Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport

This large airport hotel sees a constant stream of business and leisure travelers, with an atmosphere that can feel a bit impersonal, though polished light-marble tile floors and high ceilings make a favorable first impression. The registration area can get crowded with long check-in lines and there are few places to sit, so guests don’t tend to linger. The Lounge Bar is a different story, with dozens of comfy chairs and sofas arranged around tables for relaxed conversations over light meals and drinks. It offers all-day service, and it can be a lively place.

The hotel is located on busy road that's close to Manchester Airport and train station, both of which can be reached in roughly six minutes on foot or about two minutes in the car. There’s little of entertainment value in the immediate area, other than a couple of restaurants and bars at nearby hotels, such as the Crowne Plaza. It’s about a 25-minute drive or train ride from the airport to the center of Manchester. Etihad Stadium, home field of the Manchester United Football Club, is 30 minutes by car or about 50 minutes by train. 

As of August 2017, approximately half of the Standard guest rooms at Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport have been renovated (all Superior and Executive rooms were upgraded). Older units are well-maintained but look dated, with red carpeting and striped drapes, and 70s-era modular-style furniture, and they're a bit dark. Newer units are dark as well, but they have contemporary decor and are less dreary. Guest can expect carpeting and bed throws in modern patterns, padded headboards that have media plug-ins and adjustable reading lights, and sleeker, dark-wood furniture. All units are spacious and contain desks, armoires, small oval tables, and upholstered armchairs, plus flat-screen TVs, kettles with free tea, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Standard rooms come in Double and Twin (two Twins) options, but they lack AC, which Superior and Executive rooms have. Bathrooms are average in size, and all have shower/tub combos with light tiling and excellent lighting, hairdryers, and toiletries. Some units on higher floors offer airport runway views. Airport noise can be an issue at times. 

The Clayton is a classic airport business hotel, with a free 24-hour shuttle providing round-trip service to the airport and train station. Another highlight is the on-site restaurant, which offers a breakfast buffet with hot items and to-go bags for an extra charge, plus there's an a la carte dinner menu that changes seasonally and includes choices such steaks, chops, pasta, salads, and seafood. The Lounge Bar serves hot food all day, with an emphasis on lighter items such as sandwiches, fish and chips, and salads, and it has an outdoor patio. There's also 24-hour room service available.  

The hotel has 20 separate meeting rooms, the largest of which can host a group of up to 100 people. It also has a large business center with comfortable seating and tables for small meetings, as well as coffee and tea service. Wi-Fi is free and accessible throughout the hotel, and the small fitness center has a few pieces of cardio equipment and free weights. On-site parking and long-term park-and-fly packages are available for a fee.