Manchester is incredibly popular for live gigs and huge concerts with global, worldwide stars visiting from afar. So many have graced the many stages that are dotted around one of my most favourite UK cities. Most recently we followed Arctic Monkey’s on their latest leg of shows in over 4 years and I’d been so excited to see them as soon as they announced their worldwide tour earlier this year. We managed to get hold of the highly coveted tickets for the Manchester Arena gigs one Friday night in September, still drowsy from our summer of festivals in Europe and still yearning for some musicality, we knew we wanted to make a weekend of it and stay over at the Roomzzz Corn Exchange, Manchester.
The added touch of a “deli-style” area where you can pick up snacks or freshly made lasagna’s and cottage pies to take up to the apartment made it even easier to enjoy this place, especially if you were staying for a few days.
The bonus of the tram stops outside make exploring this city even easier, but hey, the city is great to wander round on foot too!
We were very pleasantly surprised with our apartment. Whilst the theme of green and dark woods ran through the hallways, the rooms gave off pinks and purples in contrast and exuded a more modern feel compared to its outer-space. Everything was spotlessly clean which allowed me to relax even more (I’m a sucker for a clean hotel!)
Armed with a fully equipped kitchen and dining table, it allows you to create your very own homemade meals from the comfort of your own home away from home or simply make yourself a quick brew when you wake up in the morning – it allows you to be as flexible as you like! The open-plan living space is pretty neat too, with a huge tv and sofa, you can get cosy if you prefer a quiet night in and not a night on the tiles.
I have to say that the bathroom is a highlight. With a separate bath and shower, the powerful shower the morning after the gig was the perfect way to wake up and refresh myself after a couple of beers the night before.
If you’re running low on time you’ll also find, right inside the Corn Exchange, plenty of restaurants without even having to step out of the building. There’s a Banyan, Salvi’s, Pizza Express and even more!
The great thing about Manchester is that it has eateries and bars around the city in abundance, including great independents too! Whilst looking for food to eat there were so many spots to choose from that we had to do a few laps around the block of the Northern Quarter before we could decide. Eventually after scrolling through our trusty TripAdvisor app we found the highly recommended “Terrace”, it’s not down the most pretty street of the Northern Quarter but it certainly had menu that packed a punch and I’ve not even got to the drinks menu (lets just say their cocktails blew my socks off!) With plenty of Craft beers on tap, Mr C was very happy indeed. It seemed this place ticked lots of boxes!
I ordered steak frites (rare of course!) with was just shy of a tenner, and James ordered a burger and chips – both of which come thoroughly recommended.
We wandered around the Northern Quarter for a little while longer, falling in and out of a few pubs – James was adamant he try a few more IPA’s to add to his repertoire. The architecture, graffiti and all-round quirkiness of this part of town is definitely a draw and it is perhaps my favourite part of this city that exudes personality more than charm.
The Arctic Monkey’s gig at Arena was electrifying, seeing everyone wandering around Manchester beforehand in their AM tee’s sparked even more excitement for the night ahead. Having been 4 years since their last, epic nearly 2-year tour I was unbelievably thrilled when I managed to get tickets for my fave band (un the whole entire universe.) And, whilst Alex Turner shies away from talking to the crowd, his fast-paced lyrics and snake-like hips certainly give rise to the thrilled crowd. I came away with a real buzz that I needed to go and sleep it off in our big comfy bed!
Oh and the bed, the bed was pure bliss. Ever so comfy, I drifted off in to a deep slumber without a care in the world! The thick curtains didn’t even alert me to the fact it was morning, and I woke up to the sound of my alarm buzzing at half past 9 (which is unheard of for me!) And although our check out was 11am I certainly didn’t want to get out of bed in a hurry.
The beauty of Roomzzz is not only can you whip up your own brekkie in your own fully equipped kitchen, they also provide a complimentary continental breakfast which is available downstairs in the foyer. Pick up a croissant or a fruit pastry, a delicious yoghurt, fruit and, of course, a well-needed coffee for when you have a banging headache in the morning. (I feel you, we’ve all been there!) Take it back up to your room so you can enjoy it in the peace and quiet or plonk yourself on one of the comfy sofas that you find in the reception.
Check out is at 11am so it allows you a chance to have breakfast and pack without rushing, but there is the opportunity to pay extra for a late checkout which is pretty, reasonably priced. Also, don’t forget to get your car parking ticket stamped when you park in the Manchester Q-Park (Deansgate North, 2 Chapel St, M3 7WJ) as you will get a discounted rate when you leave.
If you’re thinking of heading to Manchester for a weekend away, be it a romantic one, a weekend with the girls or a base for when you’re going to a gig, I’d highly recommend this place if you’re looking for good location and convenience, good quality for a very good price too. You can book here.
Bee
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*Our stay was provided to us free of charge but all thoughts and experiences are my own.
