The Merchants Hotel, Manchester

Back Piccadilly, Off Oldham St, Piccadilly Gdns, Behind Nobles Arcade, Manchester, M1 1HP

In the heart of Manchester. Great value and friendly service, whether your trip is for business or pleasure. Commitment to your comfort and superb location make...

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£ Rooms from $65* per night
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6/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
7/10 Check-in process
5/10 Your room
6/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
7/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
5/10 Performance of staff
6/10 Overall experience
6/10 Overall value for money
  • 3/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  June 24, 2008

    "Adequate for an overnight stay but wouldn't put up with it for any longer than one night." (97977928)

    Near to what we wanted

    Had to change room we had booked due to staff over booking although we had a reduction in price.The toilet which was situated on the landing had no toilet paper and the bed was falling apart at the headboard.The bedroom curtains were short of hooks so we were unable to close the curtains properly.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Family with older children) 

    on  July 30, 2008

    "not good" (108062362)

    good transport system

    Very bad area we thought, people vomiting outside hotel, smells, and when we went to our room very intimidated by people outside shouting, smashing bottles etc. one man was shouting abuse up at our windown and my young daughter and myself did not sleep with all the noice

  • 6/10 James (Solo business traveller) 

    from Tallinn , EE on  July 28, 2008

    "Good value for the money. Accurate description of what I would get." (108076604)

    Safe Clean Basic Good location Cheap Exactly as described, Hotel did call my mobile in Estonia to tell me that check in was at 10 pm but I was already in the UK. Breakfast was sinple but adequate.

    On arrival the clerk did not want to accept my 50 pound note because of problems in the past, also no light and no TV. Light was fixed for next day. TV never worked. No chair in room. I have a bad knee and stairs were painful.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  July 26, 2008

    Really good location

    No cap park..Had to pay extra 16.00 pounds for a pay and dispaly for one nights stay. Also hotel room door did not lock properly so therefore thought security was poor.

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Family with older children) 

    on  July 16, 2008

    "o.k for 1 night it served its purpose, somewhere to sleep" (97162976)

    it was central manchester and close to where we needed to be

    holes in the entrance wall

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 8, 2008

    "For the price it was ok but it would be nice to feel more welcome" (97631995)

    Able to get breakfast after 9 Comfortable bed

    Attitude of male staff Lack of adequate payment facilities Unable to change television channels

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Family with young children) 

    on  June 26, 2008

    "Good value for money" (97058365)

    The room and beds were clean although needed painting etc

    I thought we had paid for it when made booking on internet, but that was just to reserve booking but that wasnt made clear.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 18, 2008

    "I wouldn't come back." (99930547)

    The booking was very easy and quick. The person at reception very polite and smiley.

    The place was not as expected at all. The room was in poor condition, the skylight had no blind, the window didn't close. There was no breakfast because of a delivery problem but no reduction was made on the price.

  • 4/10 James (Same sex couple) 

    from Ivybridge , GB on  June 14, 2008

    "This hotel is basic and could be seen to offer little advantage over competitors offering rooms at £19 booked 21 days in advance with the comforts and facilities that the public have come to expect.Even prices of £45 to £60 (and without breakfast) may seem reasonable in comparison. " (97667317)

    Clean linen. Tea @ coffee facility in room. Breakfast cereals, toast and fruit and what I expected. No fry-ups.

    1. Reception did not have a record of my booking. The only proof was my printed copy from the Internet booking. 2. I paid for a room with an en-suite, but didn't get one. I had to find a shower room at the end of the landing. 3.TV not in operation because of 'signal problems'. The explanation offered was that newly constructed high rise buildings had blocked the signal. I think that may have had a little warning of the problem! What about cable TV ? 4.Could not find a shaving socket anywhere in the building. Reception could not help either. Had to leave next morning unshaven.

  • 2/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  June 3, 2008

    "The hotel is sub-par. And quite expensive for what you get. The location is quite central. As an experience, our stay in Manchester was a hair beneath grim. " (97709445)

    The location of the hotel was very good. But location isn't everything.

    The hotel staff had no idea that I had actually booked my reservation through active-hotels. Although I had ordered 2 en-suite rooms, they had none available upon arrival. Despite this, we still had to pay the full quoted 'en suite' price.

  • 2/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  June 2, 2008

    "Terrible." (97768704)

    zero

    The fake fire alarm happened three times between 12-2 am in the midnight but the staff cannot deal with it or even give customers a fair explanation and compensation. The kettle is extremely dirty and the TV is 'just didn't work'(cited from the staff). Highly recommend not to live in the hotel, it's not worth it. Please pass this message to your friends.

  • 7/10 Lynn (Same sex couple) 

    from Hull , GB on  July 8, 2008

    "This is bed and breakfast not an hotel,soooo, don't expect ensuite bathrooms,didn't find it a problem getting use of loo or shower room though." (108090088)

    Very central to shopping areas,MEN and train stations.Manager very helpful when dealing with a problem that arose(my problem not theirs).Room clean.

    Just needs tarting up a bit,but then you'd be paying a whole lot more wouldn't you?

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 1, 2008

    "an ordeal" (97431947)

    it was shabby and vile

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  May 31, 2008

    "A very run down hotel, hopefully in the process of refurb, however it was near the station and had empty rooms at short notice. We could have stayed at a travel lodge for £30 less!!" (97282118)

    Young manager very helpful and apologetic for fire alarm going off three times during the night

    Fire alarm going off three timesbetween 1.30am and 3.15am.. I appreciate this was not the fault of the hotel but it did not make for a good nights sleep, no recompense was offered, just an apology...not really good enough. No brown bread for toast!

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  May 29, 2008

    "I was not quite sure where the entrance was when I first arrived and nearly walking into the nightclub underneath the hotel. It was good to have internet access. Breakfast was good with plenty of choice - I mentioned that I prefered wholemeal bread and the Manager obtained some for me, which I really appreciated. My room (17) was very basic with a shower. However, I was concerned that I would have to leave my room in the middle of the night to use the toilet (but managed!). The TV only showed one channel. The bottom sheet was ill-fitting and ruched up during the night and became uncomfortable. The room needs a bit of a spruce up and windowledge a dust. I stayed at this hotel because I needed to be at Manchester airport early the next morning (the Manager opened the dining room a little bit earlier for me, which was appreciated. I don't know Manchester very well and didn't want to go out for the evening and it would have been nice to have somewhere to sit, apart from on the bed, for some of the evening. I would like to suggest that perhaps the dining room, that has a sofa in it, could be used for guests to relax etc." (97836653)

    The Manager was very friendly and helpful.

    Having to leave my room for middle of the night toilet!

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  May 24, 2008

    "Budget hotel that does what it says." (97608340)

    Value for money, central location, good supply of hot water.

    Noisy guests. Although not allowed to smoke in hotel guests were obviously smoking in rooms and toilet as this could be smelt in corridors.

  • 3/10 John (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Collon , IE on  May 22, 2008

    "frankly, i was appalled by the standard of this Hotel as i have stayed in other Hotels for that price or less, and they, even had an ensuite room, the shared shower was never working properly the shared toilet was out of toilet paper, these are very basic and important requirements, it would be important to state that this 'hotel' is very basic indeed, and to me it is overpriced for what it has to offer" (97176956)

    its central location

    it was one of the worst hotels i ever stayed in, rooms were very basic, with a sink in it which had no stopper, one curtain on the window, hanging on by one curtain hook, the communal Shower worked occasionally, the room could do with freshening up.

  • 3/10 Helen (Mature couple) 

    from Dewsbury , GB on  May 20, 2008

    "see above ... if you have already booked ask to see the room before you pay any money out.... beds and linin very poor quality." (97420926)

    staff were accomodated to begin with.... and moved us to a larger room... good selection for breakfast

    badley fitted linin ..... its like trying to sleep in a sauna its that hot.... grumpy staff afetr first day....very noisy out side in back lane.... if you nedd anything towels etc go strieght to the house keepers or if you,v any sense just dont stay there at all

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  May 17, 2008

    "Although the hotel was competatively priced, the overall experience was nonetheless very poor and unsatisfactory for the reasons given above." (97322270)

    The room was clean and the location central. Relatively cheap compared to other hotels in the area.

    TV didn't work. Shower didn't work. Bed linen poorly cleaned. Staff unfriendly. No-one available on reception in the evening except for emergency mobile number. Single glazed window meant that street noise was very loud in the room from 5.00am onwards.

  • 8/10 Tuomas (Mature couple) 

    from Helsinki , FI on  May 14, 2008

    "Perfect location, nice big room with a wiew, great doublebed," (97321388)

    Perfect location, nice big room with a wiew

  • 4/10 Jennifer (Other) 

    from Grimsby , GB on  May 11, 2008

    its was very basic, there was a mouse trap in the bedroom and there was no privacy in the shower

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  May 8, 2008

    "We would never stay there again, the hotel wasn't very clean the room we had was smelly and there were 2 mouse trap boxes in the room when I asked about these I was told it was a precaution as it was spring time. We had a shower in our room but didn;t use it as it looked a bit grubby if we could have found anywhere else to stay we would have checked out but it was a bank holliday weekend and everywhere was busy" (97748905)

    Not a lot it was very basic and not particually clean. The breakfast was ok

    There were 2 mouse trap boxes in the bedroom the shower wasn't very clean and the staff uninterested.

  • 3/10 Roy (Mature couple) 

    from Wigan , GB on  May 8, 2008

    "PICTURES ON WEB SITE NOT VERY GOOD" (97785600)

    NOT VERY CLEAN + POOR QUALITY

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Family with older children) 

    on  May 3, 2008

    "Expensive by French standards for the quality of furnishings and service." (97195511)

    The location is excellent, though the immediate environment is a bit scruffy. Man in charge very competent and willing.

    Noise from the ventilators on the building across the way.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  May 3, 2008

    "IT IS CENTRAL, THE LOCATION IS PERFECT (FOR TRAIN, OLD TRAFFORD, PUBS, SHOPPING ETC) HOWEVER, THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH FOR THIS STANDARD I THINK" (97332434)

    THAT THE HOTEL CHARGED OVER £2 FOR USING A CREDIT CARD FOR PAYMENT...

  • 5/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 15, 2008

    "It filled the need - we wanted a bed for the night in central manchester because we had to catch a train at 06.35 the next morning. I would not have been happy to walk back to the hotel on my own late at night - the entrance and the alley leading to it is less than salubrious. The room was OK but it was no more than a bed, a small tv and a sink. No wardrobe, just hooks. A bit grubby but we were in and out in hours. The guy on the desk was quite concerned that we would be leaving without breakfast and would have probably been happy to get up very early and make sure we had something to eat, which was sweet. I'd say don't stay there if you are on your own or want to stay more than one night. Its fine just for somewhere to sleep for a few hours." (97112678)

    Central location and it was cheaper than the chain hotels.

    I would not want to stay there for more than one night, nor on my own. Had to approach the hotel down a rubbish-strewn alley which showed signs of being used for less than pleasant uses at night. For one night staying with a mate it was OK - for longer it would have been grim indeed.

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  April 14, 2008

    We were very quit in the city centre. The people were very friendly and helpful.

    The toilet was shaking, the sheets were dirty, painture were falling down from the seeling. The pub underneth the hotel was very loud at night.

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 8, 2008

    Nothing good to say about it

    Tv did'nt work, no chairs or cupboards to put clothes away, dirty bedding with burn marks, ragged towel, only 1 pillow

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  July 20, 2008

    "wouldnt stay again" (97309895)

    receptionist very polite

    shower was leaking, water pipes made horrendous noise when turning on the taps, wallpaper coming off the walls remote control didnt work television only had 1 channel

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Allan (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Aberdeen , GB on  March 30, 2008

    "This hotel is very cheap and ideally situated for central Manchester. I would have no problems recommeding this for a traveller on a budget." (97311325)

    Very cheap + Very central!

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Family with young children) 

    on  March 26, 2008

    "Overall we are pleased about the stay except the following things. I think there should be thorough check of the all equipments and facilities in the hotel rooms before alloting them to customer. Because in the room (87) allotted to me originally heater was not working. And in the newly allotted room (84) hand shower was not working. I am thankful to the hotel management / manager who allotted us new room (84) because atleast there were more no. of beds to sleep. My family (wife and two children) could sleep comfortably. This we got it without paying extra for the beds." (97957053)

    The room allotted to me was excellent.

    In the morning we have to wait for a while for the breakfast because of the heavy rush. And on one morning we didnt get one breakfast even after prolonged waiting.

  • 9/10 Anonymous (Same sex couple) 

    on  March 18, 2008

    "we really enjoyed the stay it was well worth what we paid, the room was very nice. It is amazing for short visits it is good for a traveller wanting somewhere cheap to stay." (97172441)

    it was a friendly atmosphere with comfortable facilities within the room

    there was no information giving on what was given at breakfast and rubbish was left in the room of the last visitor

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Mature couple) 

    on  March 17, 2008

    "as much as we had no problem the hotel itself and the facilities, it was th staff who could do with adjusting." (97831984)

    we greatly enjoyed the premises, and the location was ideal

    the room was dissapointing, despite the fact that it provided hot drinks (usefull for not so early risers),it was quite unpleasant old fashioned even if it was discribed as modern on the website

  • 6/10 Anonymous (Group of work colleagues) 

    on  June 24, 2008

    clean room,tea making facilities, central location

    room faced noisy air conditioning unit. Room had shabby decor. Shared shower room and toilet

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 11, 2008

    city centre location

    it would be useful to have a notice which stated whether or not the tap water in the room is drinking water

  • 3/10 Kelly (Young couple) 

    from Waterford , IE on  June 21, 2008

    "Poor. would never stay there again." (97264089)

    The room was tiny. there was chewing gum on the wall. The duvet cover had stains on it. There was only a net curtain on the window-nothing heavier.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 4/10 Anonymous (Young couple) 

    on  March 3, 2008

    "general cleanliness - stains on quilt cover. Paid £10 deposit for keys - had to ask for it back (wouldnt have got it if we hadnt asked)" (97547151)

    good location

    lack of security for valuables

  • 3/10 Stephen (Young couple) 

    from High peak , GB on  June 18, 2008

    "a waste of money we shall not be staying there again and we will be warning people away." (99579390)

    Clean & Comfy Bed

    extremeley Filthy Room, Urine in the toilet, Rubbish in the wardbrobe broken glass on the carpet!! Crack window in the bathroom. Layer of dust on most surfaces, dog/cat hair on the carpet, it seemed like he didnt have a cleaner at all the manager couldn't direct us to the hotel even though, as it turned out, we were about 200 meters down the road. When we got there the Credit Card Machine would not take payment off my maestro debit card when I checked my balance i had over £300 in my account. I am looking to get a full refund.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Karen (Young couple) 

    from Cheshire , GB on  February 28, 2008

    "I knew it was going to be cheap n cheerful, the new receptionist was very pleasant and helpful. The room was newly decorated and the bedlinen was clean." (97914694)

    The price was reasonable

    Not having a toilet in the room

  • 8/10 Lorraine (Young couple) 

    from Northampton , GB on  February 27, 2008

    "Accomodation matched the price, so nothing to complain about." (97575618)

    Very central, good position for all major attractions

    simple touches lacking.Eg: sheet didnt fit bed, Tv dismatled, sani-flow needs replacing.

  • 8/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 12, 2008

    "This hotel was exactly what I was expecting for my money: a decent but not necessarily thrilling place to stay for a low price. Would definitely stay there again." (97939380)

    Clean, functional room, low price, flexible hours, good facilities, convenient location.

    Staff was slightly unhelpful, breakfast was lackluster at best.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Solo business traveller) 

    on  February 20, 2008

    "I would like to have known breakfast times at the weekend and the fact that it is situated above a busy bar." (97271846)

    The room was clean.

    It was extremely noisy until late in the night. Breakfast was not available at the advertised time and I consequently had to miss it.

  • 3/10 Dawn (Group of work colleagues) 

    from Lowestoft , GB on  June 7, 2008

    "We thought rooms were to basic and over priced could hace got a Premier Inn or Travel Lodge cheaper and with better rooms." (97307039)

    Dining was nice,shame the rest of the hotel was'nt the same.

    On the internet said hotel was undergoing refurbishment.We see no signs of that happening.Skylite in room we stayed in was anoying could have done with some form of cover over it.Double glazing in rooms or secondary glazing would have solved the noise of the traffic and the music from bar opposite where our room was.Shower was rubbish,sheets did not fit they must have shrunk in the wash.Appart from that FOOFIGHTERS was fanstatic.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 3/10 Alun (Mature couple) 

    from Halesworth , GB on  February 3, 2008

    Very little regrettably. However the staff were very pleasant and friendly. The hotel is central to Manchester although the entrance is in a rather insalubrious looking street.

    The room was barren and comfortless. The carpets were stained as were the bedclothes. The TV reception was dreadful and the remote control was missing the battery and its back cover. The room did not have a wardrobe or any extra blankets and towels. The window catch was also broken.

  • 8/10 Donna (Other) 

    from Anglesey , GB on  June 3, 2008

    "I was goin out for the night so the hotel was not a priority but for the price I paid I could not expect any better, clean and tidy, everything working, no problems!!" (97593801)

    Very good for the price, the hotel is central Manchester and cheap so what do you expect!

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 3/10 Anonymous (Other) 

    on  January 31, 2008

    "There was no main front to the hotel, apart from the front door which you were given the key to on your arrival/check in. When we returned from the concert, there were no hotel staff available, except for an emergency contact number that was posted to the boarded up reception area. There was an ongoing argument between two residents of the hotel which lasted from approximately 1.00am until 3.00am. I couldn't help but wonder if this disagreement would have lasted that long if someone from the hotel had been available to intervene. As I was staying there with my sister, the whole experience was a bit frightening. The hotel room was clean although the plastic bed sheets were uncomfortable. The TV reception was extremely poor (two channels available) and there were no batteries in the remote control. If you're looking for no frills accommodation for a one night stay, then this is your place. If you want something better, look somewhere else!" (97766620)

    Location to MEN Arena

    Very basic

  • 7/10 Ian (Mature couple) 

    from Portsmouth , GB on  January 30, 2008

    City centre location. Cheap and functional. Courteous staff.

    Walls are paper thin, a coat hook on the inside of the door would be good. The bed was not very comfortable and the rubber mattress protector makes for a fairly uncomfortable sleep.

  • 5/10 Connie (Young couple) 

    from Burlington, ontario , CA on  January 25, 2008

    For basic economy accomodations, The Merchant Hotel is it. One step up from a Hostel. The staff were very helpful, good internet access but the beds were lumpy and ensuite bathroom hard to manuveur in. It was clean but very basic.

    The alley entrance was dodgy.

  • 7/10 Shigeyuki (Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Gumma , JP on  January 6, 2008

    breakfirst

    TV MONITOR IS POOR

  • 7/10 Anonymous (Group of adult friends) 

    on  January 5, 2008

    city centre

    nose

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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