Got a festive night out or shopping trip planned? Celeb-favourite hotel Dakota Manchester is the ideal base for a stylish stay in the city
You’ve probably noticed the Dakota Manchester popping up on your social feed recently. It’s fast becoming the go-to stay for style conscious influencers and reality TV stars across the country. Everyone from Corrie’s Alan Halsall to Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague, Tommy Fury and Maura Higgins have been spotted here.
But with good reason. Manchester’s latest luxury boutique hotel, Dakota, located just a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly station, is sophisticated, lavish and, thanks to its rich and famous clientele, undeniably cool.
The hotel is unmissable as you approach off Ducie Street. The dark-timbered building with golden D motif and leafy exterior sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the ageing brick buildings that surround it. But it’s exquisitely finished and certainly gives you a great first impression.
The location is ideal, actually. With the Northern Quarter and Spinningfields just walking distance away if you fancy a late-night tipple, and if you’re in town for shopping then Market Street is also just a short walk.
A room with a view
Plush furnishings, luxurious bathrooms, king-size beds and vanity areas all feature in the rooms at Dakota Manchester. Subtle colours keep that intimate vibe going but beautifully finished décor and ample facilities make you gasp with delight at the ease and comfort of it all.
The Executive Suite was impressive, and definitely worth the upgrade if you can. An elegant corner space with plenty of homely comforts and fabulous views of the city skyline. Featuring a super-king size bed, large lounge area, and beautiful en suite with marble topped bath, separate rainfall shower and double sink layout.
A Nespresso machine, luxury Dakota-branded toiletries, full Sky Sports and Sky Movies package with a 55” Smart TV on the wall, fitted with all the necessary connectivity you’d need, and a complementary stocked fridge are the little touches you’ll love and remember.
The sumptuously soft bed was enormous and fitted with crisp cotton linen making it super comfy and with great blackout curtains, you’ll forget what time or day it is…
If you really want to push the boat out, you can now book a stay in the newly added Grand Deluxe Suite – officially the largest and grandest suite in the city – positioned on the 8th floor of the hotel with its own private terrace and a dedicated host and chauffeur service. The suite boasts its own secure corridor, a large living space, two bedrooms, three showers, a sunken jacuzzi bath, walk-in wardrobe and four TVs.
Foodie haven
Not just content on making a name for itself on the accommodation side, Dakota also has a lively bar and stylish grill restaurant downstairs, which is open to the public as well as guests of the hotel.
The low-lit bar is full of comfy sofas and funky prints with art donning the walls. Smartly-dressed waiters serve strong and tasty cocktails to your table.
Move into the adjoining restaurant and there is more bold and beautiful design. Leather booths and chairs offer a contemporary vibe with an open ceiling giving an industrial edge. But design aside you’re really at the Dakota Grill for the steak, which it claims is the best in Manchester. I can’t say I’ve tasted all the steak in the city to affirm that proclamation but it’s fantastic all the same. Succulent prime cuts cooked perfectly with a the right hint of smoky taste and all the usual accompaniments.
But all the food was equally delicious, especially the crispy duck salad from the starter menu and the king scallops with oriental ribs and pork crackling were simply divine. We also had the lamb rump with sweetbread, basil and goats cheese, and a very sizeable portion of Crème Brûlée for dessert.
Hats off to the chef, the food here is fine dining but not stuffy or overpriced; it’s effortlessly cool.
It’s definitely a win for the hospitality trade outside of London – with just five of these hotels in existence and all of them located either in or North of Manchester.
Great food and wine, impeccable service and luxurious accommodation make it a fantastic city centre hotel, but Dakota has something special about it. If you want to treat yourself to a fancy stay pre-Christmas or want to live the celeb life for a night, go give it a whirl! You won’t be disappointed.
For more information or to make a booking, please visit https://www.dakotahotels.co.uk/manchester/.
