Manchester City Centre (Deansgate Lock)

Rack Rate: £42.95 room only
Leisure Facilities: None
Internet Access: Dial up (credit card)
Parking: Free on-site
Rooms:  Spacious with 6ft beds
Location:  On the edge of the city
Tel:  0870 990 6504
Website:  www.travelinn.co.uk
Amount paid: £42.95 room only
Booked through: Company website
Other Info:  (formerly GMEX 2 Premier Lodge)

My Verdict: October 2002 & several times since

Jarvis Piccadilly, Manchester

Rack Rate: £129 room only, £200 for a suite
Leisure Facilities: Pool, Sauna, Gym, Solarium, Steam Room
Internet Access: Dial up: wireless in public areas
Parking: Limited free on-site or NCP Car Park behind hotel
Rooms:  Small but comfortable
Location:  Central, adjacent to Piccadilly Gardens
Tel:  0161 236 8414
Website: www.jarvispiccadilly.co.uk
Amount paid: £68 bed & breakfast (weekend rate)

My Verdict: April 2001

Britannia Hotel, Manchester 

Rack Rate Category: High
Internet Access: Dial up
Leisure Facilities: None
Parking:  NCP Car-Park
Rooms:  Average, upper floors have skylights
Location:  Central, short walk from Piccadilly Gardens
Tel: 0161 228 2288
Website: www.britanniahotels.com
Rate paid: Various - £45 - £60 Bed & Breakfast
Booked through: Company website

My Verdict, May 2001 and various other occasions

The Midland Hotel, Manchester

Rack Rate Category: High
Internet Access: Dial up
Leisure Facilities: Small but reasonable
Parking:  Discounted rate at GMEX NCP Car-Park
Rooms:  Excellent
Location:  Central
Tel:  0161 236 3333
Website: http://www.e-travelguide.info/midland/
Rate paid: £75 bed & breakfast
Booked through: Direct with Hotel

My Verdict: June 2003

Thistle Hotel, Manchester

Rack Rate: Varies dependent on stay
Leisure Facilities: Plunge & spa pool, sauna, solarium and work out facilities
Internet Access: Not Known
Parking: Discounted rate at NCP Car-Park
Rooms:  Very small
Location:  Central, opposite Piccadilly Gardens,
Tel:  0870 333 9139
Website:  www.thistlehotels.com
Amount paid: Courtesy of ITV
Booked through: Booked on my behalf

My Verdict: October 2001 & April 2002

Menzies Avant Hotel, East Manchester (Oldham)

Rack Rate: £120
Leisure Facilities: Pool, gym and activity classes, Aerobics studio, Sun shower
Internet Access: Dial-up
Parking: Free on-site
Rooms:  Very small
Location:  In Industrial estate close to M62
Tel:  0161 627 5500
Website:  www.menzies-hotels.co.uk
Amount paid:  £65 Bed & Breakfast
Booked through: www.activehotels.com

My Verdict: May 2004

Crowne Plaza, Manchester Airport
(review contributed by phil2001)

Rack Rate:  From £95
Leisure Facilities:  Pool, spa & fitness centre
Internet Access:  ISDN line
Parking: Free parking on site
Rooms:  Small, but including all the standard hotel room facilities including mini-bar
Location:  On Manchester Airport complex adjacent to terminal 3
Tel:  0870 400 9055
Website:  www.crowneplaza.com
Amount paid:  £45.09 (weekend)
Booked through: www.6c.com (part of the IC group websites)

Phil2001s verdict on Crowne Plaza, Manchester Airport