This new year the boyfriend and I stopped at the Malmaison, a Boutique Hotel in Manchester for a two night couples break and it was absolutely amazing. We made the most of their luxury hotel deals and got a great package for our room, the spa and dinner too.
Alice in Wonderland crossed with 50 Shades of Grey is how I would describe the Manchester Mal! I absolutely adored the decor all the way through the hotel, it was stunning down to every detail. The bar is sunken into the floor and surrounded by old leather sofas and the windows are strewn with recycled coffee bags and rope for curtains. It’s painfully cool and just the lobby bar makes you want to stay forever.
Upstairs the walls are lined with tasteful naughty black and white photos which are rather pleasing to look at and even the lifts are covered in checks and leather creating quite a trippy feel on your way up to your room.
The Room
We had an upgraded double room and it was beautiful. The tasteful monochrome bedding and fixtures created a relaxing space and the crazy black and white checked bathroom utilised space to create a clever concealed toilet area and house a large bath/shower with a classic looking sink.
Greeted by a chilled bottle of fizz on arrival we placed down our cases and settled in. With a large flat screen on the wall, well stocked mini bar and comfortable mattress we were well away and almost didn’t want to leave the room!
It was quiet,comfortable and spacious – we couldn’t have asked for any more. The only thing that I would have improved would be the lights above mirrors to help makeup application in the evening or on a dark morning – maybe a separate stronger light above the bathroom sink might help things along a little or even a light up vintage stand mirror on the dresser!
The Spa
On New Year’s Eve we booked into the spa for some luxury treatments and major relaxation. Down in the basement you’ll find Le Petit Spa and Malmaison’s Gym which are both complimentary for those staying at the hotel (apart from treatments).
Normally I’d be straight in to the gym these days but as it was a special occasion I swapped my sneakers and sports bra for a pair of slippers and a robe (found in the spa changing rooms ready to wear) and settled down for an afternoon of pampering. We were taken through to a couples treatment room where we enjoyed a full body scrub and an hour’s full body massage with hot stones together.
I’ve had a number of massages in my time and this was honestly the best I’ve ever experienced. When we came out we were both in a state of total relaxation and were gently lead upstairs for our Champagne lunch which was delicious and the perfect way to snap back to reality after our treatments.
After lunch we wandered back downstairs to use the Sanarium for a while and relax in the large leather massage chairs with our complimentary magazines and herbal tea in the Zen Lounge – pure bliss.
It was such a fantastic experience and I’d certainly book again. The Manchester Mal is right up my street – i’m on a mission to try all of their hotels across the country…one of them is set inside an old Prison (say whaaat?!)!
If you’re looking for a painfully cool, incredibly comfortable and slightly naughty weekend away then the Manchester Mal is for you. Did I mention it’s just 5 minutes walk away from the centre and all those wonderful shops too? You’re welcome.
