The Gardens Hotel, Manchester

55 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AP
3 star

Part of the CairnHotelGroup, the Hotel is in a prime location close to Piccadilly railway station. The Gardens Hotel is situated in the heart of Manchester, ove...

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£ Rooms from $84* per night
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7/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
8/10 Check-in process
7/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
8/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
6/10 Performance of staff
7/10 Overall experience
7/10 Overall value for money
  • 7/10 Derek (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Uckfield , GB on  June 23, 2008

    "Overall, a good place to stay with easy city access. Close to all transport - trains, trams and buses (including free ones around the city centre). I was perhaps unfortunate with the room I had, and others may be in a better condition. " (97571629)

    Nice clean city centre hotel. Good cooked breakfast. Staff were friendly and helpful.

    Let down by the hotel not attending to problems with decor after obvious water leaks down one wall. Wallpaper coming off the bedroom wall and ugly stains. Bathroom also had signs of water damage and cracked sink. Bathroom door would not close properly. TV had poor quality picture. I was surprised to find that access to the bedrooms was by stairs and lift which could be accessed before going past reception. This did not seem very secure. I don't mind a diy breakfast, but milk on the table wouldn't be too much of a problem, would it ? The view from the window was not very pleasent. Glass roof and hundreds of cigarette butts thrown from their rooms by law-breaking guests.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  August 4, 2008

    "I stayed here with my partner and 6 other friends no one had a bad word to say and would gladly recommend this hotel to others, and would be happy to stay here again ourselves, only thing is the temperature of the room." (97363703)

    Clean comfortable room, with a central location

    Room was very warm only bad point

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 24, 2008

    "Pluses and minuses---but great value for the money, given the location." (108049190)

    The staff were friendly, helpful and cooperative in every way. I could not have asked for better service. The location was extremely convenient, being at the major Manchester nexus of transportation routes. Many restaurants, pubs, cafes within short walking distance.

    The electronic key system was broken, requiring re-authorization of the pass-card every time one returned to the hotel. (entire 9 days of my stay) The room itself, while clean and well maintained, was not finished well, with a rather old carpet over loose flooring.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Family with young children) 

    on  July 15, 2008

    Good location, clean, cheap

    The cold tap didn't work. The room was boiling hot with the window closed, but when i opened it at 6am, there were people yelling and screaming outside the room. The bed was as hard as a rock.

  • 9/10 Craig (Solo business traveller) 

    from Manchester , GB on  January 27, 2008

    Room was well appointed, clean and spacious, a novelty for single rooms!

    Reception staff were not over friendly.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  June 30, 2008

    some repainting required on bathroom ceiling. other guests very noisy at 5am and could n't get back to sleep

  • 9/10 Lisa (Young couple) 

    from Nottingham , GB on  June 23, 2008

    "Very nice." (97489774)

    Location was great, room and bathroom was nice and clean

    The "double" bed seemed very small, I am only 5'7" and my feet were off the end of the bed! My husband is 6'1" and was quite uncomfortable. The width didn't seem like a double either?

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  June 21, 2008

    "Okay for a one off overnight stay." (97300578)

    Easy to book over the internet. Staff friendly and efficient. Good drink facilities in room.

    We booked a double room and got a twin. But nothing a bit of furniture removal couldn't solve. View from room was of waste pipes and other rooms.

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  June 7, 2008

    "Perfect for what we needed" (97905206)

    close to coach station, quick and easy to check in, big room.

    have to pay for breakfast after booking room. Decor needs updating. starange smell in reception

  • 3/10 Paul (Mature couple) 

    from Burley , GB on  May 30, 2008

    "OK for one night." (97037958)

    Location. Helpful staff on reception.

    The room was dirty. It faced onto an internal courtyard, so there was limited privacy. The lights were dodgy. The public areas are in a poor condition.

  • 5/10 Juhwan (Mature couple) 

    from Leicester , GB on  May 30, 2008

    staff was kind..

    it was a litte cold

  • 4/10 Tracy (Other) 

    from Staffordshire , GB on  May 21, 2008

    "If the Hotel spruced itself up a bit on landings & bedrooms I feel it would be a lovely place to stay as it is very conveniently located within Station & City Centre." (97641270)

    The Closeness to the Railway Station???

    Where do we start? The pictures on the Web Site must be very old as the Hotel was nothing like. The Wallpaper in the corridors was half ripped of in places, the paintwork dirty and shabby. The rooms were musty and the furniture quite antequated with lots of holes in. In fairness the reception area was very pleasant and modern compared to the rest of the hotel! The hotel sign outside needs repairing as it only reads HOT at the moment!

  • 8/10 John (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Issy-les-moulineaux , FR on  May 16, 2008

    "Generally more positive than negative." (97150350)

    Big room for single person! Generally clean and tidy room. Quite pleasant meal (though see below). Good service in restaurant.

    Threadbare carpet on some stairs was not very fetching. Lack of double glazing in room fronting onto main street meant the very frequent passage of emergency vehicles did not go unnoticed during the night... Better maintenance/painting around bedroom windows would normally be expected in such a hotel. Thought should be given to providing an appropriate sauce with meals - and rosé wine (not 'rose wine'!) should, of course, be served chilled!!

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 10, 2008

    The location very central in the town. The quality of the room.

  • 3/10 Alan (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Smethwick , GB on  March 17, 2008

    There wasn't much to like about it but the hotels Central Manchester location was probably the best thing going for it.

    Small room, noisy hotel

  • 3/10 Jer (Group of adult friends) 

    from Co mayo , IE on  March 13, 2008

    "good location but thats about it!!! dont leave valuables in your room as they wont stay there, also crap bar........." (97719934)

    no safe in room

  • 7/10 Malcolm (Family with older children) 

    from Swansea , GB on  March 2, 2008

    location

    quite noisy in the night and television very antiquated

  • 3/10 Peter (Other) 

    from Belfast , GB on  February 3, 2008

    the room was warm and quiet.

    no lights worked, the whole room was tired looking, nothing a lick of paint wouldn't resolve, the bathroom sealant was black with mold.

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  January 22, 2008

    Close to the station and to our offices

    In need of renovation

  • 8/10 Lillen (Group of work colleagues) 

    from Glasgow , GB on  January 18, 2008

    The room was very clean and tidy, it was fit for the purpose required.

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  December 5, 2007

    Noisy at night

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  November 1, 2007

    "Good value for money, staff helpful and friendly." (97092169)

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  October 20, 2007

    "The location is ideal for visiting central Manchester and the hotel was easy to find. The room had good facilities and was a comfortable size for two people . The food and beverage prices were good value for money with the possible exception of breakfast." (99773583)

    The room was comfortable and clean

    The central heating was too high and the window was difficult to open

  • 6/10 Paula (Group of adult friends) 

    from Liverpool , GB on  August 3, 2007

    good location

    hotel was fairly grubby

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  August 2, 2007

    nothing to complain about!

    not enough light

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Same sex couple) 

    on  July 16, 2007

    "Generally a bit depressing. Breakfast not included in the price. Wouldn't recommend for more than an overnight." (99528151)

    Good location.

    Dirty windows looking into a gloomy central courtyard.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 13, 2007

    The room was clean and had everything I needed. I also liked the fact that reception held onto my bag until my room was ready, so I could go out for a walk without having to drag my suitcase with me.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 5, 2007

    "The staff were friendly and efficient but the facilities basic." (99205055)

    Basic but clean.

    Poor ventilation and very poor reception on tv

  • 10/10 Christina (Young couple) 

    from Malmo , SE on  December 19, 2007

    "Centrally situated close to the trainstation, buses, shopping and pubs. Very friendly and helpfull staff. Clean and simple. Good value for the money." (97342792)

    Centrally situated close to the trainstation, buses, shopping and pubs. Very friendly and helpfull staff. Clean and simple.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 6/10 Frank stefan (Young couple) 

    from Brailsford , GB on  June 27, 2007

    Its central location

    No parking

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  February 10, 2007

    Great location, easy to get to everything

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  June 19, 2007

    The hotel was in a good location

    The staff at the reception desk were not very plesant

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  May 7, 2007

    Location

    Noisy during the night, people continued partying in their rooms and in the corridor after the pubs had closed.

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 27, 2007

    "The hotel was adequate for a one night stay but I do not think I would have like to stay more than one night." (99090872)

    It was centrally located for the shops and the MEN

    Shower would only run on cold water + no fan in the bathroom, lighting in the room was very poor, TV did not work properly and no remote control for TV.

  • 7/10 Rachel m (Young couple) 

    from Alexandria , United Kingdom;GB on  April 25, 2007

    "Overall our stay was good." (99097621)

    The hotel is situated near the MEN Arena and shopping centre.

    The room was a bit dull, could be doing with a lick of paint.

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Same sex couple) 

    on  March 25, 2007

    "The staff were friendly and helpfull. The room was quite big and had all the amenities you needed for an overnight stay." (99349359)

    The hotel was near the Manchester Evening News Arena and the shops.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 24, 2007

    "RM 123 - Tiny room, a real squash, TV impossible to see unless lying in bed, only one lamp in the room worked, no hot water in the shower in the morning, no security lock on the inside of the door - hotel staff could have entered the room at any time. Shabby decor, peeling wallpaper, generally neglected." (99865838)

    Location is good.

    Generally old and shabby, neglected rooms.

  • 8/10 Michael (Group of adult friends) 

    from Kinsale road , Ireland;IE on  March 22, 2007

    "excellent location.. perfect for people interested in Manchester's night life shopping and right next to the tram to old trafford.." (99659369)

    location is very good for trams buses shopping and night life

    very old fashioned and stuffy

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 21, 2007

    "Conveniently sited, close to mainline station, tram system and {Piccadilly Gardens, but generally dingy and cramped overall impression" (99140090)

    NA

    Cramped, with non-functioning cold water bath tap

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 20, 2007

    Convenience to station & local amenities

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  March 17, 2007

    bath

    expensive for what it was, receptionist bit rude

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  February 17, 2007

    "The staff at the desk were terse and perfunctory, not very friendly or informative, certainly not approachable. The area was perfect for us on our first visit to Manchester. We were given a twin room despite ordering a double, but were too pushed for time to ask for a change. I would have liked it to have been made clearer that the payment was not taken before we arived, as I had thought that I had already paid, and so was unprepared to pay at the desk." (99515003)

    It was clean, with all facilities in working order

    It was far too hot in the room - and I had ordered a double room, and was given a twin.

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  February 4, 2007

    "Adequate for my trip but would not reccomend other than for central location." (99157861)

    Tea/coffee making facilities in room. Basic but clean room.

    Cramped room, poorly laid out, when you opened wardrobe it hit the door.

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  January 4, 2008

    Excellent location and freindly staff however the hotel i felt wasnt very clean, the room had a musty smell and could clearly do with a lick of paint!

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Susan (Young couple) 

    from Redcar , United Kingdom;GB on  January 25, 2007

    The closeness to the MEN Arena and Centre

    It was a smoking room but neither myself or my husband smoke, so the smell wasn't very pleasant

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  January 19, 2007

    I was pleasantly suprised at the standard of the accommodation. The room was also at the back and was extremely quiet considering the location of the hotel.

  • 7/10 Kevin (Young couple) 

    from Accrington , GB on  December 12, 2007

    "Nice clean hotel, well situated. Athough it wasn't particularly cheap, it is the going rate for a room in the centre of Manchester on a Saturday night. Staff could be a little friendlier!" (97437140)

    It was central to the G-Mex, restaurants & pubs.

    The empty bottles being put out at 1am and then what sounded like the binwagon collecting it at 7.30am! chink chink chink!!!!!

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 4/10 Timothy (Family with older children) 

    from Guernsey , GB on  December 12, 2007

    "Reception undermanned, bar staff not always in attendance. General shortage of staff. Dated bedroom with strong smell of cigarette smoke and very stuffy." (97473432)

    Location was good, plenty of bars and restaurants within easy walking distance.

    Never have I seen so many Cobwebs in a hotel room. Shower pretty useless.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Same sex couple) 

    on  January 17, 2007

    The room was clean and warm

    We had an internal room which we had never experienced before, never again! It was very claustrophobic and stuffy and the extractor fan didn't work which made it worse. The bathroom was average, the shelf came off the wall and the shower wasn't very good.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  December 11, 2007

    "terrible, poor sleep from all noise from other rooms heard very eality, bad smell in room, lamps not working, poor lighting list goes on" (97751140)

    smell in room malodorous,

    0 of 2 people found this review helpful:

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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