Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly Spa
Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Like a spa? Like afternoon tea? Now imagine the two together – no, not at the same time, that’d be messy. Set aside a day for compound relaxation at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly. Double bliss.
Let’s do it in the correct order. First, the spa. It features six serene treatment rooms, a thermal suite with an ice fountain, sauna, steam room, heated loungers and a relaxation room.
These heated loungers are almost worth the price of admission alone. They’re hot and utterly relaxing, none of this lukewarm nonsense you’ll find at lesser places. You could wander around happily trying out the different rooms without ever feeling rushed.
It’s popular with groups of pamper-loving friends, and couples alike, and if you’re stuck in Manchester for a couple of hours, we heartily recommend making a solo trip. Fitness buffs can also take advantage of a well-equipped gym featuring high-end Matrix equipment.
However, the real highlight comes from the combination of pampering spa treatments with a classic afternoon tea experience. Indulge yourself, why not?
Guests can choose from a selection of tailored spa and afternoon tea packages, starting from just £79 per person. The most accessible option includes a 25-minute treatment, with choices like a soothing Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage, an Elemis Express Facial, or a Full Body Exfoliation.
Want to go deeper? The £105 package offers a 50-minute Full Body Massage, an Elemis Expert Touch Facial, or a combination of two shorter treatments. The apex of indulgence is the £149 package, featuring a 75-minute Full Body Massage with an additional 25-minute treatment, ensuring a truly blissful experience. Add a celebratory touch, and stick on a glass of prosecco for an extra £5.
Afternoon tea is the perfect follow-up to this level of luxury. It’s an elegant take on the classic afternoon delight, starting with savoury snacks at the bottom level, then moving on up through to some exceptional dessert options, including remarkably light and fluffy scones.
The most striking thing is the atmosphere. It might look out over the city but it feels like time has paused. The staff are calm and engaging, and everything about the room is geared around relaxation and catching up over a hot cup of tea while wrapped up in fluffy dressing gowns – body and mind relaxed in equal measure.
The Marriott might be one of the best-connected hotels in Manchester, but the in-house spa is a sanctuary away from all the razzle-dazzle outside. Follow it up with the elegant afternoon tea, and you won’t believe you’re smack dab in the city centre.
