Pillo Rooms Serviced Apartments - Manchester Arena

Room 102 was easy to check into, and the apartment was clean, sleek and well equipped. There was an ironing board and iron, all the kitchen utensils, a fridge and a freezer. They had plenty of coffee and tea, a few milk sachets and some sugar, though the sugar was very limited. There’s ample free parking, and driving to places is easy, while walking is harder. Manchester is a strange comfort that way, large but small! ;) The heating was poor, though. There are three heaters, one each for the kitchen, bedroom and passage, and only the passage one worked. It was October, and I managed with a cold bedroom because I’d brought heavy clothes, especially as I’m currently sick. The Wi-Fi didn’t work until the last few hours. There was no hand wash in the kitchen, just extremely watered down dishwashing liquid, which was shocking. I understand wanting to make a profit, but really? For £140/£150, plus a £99 damage deposit, that heating isn’t acceptable for winter. On the final night, fireworks went on for two hours. As I’m typing this, it’s been 2 hours and 17 minutes nonstop, just 20 or so metres away. I wish I was joking. I also spotted a silverfish in the mop and ironing board storage closet. The bedroom having no heat caught up with me that night too. I woke with a sore throat, not great with a three-hour drive home ahead. Otherwise, it was genuinely a nice stay, and a steal if you can overlook those small things and you’re picky like me. It could easily be four stars with a few fixes. I’d recommend finding somewhere better for Winter. It’s perfect for Summer, but the cold months aren’t worth getting sick over.

The location is far from Manchester city centre, and the street noise came through the poor soundproofing. Alarms went off overnight, and I even saw a rat on the street outside. At checkout we were asked to tie up the rubbish and take it out, which felt insulting for the price. Check-in was hostile and unwelcoming. They only told us after taking payment that guests had to show a passport or driving licence, and the approach felt aggressive and deliberately misleading. Visitors aren’t allowed under any circumstances, which made the place feel more like a prison than accommodation. Those restrictions weren’t clear when booking, and raise serious concerns about transparency and fairness. I’d strongly advise against staying here. It felt like taking money mattered more than basic hospitality. There are much better, cheaper and more honest options elsewhere in Manchester. Avoid at all costs.

The apartment was spacious and nice, but the cleanliness and maintenance were very poor. We arrived with dirty sheets, a dirty kitchen and utensils, and a filthy toilet. There was hair in the bath and its corners hadn’t been washed. Mold or fungus was growing from underneath the bathroom tiles. Customer service was poor, and it was a horrible experience with kids. They admitted they hadn’t been able to do a proper clean or maintenance for a few months because the place had been occupied.

The host’s communication was spot on, which made check-in and the stay seamless. I’d seen a few bad reviews and was a little concerned, but our experience was fantastic. The apartment was impeccably clean and modern, with lots of space and very comfortable beds. My kids loved it, and it’s great for families. It’s a peaceful area with easy parking, and restaurants and plenty of shops are just a short walk away. The layout is thoughtful, with wall sockets in convenient spots, plus a washing machine and dryer. We had everything we needed for a comfortable couple of nights. I’ve booked various apartments in Manchester through Late Rooms before, and this one stands out by far for comfort and convenience. Huge thanks to the host for a lovely place. Highly recommended!