PREMIER STAY
One of the UK’s largest Premier Inn hotels to open next year – with new fancier bedrooms and chic bar area
Plus, what it's like to stay in the biggest Premier Inn in the world
PLANS to develop the biggest Premier Inn in the north of England have been put in motion.
The 276-room hotel, to be located at Manchester Airport, will have the brand's latest style bedrooms, including its fancier Premier Plus rooms.
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There will also be a trendy space on the ground floor known as 'The Social', seen in other Premier Inn hotels.
The space, with a plush bar area and colourful seating, is for checking in and hanging out in style.
Plans have been announced by Whitbread PLC, the parent company to Premier Inn, and MIX MANCHESTER.
The new hotel will look to grow Premier Inn's bedroom stock by more than 50 percent in the catchment serving the UK's third busiest airport.
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Recently, Whitbread has been investing heavily in Manchester as the company works to realign and grow its network of hotels in the city for its customers.
So far this year, the company has acquired a consented freehold development site on Rochdale Road for a new 229-bedroom Premier Inn.
It's also disposed of its Deansgate Locks hotel for redevelopment into alternative uses.
Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: "We are serious about continuing to grow Premier Inn across the north of England and offer the flexibility, security, and development expertise to acquire large hotel sites as we have done at Manchester Airport.
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"Securing what will become the largest Premier Inn in the north of England is a significant moment for Whitbread and one which we are proud to have delivered.
"With passenger numbers growing strongly at the airport I’m sure it will be a popular choice for our customers when we open the doors and start welcoming our guests.”
A planning application for the new hotel is expected to be submitted to Manchester City Council before Christmas.
If it's approved, construction will be able to start in early 2025.
The hotel will be built on a cleared site adjacent to Manchester Airport’s transport interchange less than 400 metres from Terminal 1 and 2.
Manchester Airports Group is in the final stages of its £1.3bn Transformation Programme at the airport.
It's undertaken an extension of T2, which was completed in 2021, and further upgrade and infrastructure works are due to be completed by 2025.
Gareth Jackson, Group Property Director at Manchester Airports Group, said:“Whitbread’s decision to open a Premier Inn of this size at MIX MANCHESTER is further endorsement of the complementary offer we’re creating here alongside the airport’s extensive transformation programme.
"It also demonstrates our continued ability to satisfy the growing demand for hotel beds at the airport, as well as providing science, innovation, and manufacturing occupiers we’re attracting to MIX MANCHESTER with a range of additional leisure amenities.”
There are currently three Premier Inns serving Manchester Airport:
- Manchester Airport (M56/J6) Runger Lane South
- Manchester Airport (M56/J6) Runger Lane North
- Manchester Airport (Heald Green)
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The newest of the hotels was opened in 2009.
'I stayed at the largest Premier Inn in the UK...this is what I thought'
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey stayed at Premier Inn at Gatwick Airport, located just outside the North Terminal...
The Premier Inn hotel is literal steps from the Gatwick shuttle - just take the lift down and cross the road and it is right in front of you.
Celebrating its 10th-anniversary last year, it's currently undergoing some new room refurbishments.
The hotel is open 24/7, due to its nature as an airport hotel, but has more than 10 self-check-in booths for a speedy rush to your room, although the four very slow lifts leave something to be desired if you are in a rush.
With 701 bedrooms, I ended up in their brand new Premier Plus rooms, found on the ninth 'quieter' floor, which was very clean.
I had great views of the airport, so I could watch some of the planes take off.
There is also a Nespresso coffee machine and kettle with chocolates, a large shower with toiletries and towels and a mini-fridge with complimentary water.
Plus unlike many hotels, they'd placed a USB socket near the bed, so you don't have to worry if you forget your plug.
The rooms weren't perfect - the WiFi didn't seem to stretch to the top of the hotel - but they are definitely worth the extra £10 for some added luxury.
The hotel is often full so I had to book dinner and breakfast in advance as it gets busy.
But it has a range of classic comfort food options, including burgers, pizza and curries.
I opted for a lasagne, followed by a brownie with a glass of wine.
They didn’t have everything listed - they were bizarrely out of avocado, French dressing and naans, but there is more than enough to choose from even if your favourite isn’t there.
Like all airport travellers, I was mainly there to get a decent night's kip and with the black-out curtains and barely any noise seeping through the walls - it passed with flying colours.
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