With a 5am check in at Manchester Airport on the outward flight and a 22.30 arrival on the return flight, I wanted a hotel within the terminal building rather than a cheaper one further away with a shuttle or taxi ride.
The Radisson Blu is ideally placed between the Railway Station and Terminal 2. Terminals 1 and 3 are a bit further to walk. It is well signed and a five minute walk from Manchester Airport railway station, along an elevated covered walkway known as the Skylink. Even I couldn’t get lost. Next morning it was a five minute walk to Terminal 2.
It is a big hotel with bedrooms on five floors. Reception was quick and efficient. Staff are friendly and all greet you, making you feel like a valued guest.
I stopped here twice, at either end of the holiday. On both occasions I had a large and pleasant room overlooking the terminal building with the airplanes waiting by the gates.
The bed was huge – two three foot beds pushed together – with one of the most comfortable mattresses I’ve slept on. The pillows were large and your head sunk into them. Bliss.
There was plenty of space with a large desk, two bedside tables, couple of arm chairs. There was one of the largest flat screen TVs I’ve seen and even an iron and ironing board as well as the usual hospitality tray. The sachet of drinking chocolate was appreciated. Lighting was also good. So often rooms have dim lighting making it almost impossible to read in bed. Not here.
There was plenty of space in the bathroom and a good range of toiletries. The shampoo had a lovely lemon smell. Bath towels were fluffy, dried well and were huge. There was also a towelling bath mat, again appreciated. The over the bath shower was very effective with a good jet of water. The non slip surface in the bath wasn’t quite as non slip as it could be with wet feet. However there was a notice by the bath saying that a rubber mat was available on request.
It was very comfortable and I certainly slept well. A word of warning though – the automatic alarm call can be 5-10 minutes late!
I checked out before breakfast was served, but there was a ’Grab and Go’ service in reception between 3.30-6am. This offers complementary tea, coffee, water, fresh fruit and cereal bars. A nice gesture and again appreciated at that time of the morning.
The hotel offers a free health club, with a swimming pool, steam room and sauna as well as a gym and beauty lounge. I didn’t have time to try any of these out.
For those travelling by car they offer very attractive parking packages. Members of “Club Carlson”:https://www.clubcarlson.com/ Club Carlson also get a slight reduction in the daily rate and accrued points can be used against further bookings
I’ve already booked for my next flight from Manchester.
“Website”:https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-manchesterairport?csref=ppc_g_cr_sk_uk_ho_manzq_brand&facilitator=BIGMOUTHMEDIAREZIDOR&gclid=CP2UpPT-mNACFQsR0wod3OMIDg
