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Home / Destination / Europe / UK / Elsewhere / Room Report: Great John Street Hotel

Room Report: Great John Street Hotel

February 27, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 26 Comments

Great John Street Hotel. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Great John Street Hotel. Copyright Gretta Schifano

I stayed at the luxurious Great John Street Hotel in Manchester for one night last week. The hotel is part of the Eclectic Hotels group which has two other hotels in the area. I was with my sixteen year-old daughter and nephew and we were reviewing the hotel while on a tour of some of the university cities in the North of England.

We arrived one evening tired after a long drive there from Surrey via Leeds. The hotel is in the city centre but the street was quiet and empty when we arrived. I parked the car in front of the hotel in order to unload our bags and intended to then drive to the NCP car park around the corner. The helpful receptionist told me that I could leave the car outside the hotel until the next morning because it’s free to park there between 8.30pm and 8.30am.

It was dark when we arrived but I could see that the hotel is an imposing three-story brick building which looks Victorian (although the building was actually constructed in 1912). We checked in quickly and headed up to our room, number 22, one of the hotel’s Classical Grand Twin rooms.

Our room at the Great John Street Hotel. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Our room at the Great John Street Hotel. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Our room

The room was perfect for us because my daughter and I slept in the twin beds and the hotel had added an extra bed for my nephew. When I asked for the extra bed the hotel said that it was really meant for under-12s – but I knew that my nephew would be fine in it, and he was.

The room was on two levels with the beds, a desk, a TV and wardrobe downstairs while upstairs were a corner sofa, another TV and a roomy bathroom. My nephew decided that he’d rather sleep upstairs and so moved his mattress and bedding up there. He was delighted to find that the TV had Sky, especially as there was a football match that evening which he wanted to see. Both teens were thrilled that the hotel had free Wifi throughout and proceeded to catch up on their social lives while I made myself a cup of coffee with the kettle upstairs. I was pleased to find a small carton of fresh milk in the fridge to use in tea and coffee. We’d already devoured the welcome cookies and cake that the hotel had left for us in the room.

I felt at home in the room straight away. The layout and furnishings were comfortable and luxurious, from the crushed velvet throw at the end of my bed to the Roberts MP3 docking station next to the TV to the roll top bath. The bathroom also had a tiled walk-in shower and there were white fluffy towels and Temple Spa toiletries for us to use.

En-suite bathroom, Great John Street Hotel. Copyright Gretta Schifano

En-suite bathroom, Great John Street Hotel. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We were very hungry by this point and so I called reception for a recommendation of where to eat. I asked for a place that the kids would like and with a vegetarian option. She suggested a restaurant called Giraffe in the nearby Spinningfields area, a modern retail and business district. Giraffe was a safe and easy three minutes’ walk away and was just what we needed. We all opted for burgers and chips. My vegetarian burger was made with falafels and was very tasty. Back at the hotel we were all asleep very quickly.

I was woken by an alarm call at 7am the next day. I left the kids sleeping while I went to move the car to the car park. As I walked back to the hotel I was amazed to see that it’s right opposite Granada TV’s famous Coronation Street set where the soap was filmed for many years and where you can pay to go on a studio tour. I hadn’t noticed this in the dark the previous evening. I went to wake the kids up, grabbed my camera and headed up to the hotel roof terrace.

View of Coronation Street from Great John Street Hotel roof terrace

View of Coronation Street from Great John Street Hotel roof terrace

Playground

The top floor of the hotel used to be the school playground and today is called simply ‘Playground’. The building’s history as a school is reflected throughout the hotel from the chunky iron radiators to the boys and girls staircases to this rooftop ‘playground’. There’s an outside terrace which offers great views of Coronation Street and is a lovely place to hang out. It has a hot tub, a bar, tables and comfortable seats outside. Inside on the same level are various seating areas and cosy corners. I took some photos and then headed down to our room to gather the kids up for breakfast.

Great John Street Hotel 'Playground'. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Great John Street Hotel ‘Playground’. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Breakfast

Breakfast was a luxurious but relaxed affair on the balcony of the hotel bar. We sat at a low table on upholstered chairs. There was a breakfast buffet which we were invited to help ourselves from and we were also given menus from which to choose hot food which was cooked to order. I had a cheese and mushroom omelette which was delicious but so filling that I couldn’t eat all of it. My nephew ordered ‘American style sweet pancakes’ and was initially disappointed when his plate arrived with a solitary pancake on it – he’d expected a pile. But it was a big pancake and he said that it was enough for him. My daughter had boiled eggs and toast. Everything that I ate was very good and the kids said that they enjoyed their food.

Great John Street Hotel bar with breakfast area above. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Great John Street Hotel bar with breakfast area above. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Coronation Street Green Room

After breakfast it was time to check-out. We left our bags to be looked after at the hotel reception and set off to explore the city on foot before going to Manchester University for a campus tour. When we went to collect our bags that afternoon I asked the receptionist about the history of the building. She told me that it had been used as the Coronation Street Green Room for many years until it became a hotel.

The verdict

All three of us loved the Great John Street Hotel and I think that it’s an excellent place for families with children to stay. It’s also the perfect place to stay if you’re going on the Coronation Street Tour or visiting the nearby Museum of Science and Industry.

The lowdown

Classical Grand Rooms (like the one where we stayed) at the Great John Street Hotel cost from £198 per night. There’s a charge of £25 per night for additional beds. There’s no charge for cots or highchairs. There are no directly interconnecting rooms at the hotel but there are some rooms where a corridor can be closed off to make two rooms into a private area. Breakfast costs from £16 to £18 per person.



Disclosure: We were guests of the Great John Street Hotel for the purposes of this review.

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Related

Categories: Elsewhere, Luxury, Room reports
Tags: Coronation Street, Great John Street Hotel, Lancashire, luxury hotel, Manchester

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows says

    March 4, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    That looks beautiful, and how fab that it looks over Coronation Street!!
    Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows recently posted…What Do I Buy?My Profile

    Reply
  2. Globalmouse says

    March 2, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    I love the look of this hotel – full of character which is always lovely when you’re staying somewhere. What a great history it has too.
    Globalmouse recently posted…Lower Brockhampton Manor House and Estate, HerefordshireMy Profile

    Reply
  3. agatapokutycka says

    March 2, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Not so pretty from the outside but totally stunning once you get it. Love the “playground”.
    agatapokutycka recently posted…Weekly Photo Challenge: RewardMy Profile

    Reply
  4. bluebearwood says

    March 1, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    What a great restyling of an old school inot a hotel. I love that they’ve kept alive bits of it’s past and would definitely look at it if we were heading up that way

    Reply
  5. Emma says

    March 1, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    I love that the hotel looks so full of character.
    Emma recently posted…My ideal outfit for Cheltenham Races #colourmemarchMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Rachel says

    March 1, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    What a beautiful looking hotel this is, wow. I love that bathroom x
    Rachel recently posted…Dr Salts+ Sleep TherapyMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says

    March 1, 2015 at 6:35 pm

    I do like hotels that have a bit of style – the Playground and bar area look lovely. Nice tiling in the bathroom, too! Hope your daughter had a successful snoop round the University.
    Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Mother’s Day treat at SoSPA, Sofitel London St JamesMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Shell Louise says

    March 1, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    It looks sounds wonderful. I love buildings with interesting history.
    Shell Louise recently posted…Project 365 – February 21st – 27thMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Kara says

    March 1, 2015 at 7:54 am

    We are off to manchester in may and this looks like a gorgeous place to stay – a little out of our price range though :0(
    Kara recently posted…Project 365 2015 – Week 9My Profile

    Reply
  10. Cherished By Me says

    February 28, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    What a stunning building, lovely room. I have to admit I’ve not been to that part of the country but doing my own uni tours with son number two at the moment.
    Cherished By Me recently posted…Sunbites SnacksMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Jaime Oliver says

    February 28, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    I am loving the looks of that bathroom! we are doing the core tour later this year so will bare this in mind 🙂 .. thanks for sharing
    Jaime Oliver recently posted…Sherwood Forest – Squirrel SpottingMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Trish - Mum's Gone to says

    February 28, 2015 at 11:08 am

    I was wondering how on earth you had taken that second photo (from the top of the wardrobe perhaps?) until I read that it was on two levels!
    Great to see fresh milk provided – still not offered very often, even in top hotels.
    Love the vibe of this hotel – relaxing yet ticking all the boxes with regard to facilities.
    How are you getting on with the university visits?
    Trish – Mum’s Gone to recently posted…In search of Lindisfarne MeadMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 28, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      The uni visits went well but there are quite a few more to come, mostly in June. It was very odd going to Leeds Uni as a parent because the last time that I was there was for my graduation!

      Reply
  13. Hannah Staveley says

    February 27, 2015 at 10:46 pm

    Wow oh wow this place looks amazing just look at the place!

    Reply
  14. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    That looks like a fantastic place and I love the playground too. perfect for going to with kids that need to let off steam
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Cake case daffodilsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 27, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      The ‘playground’ isn’t actually a playground any more though!

      Reply
  15. Stephs Two Girls says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    Definitely looks like a quality place, glad you had a good stay. Great Corrie snap too!
    Stephs Two Girls recently posted…Are we about to hit School Refusal?My Profile

    Reply
  16. Mary Louise says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    The hotel looks lovely and sounds just like my kind of place!
    What a nice surprise to see the Corrie set and grab a great photo!
    Mary Louise recently posted…Shrove TuesdayMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    The hotel looks really nice and I am glad you enjoyed your stay.
    Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) recently posted…Plum, Beetroot and Apple JuiceMy Profile

    Reply
  18. My Family Ties says

    February 27, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    What a lovely hotel, free wifi too! and I love the fact that you can see the old Corrie set’s – how fab! Great that it is near a museum as well 🙂
    My Family Ties recently posted…Lemon And Raspberry Fool With Total Greek Yogurt – My Family TiesMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Boo Roo and Tigger Too says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    It looks so warm and welcoming, like a home away from home rather than a stark hotel suite
    Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…Care Bears are back!My Profile

    Reply
  20. Bek Dillydrops says

    February 27, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    What a gorgeous hotel-I wouldn’t mind staying there! I really like the history about the place and the en suite looks in keeping with that. Lovely review.
    Bek Dillydrops recently posted…Button Earrings ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  21. angela hamilton says

    February 27, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    I love the building and the history surrounding it. What a fab location too.
    If I am ever in Manchester I can see me booking a room there
    angela hamilton recently posted…Good Nights Sleep.My Profile

    Reply
  22. Lauren | Belle du Brighton says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    It looks lovely! The bathroom is so stylish, and I love the idea of The Playground! Have bookmarked their website for any visits to Manchester that might come my way!
    Lauren | Belle du Brighton recently posted…Maternity style: Frugi Nursing dressMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Ting at My Travel Monkey says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:56 am

    Wow, Great John Street looks amazing. I love the bathroom fittings and interiors. It reminds me of a old-school vintage shabby chic but on a much grander scale. How great to see the old Corrie sets too. My husband’s from Manchester so whenever we go, we stay with family… but I might have to persuade him to stay here instead 🙂
    Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Top 10 Things To Do in BucharestMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Erica Price says

    February 27, 2015 at 11:40 am

    I do like the look of that hotel. It’s a handsome building and I like that it makes the most of its history too. Looks like it’s a handy location too.
    Erica Price recently posted…Melijoe: Kids Love FashionMy Profile

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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