Holiday Inn Express Manchester East by IHG

Apart from one staff member, nearly everything about the experience was close to perfect, so the price and location felt amazing. Still, four stars may have been generous. At 11pm, a receptionist knocked on our door and blamed us for noise that was actually coming from another family in a different room. She disturbed us, and I told her respectfully but firmly what I thought. Staff should investigate before confronting an innocent guest. The rest of the experience was very good.

There were no tea or coffee facilities in the room, but the 24/7 lounge had both available. It’s a 10-15 minute drive to the centre and within walking distance of the metro. We had no problems, paid a reasonable price, and would come back. I’d recommend booking direct.

The staff were the best part of the stay. Everyone was kind, welcoming and very nice, and checkout was easy and pleasant. If I come back to Manchester, I’d book here again on the strength of their service. The room was clean and did its job as somewhere to sleep, but the hotel is ready for a major update. It feels as if the last refresh was around 2013, not 2025. There were noticeable stains on the sofa, the bedding was basic and not very comfortable, and the old TV had lines across the screen and only basic, dated channels. We stayed here for our trip, especially to get to Co-op Live. It’s about 3.3 miles away, while the City Centre is a quick 4.3-mile drive. McDonald’s is on the same road, around 450 feet away, and open 24 hours, which is handy for a quick or late meal. I needed a break from McDonald’s on this trip, but it’s a useful option for others. The free breakfast was enough to fill you up, though short on flavour. The sausages were easily the best item. For the money, it’s a reliable choice with great staff, as long as you’re prepared for dated rooms and a basic breakfast.

The staff were really friendly, and we got a warm welcome and quick check-in. Breakfast was lovely. The rooms were clean, though more dated than some Holiday Inn Express places we’d stayed at before.