Motel One Manchester Royal Exchange

It is important to be clear that Motel One is not a motel. There is no free parking, which is what differentiates a motel from a hotel and unlike most places that call themselves motels, the Motel One is right in the city centre rather than on a highway on the outskirts of town.

The hotel is in a historic building right across the road from the Royal Exchange Theatre with 302 guest bedrooms, each with a double bed, television, desk, tea and coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom. Although the rooms are small they are clean and offer all you need for a comfortable stay.

There is free Wi-Fi wireless internet access in all guest rooms as well as public areas and iPads are available to borrow from the reception desk.

Motel One is a German hotel chain that market themselves as budget design hotels and despite the generic brand name, this (and the other Manchester Motel One) is more a design hotel than a budget hotel.

It is actually a surprisingly stylish and well-appointed place and it is obvious that thought has been put into the design with designer furniture and unique touches that reflect Manchester’s industrial heritage. The designers have gone for a faux-industrial look that celebrates the city’s heyday in the 19th century when it was the centre of the world’s cotton trade and known as Cottonopolis. The reception area features massive steel arches, there is a specially commissioned artwork in the hotel’s bar called Cottonopolis and there are design elements based on sewing machines and spools of thread.

Motel One Manchester Royal Exchange is more than just a bed for the night and there is a nice hotel bar that is much nicer than you would expect for a hotel in this price bracket.

The hotel is in the heart of Manchester’s central retail district and is close to everything else that Manchester city centre has to offer with most points of interest within walking distance. It is only a two-minute walk to the Arndale Centre, a 10-minute walk to Salford Central and Manchester Victoria stations and 15 minutes to Manchester Piccadilly railway station.