Piccadilly Suites

The rooms are plain, but ours was very clean and well looked after, and the staff were warm and welcoming. For a budget place in central Manchester, it holds its own. There’s a small bar with a 241 happy hour, plus a little restaurant serving meals and buffet breakfast. My one gripe, which lots of hotels seem to share, is that the windows don’t open, so there’s no way to get proper ventilation.

We left and had breakfast elsewhere because the receptionist’s manner was rude, and we were glad we did given the water issues that morning. After staying here many times because of its central location, I’d now think twice about booking again. We were here for one night on 29/05/26 and the fire alarm woke us twice, once around 1am and again at 3:30am. We’re grateful we could evacuate and know things can go wrong, but the staff response was appalling. Someone higher up needs to review how so many things could fail in a single night. The first evacuation was chaotic. There were no staff in sight, no directions, and no help for wheelchair users. When a staff member finally showed up, they told us to go back inside because “it’s probably a false alarm,” even as firefighters arrived. The hotel hadn’t been checked, so sending us back in was alarming. The second time, someone came out with a megaphone, but again told us to return before the building had been checked. It was lucky no one was hurt. At reception, we asked for a complimentary breakfast or partial refund because of the disruption and poor communication. The same woman who’d told us to go back in said she couldn’t help and we had to submit an online form. It didn’t seem like there was any way to compensate guests. Other staff appeared to stay at reception rather than help evacuate. From outside, we saw people looking out from the stairwell windows, which made it seem that guests were still inside during what could have been dangerous. A wheelchair user made it out during the first evacuation, but we didn’t see them outside the second time. Why wasn’t anyone checking that they got out safely or accounting for them? If this keeps happening, why hasn’t it been addressed? If the alarm is faulty, it needs fixing, and the staff response needs to improve.

It’s a practical, affordable place with the basics covered. Getting around from here is easy, and my room was clean and well kept. After a long day, I could relax and sleep well in a genuinely comfortable bed. Good value for the price, without a bunch of extras I didn’t need.

The room was lovely, quiet and clean, and the location is brilliant. This was my second visit, and the reception team were the best part: every person working there was friendly, accommodating and so lovely. I highly recommend it.