CitySuites II Manchester review: spacious apartments for a family-friendly city break

Our verdict

In a modern high-rise block in central Manchester, CitySuites II is a luxury aparthotel with a best-of-both-worlds setup that provides self-catering accommodation with access to hotel-style amenities including a swimming pool, a gym and a restaurant. 

As a family of four we had ample space to kick back in a two-bedroom apartment and appreciated comfy beds, a plush lounge area and luxury touches like White Company toiletries. And we liked having the freedom to use kitchen facilities as well as the convenience of an on-site restaurant. 

With polished communal areas, a 24-hour reception and thoughtful extras throughout, it’s a great choice for a bit of urban luxury within easy reach of Deansgate, the Arndale Centre and Manchester’s excellent museums. 

Minor niggles (some wear and tear in the rooms and a slow breakfast service) aside, it’s brilliant for comfort and convenience and we’d happily return for another dose of Manchester magic. 

How we tested

Our family of four - mum, dad, and two boys aged five and eight - stayed at CitySuites II in a Two-Bedroom Premium Apartment over Bonfire Night weekend. We had breakfast and dinner at the on-site restaurant and ventured into Manchester’s city centre to explore nearby attractions.

What are the apartments like?

CitySuites II offers a range of options from compact Studios to sizable Two-Bedroom Apartments and interconnecting Suites, all decked out in a chic grey-white colour scheme. 

We were impressed with our Two-Bedroom Premium Apartment which offered plenty of space for a family of four. The lounge area - complete with two gloriously deep sofas - felt like a proper living space, and the dining table provided a perfect spot for snacks and family board games. The fully equipped kitchen is a standout feature - alongside basic facilities including an oven and a kettle, we had a dishwasher and a washing machine, making it a great option for longer stays in the city. And we appreciated luxury touches like White Company toiletries, a GHD hairdryer and a Nespresso coffee machine and pods. A tea towel would have been a handy addition though. 

We found the beds to be incredibly comfy and our dual-aspect windows offered skyline views of Manchester (we lucked out with a Bonfire Night firework display from the floor-to-ceiling windows during our stay). The independent temperature controls ensured we had a sound night’s sleep. 

With sleek grey tiles and a rainfall shower, the master bedroom’s en-suite bathroom was luxurious and we had a full tub in the main bathroom. The swanky design put our home bathroom to shame. 

There’s one thing we couldn’t get our heads around though - the placement of a wall-mounted TV in front of a wardrobe in the bedroom. Although mounted on brackets and easy to move, it made accessing the wardrobes a little awkward. And there were a few small paint scuffs and some general wear and tear. Small frustrations aside, we enjoyed having a spacious and stylish base to return to after exploring Manchester’s city centre. 

What facilities are on offer?

The beauty of a stay here is that you get access to five-star amenities without having to cram into a small hotel room. The 18-metre pool on the ground floor is a welcome addition and there’s a steam room and a jacuzzi too. The pool is family-friendly with no set times for kids and the 24-hour gym is handy for a post-kids' bedtime workout. 

We didn’t linger in the communal lounge area but it’s a relaxing space to unwind after a day of exploring. And there’s free super-fast WiFi throughout the hotel. 

Note that CitySuites II sits adjacent to the original CitySuites aparthotel. It wasn’t immediately clear where the reception area was hiding when we arrived but the check-in process was very smooth and the desk is open 24 hours a day. 

What’s the food like?

Dinner at the on-site restaurant, Embankment Kitchen, was a highlight. Chic and laid-back, it strikes a good balance between being family-friendly and sophisticated, and there’s an outdoor terrace for when the sun makes a rare appearance in Manchester. The kids’ menu features a variety of options, and our boys enjoyed their “posh” sausage and mash as well as the children’s cocktails. My wife and I both dined on steak with vegetables and a mushroom and peppercorn sauce — a meal that delivered on flavour and quality. For dessert, my wife indulged in sticky toffee pudding, which was a standout.

Breakfast, however, was less successful. The menu included options like avocado on toast and a continental selection, but it wasn’t served buffet-style and we found service to be slow and disorganised with lengthy waits to be seated and for food and drinks. While we enjoyed the food itself, we found the experience a little frustrating, especially with young kids eager to eat. 

What is there to do nearby?

Technically located in Salford (or Manchester’s new Embankment West district), CitySuites II sits right by the River Irwell and puts you within a five-minute stroll of Deansgate and the Arndale Centre. The Northern Quarter can be reached within 15 minutes. 

We explored the city’s excellent Science and Industry Museum during our stay, and top family-friendly attractions like the National Football Museum, the People’s History Museum and Manchester Art Gallery are all within walking distance. 

Manchester’s Victoria train station is a five-minute walk away and Manchester Piccadilly can be reached within 25 minutes.

About the author 

Matt Davis has worked at Mumsnet for four years and is passionate about making parents’ lives easier.

From Stoke-on-Trent, Matt studied music at Birmingham Conservatoire. A dad to two school-aged boys, Matt has worked in tech for the past 30 years, making a brief detour to be a professional musician on cruise ships, holiday parks and in bands touring around the world. 

When he's not diving into code, he can be found playing drums for local amateur theatre productions, knitting and crocheting or learning the guitar.