Gardens Hotel

With a central location and inviting interiors, this budget hotel attracts both leisure and business travelers looking for a convenient base for their Manchester stay. Common spaces feature pleasant contemporary decor often accented by eye-catching touches like the intricately patterned purple and silver wallpaper in the lobby. A sunlit atrium-like section of the space offers comfy couches and coffee tables, while the adjoining lobby bar is a cozy area for a tipple. Guest rooms are in need of updates, however, but guests with measured expectations should find this unfussy property to be a good value.

The hotel occupies a convenient central location in Manchester, overlooking the Piccadilly Gardens. There are lots of dining options in the immediate area, as well as bars, cafes, and supermarkets. Manchester Arndale, a large mall filled with shops, is a seven-minute walk away, and there's a Primark and Debenhams department store within a five-minute walk of the hotel. Several attractions are within walking distance, including the Manchester Art Gallery (eight-minute walk), the National Football Museum (12-minute walk), the Manchester Cathedral (12-minute walk), and the John Rylands Library (14-minute walk). The area is well served by public transportation, with several buses stopping right by the hotel and two tram stops serving several lines within a three-minute walk of the property. Many of the city's top attractions can be reached by public transit in 15 to 20 minutes (or a 10-minute drive), including the Old Trafford stadium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Manchester Museum. The Manchester Piccadilly train station is a five-minute walk away. Manchester Airport is a 20- to 45-minute drive, depending on traffic, or around a half-hour via public transportation.

Rooms are fairly modest and simply furnished. Patterned bed throws top white bedding and are paired with complementary curtains, while floors are carpeted and some rooms have accent walls covered in bird-print wallpaper. Simple wooden furniture includes nightstands and desks, plus most rooms have armchairs. Executive Rooms are a step up in terms of decor, with tasteful patterned wallpaper and carpets, nicer furniture, and stylish touches like cool lighting fixtures. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities, irons/ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms lack air-conditioning and are supplied only with fans, so they can get stuffy. Note that some rooms do not have windows, while some have views over an interior courtyard.

Bathrooms have shower/tub combos or shower cabins, but fixtures are old and in need of an update. Liquid soap and shampoo are provided in wall-mounted dispensers labeled as Gilcrhist & Soames. Bathrooms in Executive Rooms are sleeker and more attractive. 

Features are a bit sparse in this modest hotel, but a handful of perks add value to a stay here. The hotel has a pleasant dining space that's open for breakfast (included in rates), serving both a continental buffet or a traditional full English breakfast. There's also a cozy lobby bar that offers drinks, coffee, and light bites like sandwiches; these can be ordered via room service as well. Other amenities include a business corner in the lobby with computers and a printer, plus free Wi-Fi throughout the property.