THOUSANDS of us expats have flown through Manchester Airport as a gateway to the UK or beyond.
RUNWAY DREAMS: Soon after landing you can be in the comfort of a Radisson room for the night
Sometimes the flight times in or out of this major European hub are none too sociable…so thank goodness for Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport.
THERE’S something quite satisfying about watching the aeroplane ballet unfold on the tarmac of Britain's Manchester Airport.
From the window of our Superior Room at arguably the hub's most convenient hotel, we get to see various airlines filling with passengers and making their way to the runway for take-off.
From the window of our Superior Room at arguably the hub's most convenient hotel, we get to see various airlines filling with passengers and making their way to the runway for take-off.
COLLAGE COURSES: One of the food options is this venue where breakfast is a generous spread
Just don't get too drawn in so you could miss your own check-in, onward train…or breakfast.
While the former of those have serious consequences, it would be a crying shame to miss out on the first meal of of the day down in Collage.
A British brasserie with a “twist”, it offers an extensive buffet with custom egg options and you can sit either at tables with more views of the airport activity or slightly more intimate booths.
The food and drink spread caters to several nationalities and ranges from pancakes and muffins to cold deli meats and smoked fish, a choice of local cheeses, a traditional English cooked breakfast, detox juices and cereals. Should you feel the urge, there’s even the facility to make your own Bloody Mary.
While the former of those have serious consequences, it would be a crying shame to miss out on the first meal of of the day down in Collage.
A British brasserie with a “twist”, it offers an extensive buffet with custom egg options and you can sit either at tables with more views of the airport activity or slightly more intimate booths.
The food and drink spread caters to several nationalities and ranges from pancakes and muffins to cold deli meats and smoked fish, a choice of local cheeses, a traditional English cooked breakfast, detox juices and cereals. Should you feel the urge, there’s even the facility to make your own Bloody Mary.
WARM WELCOME: Little m is this Radisson's bar where you can also enjoy a snacks menu
Little m - the hotel’s other F&B outlet, immediately next-door, is a cosy yet spacious and stylish bar with fashioned with dark wood decor, splashes of colour on walls and furnishing, TVs screening news and sport and a menu of light snacks and pizza.
If all that sounds like too much effort - or your timing doesn’t comply - an extensive room service menu covers most of the restaurant output and pretty much promises whatever you seek.
That sense of convenience stretches to the location of the hotel itself.
Something of a landmark, this 360-room Radisson is easily reached on foot through covered moving walkways linking the terminals and the airport railway and bus terminal.
That makes it a popular pit-stop for leisure and business travellers and a comfortable bridge into returning home or heading out of the UAE - not least as both Emirates and Etihad operate frequent services through Manchester.
If all that sounds like too much effort - or your timing doesn’t comply - an extensive room service menu covers most of the restaurant output and pretty much promises whatever you seek.
That sense of convenience stretches to the location of the hotel itself.
Something of a landmark, this 360-room Radisson is easily reached on foot through covered moving walkways linking the terminals and the airport railway and bus terminal.
That makes it a popular pit-stop for leisure and business travellers and a comfortable bridge into returning home or heading out of the UAE - not least as both Emirates and Etihad operate frequent services through Manchester.
FEELING SUPERIOR: Space and comfort - and a great view of the airport activity if you choose the right room
A range of budgets are catered for with room options in this four-star featuring Standard, Superior and Premium to Family.
Six Executives Suites also include dedicated check-in services on the ninth floor with breakfast buffet, Nespresso coffee machine and access to a stylish executive lounge boasting panoramic views of the airport.
Airport-facing room number 750 - a Superior - proves ample enough for this writer with a sumptuous queen double bed and plenty of space around it to unpack and store luggage.
In the corner, a lamp-equipped desk with chair offers a spot at which to write any last minute postcards or finish off paperwork.
Standard rooms and above include an iron, ironing board and trouser press, a safe and hairdryer, plus coffee and tea-making facilities. Decor, fixtures and furniture follow a contemporary but warm style that continues to the bathroom.
Six Executives Suites also include dedicated check-in services on the ninth floor with breakfast buffet, Nespresso coffee machine and access to a stylish executive lounge boasting panoramic views of the airport.
Airport-facing room number 750 - a Superior - proves ample enough for this writer with a sumptuous queen double bed and plenty of space around it to unpack and store luggage.
In the corner, a lamp-equipped desk with chair offers a spot at which to write any last minute postcards or finish off paperwork.
Standard rooms and above include an iron, ironing board and trouser press, a safe and hairdryer, plus coffee and tea-making facilities. Decor, fixtures and furniture follow a contemporary but warm style that continues to the bathroom.
VIEW FROM THE TOP: Book an executive room and you get access to the lounge with an outlook to savour
Facing the bed is a large HD television while there are enough USB points and power sockets - with the same plug pin format as the UAE - to charge your phone and other devices.
Should you be in Manchester for more than one night, the Radisson is actually well placed for city centre visiting. Just 15km away via regular train, bus and tram services, the hotel also has 220 on-site parking spaces.
And it is close to the M56 with easy links to the national motorway network for exploring more of northern England.
Any guests seeking a physical rather than caffeine wake-up - or with kids to wear out - should head for the Pace Health Club.
This includes an indoor swimming suitable for lane swimming, a sauna and steam room. The gym area also boasts free weights and a good range of cardiovascular and resistance machines.
Should you be in Manchester for more than one night, the Radisson is actually well placed for city centre visiting. Just 15km away via regular train, bus and tram services, the hotel also has 220 on-site parking spaces.
And it is close to the M56 with easy links to the national motorway network for exploring more of northern England.
Any guests seeking a physical rather than caffeine wake-up - or with kids to wear out - should head for the Pace Health Club.
This includes an indoor swimming suitable for lane swimming, a sauna and steam room. The gym area also boasts free weights and a good range of cardiovascular and resistance machines.
NEW WAYS: The Brain Box offers and alternative take on the traditional meeting room for visiting executives
Perhaps unsurprisingly, hotel General Manager Alastair Campbell says that 65 per cent of his clientele are leisure travellers, including plenty from the UAE.
"We have a high volume of guests staying just the night for flying in or out of the airport,” he confirms.
After many years of passing by the walkway reception to the Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport without heading in, it is good to confirm it delivers an ideal and comfortable option for us home country arrivals or UAE-bound passengers seeking an overnight sanctuary.
For many passengers facing unsociable landing or take-off times, it is likely to remain a sight for tired eyes for a long time to come.
DETAILS:
TO discover more about Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport go to https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-manchester-airport?cid=a:se+b:gmb+c:emea+i:local+e:rdb+d:ukirwe+h:MANZQ
FOR reservations you can also call +44 161 490 5000 or email [email protected]
ONE night for two people in a Superior Room, with runway view and breakfast, costs Dh1,005 (based on September 12 check-in).
"We have a high volume of guests staying just the night for flying in or out of the airport,” he confirms.
After many years of passing by the walkway reception to the Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport without heading in, it is good to confirm it delivers an ideal and comfortable option for us home country arrivals or UAE-bound passengers seeking an overnight sanctuary.
For many passengers facing unsociable landing or take-off times, it is likely to remain a sight for tired eyes for a long time to come.
DETAILS:
TO discover more about Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport go to https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-manchester-airport?cid=a:se+b:gmb+c:emea+i:local+e:rdb+d:ukirwe+h:MANZQ
FOR reservations you can also call +44 161 490 5000 or email [email protected]
ONE night for two people in a Superior Room, with runway view and breakfast, costs Dh1,005 (based on September 12 check-in).
