It may have swapped Hotel Gotham for The Rex, but the hotel on King Street has not lost its sense of occasion. From the rooftop terraces at the top of the building, Manchester's skyline stretches out on three sides, and on a balmy July evening it is easy to imagine being in a southern European city. The rooftop bar and restaurant, The Reserve, is the obvious draw, but the rest of the hotel works hard to match it.
A rebrand with a familiar feel
The hotel became The Rex in April after being sold to new owners, and the restaurant and bar spaces were given fresh names. The interiors were also refreshed, but the moody glamour remains. The reception is on the sixth floor, reached by lift, and the building still carries a New York charm that sets it apart from other city-centre stays.
My superior double room had a huge king-sized bed, an en-suite shower and a small seating area. The ceiling was especially tall, a testament to the building's age. Luxurious touches included a large fake fur throw on the bed, fluffy white robes in the bathroom, and a vanity cabinet stocked with the usual mini-bar selection. A choice of packages was available for purchase, including a hangover kit, one with travel adaptors and one aimed at a romantic getaway. The decor was very similar to the Hotel Gotham era, with quirky details like a trunk-style coffee table and a small wooden hand model. One small flaw: the TV stood at the foot of the bed on a partition wall, breaking up the space; it would have worked better on the far wall.
Dinner at The Reserve
For dinner we went to The Reserve, formerly Club Brass, on the top floor. It operates as a private members club, but hotel guests can use it. Members of the public can book a Terrace Experience, priced at £32 per person and including three small plates and a cocktail, or book an Afternoon Tea package to access the terrace.
We started with a Mai Thai and a Tequila Sunrise as the sun bathed the terrace in golden-hour light, then chose to eat outside. From the small plates menu we picked baby chorizo, beef croquettes and beef short rib. All three were outstanding, rivalling some of the best tapas I have had in Manchester. The chorizo sausages were salty and juicy with a moreish red sauce, the croquettes were crispy outside and tender inside, and the short rib practically fell apart as it was sliced.
For mains, I had salmon with marinated cherry tomatoes and a side of chips described on the menu as "fat" chips. The salmon had crispy skin and flaky flesh, and the tomatoes were rich and juicy. My partner's chicken burger came with fries. The chunky chips were crisp outside and fluffy inside, and neither of us could decide whether the skinny fries or the chunky chips were better.
We stayed on the roof long after the sun had gone down, watching the city lights come up around us. The view is something special.
Breakfast in The Reign
Breakfast is served in The Reign, formerly the Honey restaurant. It does not have a rooftop terrace, but the sixth-floor location still gives impressive views, and we sat by a half-moon window that felt like dining among the rooftops.
The continental buffet included delicately sliced fruit, individual pots of overnight oats and yoghurt with compote, and a selection of cheese and cured meats, with staff keeping everything topped up. From the cooked menu I chose the Full English with scrambled eggs and brown toast. The eggs were creamy and topped with chives, the tomatoes and mushrooms were flavoursome, and the sausage and hash browns were faultless, though the bacon was slightly too fatty for my taste. My partner had the homemade pancakes with whipped cream, berries and maple syrup, and his empty plate suggested they did not disappoint.
The Rex factfile
Liv was a guest at The Rex. Nightly rates start from £179 B&B. Classic cocktails at The Reserve are £14. From the small plates menu: baby chorizo £9, beef croquettes £9 and beef short rib £10.50. From the large plates menu: chicken burger £19.50 and salmon fillet £25. Fat chips on the side are £7.
