Review of Manchester Hotel and Spa (Macdonald Hotel)

Manchester Hotel and Spa (Macdonald Hotel) - 3 bubbles

Sustainable Spy was invited to visit the Manchester Macdonald hotel and was a little disappointed by the din. Although she may have discovered the perfect venue for groups of gal-pals to enjoy some gossipy spa time together.

First impressions?

How did they welcome you?

What happens next?

Which treatments did you have?

What were the treatments like?

How did you feel afterwards?

What happens afterwards?

Long-term effects

Was it worth it?

What else could you have?

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

Any special features?

Who do you think would like it?

Why did you give the spa this rating?

Would you go again?

First impressions?

Not wonderful. I arrived around 11pm, in the lashing rain. The Macdonald is an enormous hotel, minutes away from Manchester Piccadilly station, and it felt cold, corporate and lacking in any modern or welcoming touches. An unenthusiastic receptionist speedily checked me in and directed me to my eigth-floor room, but when I arrived there, my key didn't work.

When I finally got into my room, there was no water and the mini-bar was locked. I over-looked a giant dual carriageway and the room felt "business-basic" rather than "spa-suite". Fortunately the windows are very well double-glazed so, after a good night's sleep, I woke feeling less grumpy.

Breakfast was a buffet affair with plenty of choice and the coffee was good. I only had fruit and yoghurt though, as I didn't want to overload before my spa experience. After securing a late check-out, I scurried back up to my room, packed and took the special spa-only lift down to the spa reception.

How did they welcome you?

Loudly and enthusiastically. I was behind a mum and daughter and a group of friends, but we all got checked in very efficiently.

The spa-lift takes you to the reception area; on the right is a candle-lit corridor which leads to the treatment rooms and on the left is a spacious seated area. There are piles of glossy magazines to flick through. While I was there, filling out my consultation form, a couple were feasting on a breakfast picnic hamper. Lunch is on offer in hamper-form too.

At the back of the seated area was the biggest relaxation room I've ever seen, with around a dozen loungers, covered with warm faux-fur throws to snuggle under. The room was candle-lit and decorated with Buddahs. Water features created a pleasant background sound.

You need to go back down in the lift -- or take the stairs -- to access the changing rooms, gym and thermal suite. The Manchester Hotel and Spa don't issue gym memberships at all. I imagine that this makes a huge difference at weekends and evenings, when hotel-gyms tend to get packed. Stepping out of the lift and into a chilly draught, I was cold. The receptionist told me later that the draught comes from the gym street-entrance, next to the gym. The draught is very noticeable and the rush of cold air swiftly hauls you out of any spa-bliss-state you may have been in!

The changing rooms were clean, with a wall of lockers and a good amount of changing space. GHD straighteners were available, along with good hairdryers. Annoyingly though, the lockers needed a pound and didn't have a safety pin or even band to attach to your wrist. I could easily imagine losing my key!

What happens next?

The receptionist gave me a robe and pair of spa slippers, which I stowed in my locker. I changed into my swimming costume, had a quick shower, and galloped through the changing room to try out the thermal suite.

I absolutely adore thermal suites. I love the sense of play that you feel trying out the different experiences, so I was looking forward to visiting this part of the spa and I wasn't disappointed. The thermal suite is tiled and subtly-lit, and as you enter, there are two heated tiled loungers (which, I imagine, are fiercely fought over at busy times).

I tried the infra-red sauna first, and as ever, whenever I try one of these, I cannot get over the feeling that I'm sitting awfully close to an old bathroom heater, but it was clean and spacious so if you like your heat infra-red, you'd like this. I scuttled out and headed for the aroma-steam room. You could happily fit at least eight in the steam room and I had a great chat with the mum and daughter I'd spotted earlier. My only complaint was that the aroma was a little Eau de Sock than anything more spa-ish.

Unfortunately, that day, the ice fountain was out of order; they hadn't put a sign up to explain that and there were a few puzzled spa-goers trying to work out where the ice was! When I asked on reception later, the receptionist explained that they were waiting for a part to arrive and told me that it would be fixed later in the week. But the room was still cool and a good place to take a break between the heat experiences.

The rock sauna was also clean, and of a good size, but the star, for me, was the sensation shower. More than two using it would be a squeeze, and again, I could see this building up serious traffic on a busy weekend. You step into the chamber and there are different buttons on the side to press that give different water-experiences; blasts of hot water gushed from the walls, a grapefruit-y-citrus-scented drench of cool water, a fantastic deluge of a full-pelt shower that massaged my head and shoulders while different lights changed colour - I loved it!

Finally, I lay on a heated lounger, wrapped in a towel. I realised at this point what a noisy room this was. Shrieks from anyone hitting the cool button in the sensation shower, chatter from everyone -- this is not the spa to visit if you're seeking peace and spa-hush. After 20 minutes, I decided to try the relaxation room. I changed out of my wet cossie (no spinner-dryer -- why?!) and into my robe. I braved the arctic chill of the corridor, and hopped into the lift.

I love a good relaxation room; it feels excitingly decadent to spend time, just lying there, relaxing and focussing on letting your mind still and become quiet. I was snug under my furry throw and felt happy in the candle light, listening to the water tinkle… until a therapist came in, and bellowed, "Is Lisa here? LISA? It's time for your TREATMENT!" Then she slammed the heavy fire-door. Which clunked loudly. Twice. This is probably the only relaxation room experience that the staff have ruined for me!

As I lay there, trying to enjoy the lovely room, over the next 30 minutes, various staff came in (slam-CLANG) and out (slam-CLANG) 12 times. Yes, I counted. At the end I was the only person in the room, but still the door slamming continued. It's nice that they were checking on the water, herbal teas and baskets of apples that were available, but I wished that they could not slam the doors! Finally it was my turn to be called. I shrugged off my throw and followed Sophie, my therapist, down the candle-lit corridor to the treatment room.

Which treatments did you have?

I had the Decléor Classic Aromatic Facial (60 minutes, £55).

What were the treatments like?

The treatment room was spacious, with a comfy couch, and it had that delicious spa-smell. Sophie asked me to de-robe and lie on the couch, so I did. I'm usually not much of a chatterer and like to lie back and enjoy treatments; however, the endless bing-bong-ing of the doorbell to the spa, which sounded as though it was situated directly outside my treatment room, plus the chatter outside and stomping of shoes along the corridor, made me give up hope of a relaxing facial, and so I had a chatty one instead.

Sophie, my therapist, was clearly very good at what she did. Sophie began with a firm massage around my eye socket area, something I'd never experienced before, and really enjoyed. Next, a lavender-scented double-cleanse which left my face feeling fresh and clean. Sophie followed that with a sweep of toner, and then gently placed gauze over my face before applying a warm and healthy-smelling wheatgerm, linseed and sunflower mask on top. I loved how the mask felt. Thick and pleasingly nourishing.

As the mask cooled it began to feel pleasantly heavy on my skin. Sophie then placed two lavender-scented eye pads over my eyes and began to massage my hands. This was a surprise, Sophie hadn't told me that she was going to do any massage, and her touch made me jump! Sophie massaged both my arms from fingertip to shoulder, which was pleasant. Sophie removed the mask by lifting the gauze and finished with an application of moisturiser.

How did you feel afterwards?

My face looked shiny with product and although my skin didn't feel greasy, it definitely felt over-moisturised.

What happens afterwards?

I trotted back downstairs, braving the cold corridor, took my things out of the locker and went back up to my room to check out. With my shiny face, I really appreciated the spa-only lift!

Long-term effects

My skin calmed down after a few hours and felt much softer than usual.

Was it worth it?

It wasn't a wow-factor kind of facial, but it was enjoyable. Sophie, my therapist, clearly knew what she was doing and it gave reasonable results.

What else could you have?

A dizzying range of Decléor facials and body treatments for men and women, holistic therapies including reiki and Indian head massage, plus beauty treatments from St Tropez tans, and Jessica manis and pedis to waxing.

What do you wish you'd known before you went?

How loud it would be. If I'd taken a friend, and had a good old gossip, I probably wouldn't have bothered about being disturbed.

Any special features?

If they can fix the slam-CLANG of the door and train the staff not to stand in the doorway, bellowing at clients, then the relaxation room would be a jewel in their crown. I also really enjoyed the thermal suite.

Who do you think would like it?

Groups and couples. Sophie told me that at the weekends the spa is packed out with hen parties, birthday parties and other groups of friends, although they do put a limit on numbers. As a solo spa-goer, on this trip, I have to say, I felt a little disappointed, as I didn't feel at all relaxed when I left.

Why did you give the spa this rating?

We gave the Manchester Hotel and Spa 3 bubbles. A few small changes would make a big difference to their spa experience. The Manchester Hotel have a great spa, with good facilities and talented therapists, but a spa should be a place to relax and it's impossible to escape from the noise of the doorbell and slamming doors.

See more on how we rate the spas.