Hotel Review: Cow Hollow Hotel, Manchester.
Overview
As I’ve written numerous times before, whenever I go somewhere I always tend to look first at LHW (Leading Hotels of the World - https://www.lhw.com). There was indeed a property in Salford (The Lowry Hotel - https://www.lhw.com/hotel/Lowry-Hotel-Manchester-England) and as nice as it looked, I really wanted somewhere right in the city centre. I therefore defaulted to my other ‘go-to’ (TripAdvisor - www.tripadvisor.co.uk) to see what the top hotels were in central Manchester. I soon spotted the Cow Hollow Hotel, not least for the captivating name (named after a neighbourhood district in San Francisco apparently), but realising this was voted (currently) #4 out of 123 in Manchester for Traveller Ranking and #1 for Best Value I decided quite quickly that would be the place to stay. A fully restored and converted Victorian brick warehouse, this really is a cool and hip boutique hotel.
Would I stay here again? Yes, in an instant, albeit the (standard) room is very small and the bathroom extremely narrow but all facilities are of an excellent standard and it was a very enjoyable, but short, stay.
Location
The hotel is located right in the Northern Quarter, only a 5/10 minute walk from Piccadilly Station depending on who you listen to - the hotel website said 5 minutes but Google Maps 10 minutes. Arriving by train to Piccadilly, I thought I would settle the distance argument by walking it myself, but on getting off the train into torrential rain I opted for a few minute Uber (https://www.uber.com/gb/en/) ride instead (which was only £4 for an Executive vehicle). Piccadilly is a very large train station so it might well be that there was a more appropriate exit to reach the hotel quicker as opposed to the one Google was suggesting.
There are so many bars and restaurants on the doorstep, this really is a great central location and within walking distance to many of Manchester’s key sites and main shopping district. The hotel opened in early 2018 I understand.
Accommodation
There are only 16 rooms in the hotel located across three floors (basement, first and second floors). Although I didn’t see a basement room (mine was #13 on the second floor) I imagine these may feel oppressive as the windows are literally just above the pavement level on the side street. There are two categories of room (standard and deluxe); all with Hypnos king size beds and goose down duvets and pillows with Egyptian cotton bedding. The en-suite bathroom had a bronze rainfall shower with thick, fluffy white bath towels with REN toiletries (https://www.renskincare.com/). The standard rooms are around 13-14 square meters with the deluxe between 18-20 meters. My room had vast high ceilings with natural wooden beams, this really helped “open up” the very compact (in depth) en-suite, albeit it had a window and shutters for privacy.
Mine was a standard room and at £119 for a Sunday night (including the breakfast bang/tray) was very good value. The room was very small, literally just enough room to walk round the bed (and watch out for the hidden safe under the bed, in case you stub your toes) but all beautifully designed with a very good standard of fittings all round. There wasn’t a wardrobe but three hangers on the back of the door and the bathroom (though again perfectly appointed and designed) was incredibly narrow. If I was coming back as a single traveller I would stay here for one or two nights, but not with ‘Mrs’ ThePrivateTraveller as it would be a very tight squeeze for two people in the bedroom and two using the bathroom would need some serious tactical manoeuvring around the inward opening doors.
There was a large Smart TV with free Netflix (https://www.netflix.com), John Lewis (https://www.johnlewis.com) Bluetooth music speaker and a Jacob Jensen phone (https://jacobjensendesign.com). There were quirky design influences throughout the hotel and room, not least being given a small pouch of sweets along with the room key and both sparkling and still water provided in the room (reusable glass bottles). There was clearly a lot of thought put into the design of the Cow Hollow and also many considerations about sustainability too.
Although no air conditioning in the room, there was a modern wall heater which could easily be adjusted up or down to get a temperature that suited. The windows, mine were to the side street, were very well insulated against noise - there was a sheer roller blind as well as a more blackout roller blind in a cavity between the exterior original window and a new glazed window, as well as original wooden shutters. I hadn’t expected them for the type of hotel, but there were two sets of Cow Hollow branded bedroom slippers too, a nice touch.
Food & Drink
The room rated included a free gourmet continental breakfast bag brought to your room. This included a granola and yoghurt pot, orange juice in a small glass bottle (which obviously you were asked not to take away), a fresh chocolate brioche and a piece of fruit. You also have the choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate when your breakfast is brought, the time you want arranged at check-in. I opted for 7:30am and it was delivered right on time with the drink as requested (albeit the temperature of hot chocolate doesn’t travel well up two floors).
Complimentary hot drinks are available self-service in the downstairs lounge area; available to guests 24 hours a day. There is also a complimentary glass of Prosecco and nibbles for guests each evening between 6 - 8pm in the cocktail bar (I got this from the website, it wasn’t mentioned on arrival albeit I did arrive pre 8pm), which is basically an area right off the street level which also houses the small reception desk. I think it’s this same bar area that also goes by the name of Aviary Café during the day.
When you’re in as central a hotel as this, you don’t need an on-site restaurant with so many great options on your doorstep but it’s nice to have the bar there which looked very well stocked and comfortably seated, though small.
Facilities & Service
Nothing could be faulted within the hotel, a great welcome on arrival (even a WhatsApp message late afternoon to find out what my check-in time would be). There was free super fast WiFi throughout the hotel. There was ample information in the room, and again all nicely designed with a quirky tone of voice. Although the room didn’t come with an iron and ironing board (the first thing ‘Mrs’ ThePrivateTraveller always asks for in any hotel, if not already there) there was a press-style cupboard on the landing which housed one to borrow. Not quite sure where it would have gone in the room, if plugged in and erected I’m not sure there would have been room to move. The quality, design and service of this hotel however vastly outweighs the very compact nature of the standard room.
ThePrivateTraveller’s top tips (any areas for improvement?)
Very difficult to find anything to recommend. The only thing, considering what else there was in the room and bathroom (i.e. so well appointed) I would say was bathrobes.
ThePrivateTraveller’s absolute highlights:
Such an extremely comfortable bed - great duvet.
All the REN toiletries - hand wash and hand cream above the sink; shampoo, conditioner and body wash in the large walk-in shower (literally the depth of the bathroom, albeit a very, very small narrow one).
Everything spotlessly clean.
Great service from welcome to departure (being personally shown to the room).
Useful website links:
TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk
The Cow Hollow Hotel https://www.cowhollow.co.uk
Leading Hotels of the World https://www.lhw.com
The Lowry Manchester https://www.thelowryhotel.com
Marketing Manchester http://www.marketingmanchester.com
Manchester United https://www.manutd.com/en
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