-hour reception
  • Tea and coffee making facilities
  • Fridge in room
  • Flat screen television
  • En suite bathroom
  • Hairdryer
  • Cafe/restaurant
  • Bar

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