Holiday Inn Media City Review
This weekend I headed to Manchester as I was due to attend BlogOn Conference at Hotel Football.
As my husband was weekend off, we made the decision to all go to Manchester, so they could explore everything the vibrant city had to offer whilst I did all things blogging.
We made the decision to stay in at Media City as not only is it home to BBC and ITV studios, but is also houses the Blue Peter Garden and the Imperial War Museum, has brilliant transport links into the city centre and was a short walk to Hotel Football, which is opposite Old Trafford.
There are several hotels situated in and around Media City, but the Holiday Inn is the closest to the studios, with a large multi-story car park next door – the perfect base for a stay.
We got checked in and were immediately impressed by the service. The kids were given colouring books, snacks and even a basket full of games for them to play to help keep them occupied during the stay.
As a family of 5, we had to have interconnecting rooms, which both came with a lovely welcome gift of chocolates and fresh fruit.
Isaac and Eliza had a twin room with an en-suite bathroom.
Hubby and I had a double room, with a sofa bed for Sebastian.
Both rooms had tea, coffee and hot chocolate making facilities, a desk area, flat screen TV, bucket chair and a bathroom.
In the bathroom were complimentary Elemis products to use and a sign which also offered items that we often forget on trips away, including a toothbrush, comb and sanitary wear which they could bring to your room a no extra charge.
Possibly the best thing about the rooms, was the view.
The location was perfect for us and in an amazing stroke of luck, the Blue Peter badges they had applied for in the summer holidays had arrived that morning, so the kids were eager to head outside and find the Blue Peter Garden, which sits behind the tram stop in the main square.
Blue Peter have relocated the garden from London along with Petra statue and the pond.
There is also Blue Peter’s Gold Badge Walk which is a walkway celebrating some of the most successful people in sport, literature, music and other industries to receive the prestigious accolade.
We counted 44 giant Gold Badges, engraved with the names of stars including JK Rowling, Usain Bolt, Elton John, David Beckham, Tim Peake, Beth Tweddle, David Attenborough and even Her Majesty The Queen.
We had wanted to do the CBBC Tour at MediaCityUK which is an exciting and interactive day out where children aged between 6 years and 11 years get to see behind the scenes at CBBC. Sadly, what we didn’t realise is that you need to book a good two weeks in advance of your planned stay – still it’s an excuse to go back another time.
We really enjoyed our stay at the Holiday Inn at Media City and wouldn’t hesitate to come back for another stay. It is a great base for coming to see your favourite TV show as well as just a visit to the UK’s second city!
Disclaimer: We were offered a one night stay at Holiday Inn Media City for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Jon
This looks like an ace hotel! We are forever staying over in Manchester so will have to take a look at this one!
Mayah Camara
Sounds like you had the most amazing time and made some fab memories! That hotel looks lush!
Treasure Every Moment
What a brilliant location and comfortably place to stay! I love all of the extra touches 🙂
Beth Owen
Oh wow what a great place to stay! So kind giving you all those things! x
Sarah Bailey
This sounds like an interesting place to go and stay! What a shame you couldn’t get on the CBBC tour but it sounds like you have a great excuse to head back soon!
Tanya
Sounds like you had a great time although shame you didn’t get to do the CBBC tour this time round but it’s always great to have a reason to go back. I didn’t realise there was a Blue Peter garden but it sounds great, and your room looked lovely
Fashion and Style Police
Hope you had fun at Manchester. Heard a lot about the blog event online. The hotel looks great.
Rhian westbury
I’ve only briefly been to Manchester, and I really want to go back as I didn’t get to see much of the city. The hotel looks really good and connecting rooms are so conveniant x
Newcastle Family Life
This looks like a great hotel for a family stay, as a family of five, we really like interconnecting rooms too. I love all the little extras you got, always such a nice touch when hotels do this x
Kate
Perfect base for the conference! I love the welcome you received, from the games to the pretty personalised message.
Anosa
I like that the media city has so much to offer families and we love staying in holiday inn and hope to visit one day soon
Melanie
Looks like you had a wonderful stay in Manchester. Love that welcome plate too x
Leah Lander-Shafik
We are desperate to take our nephews and nieces to a nice hotel and somewhere they would have fun too. They have never been to one and this looks ideal! I am definitely going to suggest this as an option!
Laura Dove
Oh what a fab hotel! Love family friendly hotels like this and so close to all of the amenities too!
Stephanie Merry
Manchester is one of my favourite cities – not stayed in that part before though, but the hotel looks lovely! x
Lauretta
Looks like you all had an awesome time. Love the hotel.
Louise
Oh, wow! I’ve never stayed in a Holiday Inn before but it looks lovely, clean and welcoming. And it sounds like you guys received amazing service as well. I’ll definitely be keeping them in mind for my next trip away 🙂
Louise x
Olivia Jade
I love media city! The Blue Peter garden looks really fascinating. Lots of history there 🙂 x
Emily Leary
I’ve stayed in that hotel before! Great pics. It’s a cool area, isn’t it?
Nichola - Globalmouse
What a great stay. I’m always impressed by Holiday Inn, they are a great hotel group.
Rachel
I love visiting manchester but i’ve not been to the media city area, this hotel looks lovely! xo