The Midland Hotel Manchester: a stay with Afternoon Tea & dinner in The French
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Manchester's four-star The Midland Hotel is something of an icon in the city centre, known instantly by the locals and used to its prime location overlooking St Peter's Square. It's been around for what feels like since time began. However, as a Manchester lass myself, it wasn't until recently that I got the chance to stay there.
The entrance and lobby area inside the hotel has a very Art Deco look to it. Expansive and airy, there is a feel of old grandeur but without it being overbearing. Reception staff were attentive and service-orientated, but thankfully not saccharine sweet.
Our twin room was beautiful and immaculate. Extremely spacious, queen size single beds, and luxuriously decorated. The mini bar was well-stocked and the hospitality tray had an excellent array of teas, coffees and herbal drinks – with filter coffee available. Oh, and the biscuits were scrummy too.
Still, we were taking Champagne Afternoon Tea and therefore needed to keep some space, and what a lot of space you need! Afternoon Tea at the Midland was very elegant indeed. The high-ceilinged restaurant was full of ladies taking time out together enjoying the delicate finger sandwiches and cakes.
My vegetarian selection (though included a tasty humous on rye) was not quite as inspiring as my friend's non-veggie selection, but the savouries were incredibly fresh and there was enough to fill. However, when we saw the cakes, our eyes nearly popped out of our heads. Come hungry the scones with cream and jam are plenty and delicious, but then there is chocolate fudge cake, fruit tart and other goodies to get delirious on.
After finishing off our glass of champagne, we enjoyed the spa facilities for a short while to try and wear some calories off (we didn't make much impact). The pool is small but there is a Jacuzzi and a sauna, so both very pleasant to ease away the stresses of the week. Then, it was time to chill out in the lovely room, dressed in our thick white robes, and get ready for dinner.
We were eating in the award-winning The French, which as its name suggests, is a French restaurant (did you guess?). It has very traditional, old-style impeccable service with a maître d' who is clearly devoted to his job.
Being a French restaurant, the menu doesn't cater for vegetarians and I was disappointed to see both fois gras and veal there – the cruelty involved in producing these foods is so extreme that I feel there is no place for them in the modern restaurant, even ones which adhere to traditional cuisine.
Luckily, a pescitarian at the time, there were fish and seafood options. For my main, I chose lemon sole (£24.95) which was excellent and a huge portion, too much to finish without leaving a tiny gap for dessert, which of course I had to try. We ended up with the Assiette – a selection of French desserts to share (£14.95). This is included melt-in-the-mouth custard tart as well as peach champagne cheesecake.
While we loved the room, we both got woken in the night by a lot of rowdiness and noise in the street. It seemed we were close to a club that spilled out its customers in the early hours, all shouting and jeering in the street. This was the main downside to what otherwise would have been a very restful stay.
However, for its location, service and stylish, comfortable rooms, I would still recommend The Midland Hotel Manchester. Just ask for a room away from the club!
Champagne Afternoon Tea is £24.99pp and booking ahead is recommended.
Peter Street 16, Manchester, UK
Contact tel: +44 (0) 161 236 3333, fax: +44 (0) 161 932 4100
Cost standard double room: £££
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, parking, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, room service, business services, internet access, wheelchair accessible, concierge, air-conditioning
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The Midland Hotel Manchester
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