We recently enjoyed a stay at Dakota Manchester Airport Hotel, and it really is a cut above the other airport hotels. The only downside was that we weren’t jetting off the following day!
This stunning £54 million hotel has been thoughtfully designed from the moment you arrive. Contemporary yet warm, every space feels effortlessly luxurious, with rich dark wood finishes, elegant interiors and beautiful lighting throughout. One design feature that particularly caught my eye was the hotel’s elongated lighting, which adds a sophisticated touch and creates a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.
Our room was equally impressive. Beautifully styled with every comfort in mind, the bed was so incredibly comfortable that I genuinely didn’t want to get up the following morning.
One of Dakota’s standout features is its exceptional attention to detail. It is the only UK airport hotel to offer a hotel-operated valet parking service, with the Dakota team taking care of your vehicle from arrival until departure, while a dedicated chauffeur service is available around the clock to whisk guests directly to their airport terminal.
Even if you’re simply enjoying an overnight stay as we were, it’s easy to appreciate how seamless and stress-free the experience would be before heading off on holiday.
Dinner was served in The Grill, the hotel’s atmospheric art deco-inspired restaurant centred around a striking bar, leather booths and rich dark wood interiors. The ambience strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and sophisticated.
We hadn’t planned on having a starter but couldn’t resist sharing the Scallop Mornay with Gruyère & Herb Crumb, while the chef very kindly sent over Dakota’s Signature Venetian Dip with freshly baked bread. Both were delicious and set the tone for what followed.
For our main course, we decided to share two dishes from the grill: an 8oz Wagyu fillet and Lemon Sole with spiced butter. Our waiter assured us the sides were not to be missed, so we happily obliged, ordering Glazed Cauliflower with garlic, ginger and soy, Buttered Peas with mixed herbs and shallots, Tenderstem Broccoli with garlic, chilli and soy, and Salt & Chilli Chunky Chips. Every dish was beautifully cooked, generous in portion and packed with flavour.
By the end of the meal, we were pleasantly full, with absolutely no room left for dessert -which simply means we’ll have to return to sample Dakota’s famous Sticky Toffee Pudding, something we’ve heard is worth the trip alone.
Whether you’re flying from Manchester or simply looking for an indulgent city escape with exceptional dining, Dakota Manchester Airport is redefining what an airport hotel should be. Stylish, welcoming and effortlessly luxurious, it’s a destination in its own right – and one we’ll be returning to, if only for that Sticky Toffee Pudding.
By Beverley Uddin-Khandakar
