Willowbank Hotel

I booked this hotel for 1 x night because we were going to see George Michael and I thought it wasn't far outside Manchester. For starters, we couldn't find it which got my husband in a mood as he prides himself in his sense of direction. Then we eventually found it and booked in. First impressions; grubby windows, threadbare carpet and the banister leading up into the reception was filthy and needed a good polishing! When we got to the room it was absolutely tiny. Very very warm, no complaints there but when we checked the bathroom out I couldn't believe it. The suite was an ancient (and cracked) light green circa 1968!! It even had carpet on the floor instead of the more hygienic tiles. The shower had obviously overflowed continuously and the bath panel was rotting. When we went to bed I drew the curtains and I found someone's dirty glass hiding behind the curtain. Frankly I couldn't be bothered to complain - I don't ever intend to go back there.

We stayed here for one Saturday night due its location. Access was fine and parking was good and secure. There were lots of stairs - to reception and then to room and later to restaurant. We had booked an exec room which was filled by a bed leaving little room for anything else. it was all clean and everything worked, though towels were in short supply. Breakfast was poor having been obviously cooked in bulk several hours earlier and the breakfast room was being cleared for a lunchtime function, so we could not enjoy a leisurely Sunday breakfast. The place is OK if a bit tired and that generally applies to the staff. I haven't stayed in a Best Western for a few years, but the standard is certainly not what it used to be. Average is the best I can say about it.

OK, book this place in advance through Best Western, and it's not expensive. And they include a reasonable full English breakfast in the price. But that is about as good as it gets. For a start, the hotel directs you on a non existent road into a pretty run down part of Manchester. When you get there, you find steps everywhere, a reception that tries to overcharge, and takes payment in advance even though our three night stay was guaranteed by credit card. You are then shown to your room by, in our case, a quite helpful porter, who leads you up and down stairs and corridors, across threadbare and dangerous carpets, to a 'non-smoking' area of the hotel, where the corridor (and some of the rooms) are clearly used constantly by smokers. The hotel has a free internet connection in reception, but you are unlikely to be able to use it as the staff prefer to park their backsides there, and surf. The bar has strange opening hours - basically it is shut until early evening, and closes by the time you have returned to the hotel after dinner or whatever. And, if you are lucky enough to find it still open, it is unlikely that you will find a barman, as he will be off on one of his regular half hour walkabouts. The receptionist can't find him, and the guests certainly can't. On his return, he calls you mate, gets you a drink and then informs you he is closing! Manchester has never been the best place to lay your head, but surely there are better places than this. Oh, and by the way, arrange your own taxi - the one the hotel booked for us was dangerous, filthy, unreliable, old, tatty, and the driver did not even know where one of Britain's best known concert halls is. Stay well clear of this establishment.

We were a little apprehensive after reading some of the other reviews but on arrival we were upgraded to an executive room, which was a pleasant surprise. The room was great. Lovely warm colours. The bathroom, although small, was spotless. The room was lovely and quiet, away from the noise on the front. The breakfast was lovely with plenty of choice and I am generally quite fussy. The staff in the breakfast room couldn't do enough for us. Very polite and helpful. We would definately stay there again in one of the executive rooms.

Grubby,noisy'inadequately heated room with grim decor.offerred 2 changes but each as grotty.Very nasty.

I stayed at The Willowbank for one night with my partner. We booked an executive room on the third floor and we found it to be excellent. It was very clean, the bedding was fresh and excellent quality, the bed was huge (two mattresses pushed together actually, but extremely comfortable) The bathroom was pristine, towels big and chunky, shower temperature stayed constant (I think that's a first for me and I've stayed in a lot of hotels!) The room had a big TV and a digital radio/CD player, and some sort of games system but as we were only there for one night we didn't get to try that out! Service was friendly and efficient. I was looking forward to the breakfast after reading other reviews on this site and I wasn't disappointed! There was everything you could think of, including fresh fruit, prunes, yoghurts, juices, and of course all the usual hot English stuff in an 'all you can eat' buffet. I didn't know where to start! So to sum up, I'm impressed and I would definitely stay here again and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Good hotel for the money, especially with a good breakfast included. We had a room on the 1st floor at the back and found it to be both quiet and clean. The area around the hotel has lots of lively pubs/clubs/restaurants as this is one of the main student areas of Manchester. Bonus is free secure parking in the courtyard. Negative - no wireless internet access, although there is a PC that can be used foc in the foyer. Lots of steps within hotel, reception is on first floor. Didn't see any lifts? so possibly not good for those with mobility probs?

This hotel does not have good service. we came to manchester at 11 pm and had huge problems with our check in. we did not get the room we had payed for, there were a lot of noice at night time so it was impossible to sleep.