StayManchester.com – Serviced apartments with a fresh taste of funk
I admit it. Since my student days, I’ve been a hotel girl. I travel a lot and I love that soothing moment when the door closes, my case drops to the floor and I collapse onto the bed. That quiet reassurance when, just for a moment, I have nowhere else to get to and nothing else to do. Thirty seconds of frazzle removal before it’s time to get going again.
Hotels are made for one or two, not social groups or long term stays. Lounges and bars remain glaringly public and, as glamorous as this is going to sound, I run into problems with socks.
It’s not just socks, of course, it’s everything. Trousers, tops, jumpers, the works. I travel light and I travel often, a situation incompatible with the machinations of most hotel laundry.
So when Heather invited me to share an apartment with her, I thought it was about time I gave serviced apartments a second chance.
Manchester skyline - As seen from a StayManchester apartment
Laystall Apartments by StayManchester.com
StayManchester.com is an easy walk from Manchester Piccadilly – and therefore an easy walk into town. Like much of the city, the walk passes through fairly empty, industrial roads. The reception (yes, there is one) is clean and wonderfully efficient with the most gracious and helpful UK staff I’ve met in a long time. (And no, ye cynics, they didn’t know I’d be writing this review.)
Our apartment had two double rooms with one ensuite and another separate bathroom. We also had a huge lounge that continued into the open-plan kitchen. All the accessories were there, plus a tiny range of toiletries.
StayManchester - The Lounge
For design, think clotted cream duvets with a lime and mocha flourish. Plenty of personality, perfectly comfortable. Everything, from the panoramic views of the city to the paintings on the wall sent the same message: you’re in Manchester, a city on the up.
Coming back down to earth: it’s also easy to do laundry.
StayManchester.com
Prices start at £70/night
StayManchester - The Kitchen
Parking is available and there is free, fast wifi. I’ll say that again. THERE IS FREE AND FAST WIFI.
Amenities: Bath, shower, widescreen TV and, of course, free, fast wifi. Washing machine, dryer & clothes horse, full array of kitchen utensils, dining table & chairs plus a sofa. It’s right across the road from an Aldi supermarket, though you have to travel further for other shops.
Only one key per apartment, though, which complicates logistics.
Who it’s for? Families, couples, groups or long stays.
Who it’s not for? Room service addicts.
Disclosure: I paid a reduced rate to stay at Staymanchester.com. As ever, though, editorial control is mine, all mine!
Hi, I'm Abi, a journalist who swapped a career as a doctor for a life on the road. 
