The Lowry is just a very well run hotel,where nothing is too much trouble,from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave the place is seamless!
When you arrive the bags are whisked from the car and are delivered to your room before you get there.Not many hotels achieve this.I was checked in by the happy,but highly organised Matilda,who along with Rachel I have dubbed the Julie Walters and Victoria Wood of the world of reception,but their humour and genuine interest is coupled with supreme efficiency.
The beds are big and comfy number one priority for any hotel.
This was a short stay before flying,but I was able to pack a lot in to 48 hours!An excellent Massage with Leanne the spa is calm and relaxed,as it should be.I also went to see Oliver an excellent production with Neill Morrisey well worth it if you get the chance.I went to The Midland French one evening(see separate review).I also had an excellent meal in the Riverside(the hotel restaurant).They have re-vamped the menu and made it more contempary.I had a spicy duck spring roll,followed by a sweey french onion soup that was lovely,followed by Wiener Schnitzel which was perfectly cooked and it would have been rude not to have the Chololate fondant.My friends enjoyed their evening as well.It was washed down with a Margaux 2007 which was sublime.
I would like to pick out 2 other people Lucy in House-keeping is just so helpful,and Nathalie in the bar.She is just one of those people who could bring a smile to the face of Mr Glum!
Are there any downsides(not really)I think they are in the process of adding more plugs in the bedrooms,as in the age of technology one plug is not really enough.But this is minor nit-picking.
This is worth a stay when you in Manchester !
Kendal Mint

Called for lunch last Friday, weather was lovely so it was a very pleasant view from the bar and restaurant, staff friendly and helpful but the lunch was very ordinary.

I'd been to the Lowry Hotel for business meetings/seminars in the last few years but never stayed there as its still only a 45 min drive from home. It had always impressed me so when an evening out in Manchester with friends came up we decided to stay, and since our room only cost £127 in advance it was also a great deal.
Big car park out front (£12 overnight) had plenty of spaces at 5pm on a Saturday night so arrival was painless and an attentive doorman offered to help us with luggage as soon as we got out of the car.
Check-in was swift and efficient, we refused the offer of room upgrade+free movies+free internet for £40 and went straight to our room. The great thing about this hotel is the sense of space....the lobby is spacious and open and the corridors were all huge and wide, not the usual 6ft wide of most hotels. Our room was huge, the bed was a double kingsize and we had a walk-in wardrobe and large bathroom, The view wasn't spectacular but since it was dark it didnt matter.
I decided to nip down and get a couple of glasses of wine , this was my only minor negative of our stay,i was charged for large glasses but only received small ones...i only realised this later in the evening when we returned to the bar for drinks.
After getting ready to go out we met up with friends in the bar and had a bottle of wine, the waitress brought some nice nibbles too...more than normal too. The bar is nice, plenty of chairs and sofas and stools. Drink prices were about par for a hotel of this kind, recommend you buy a bottle of wine rather than individual glasses of house wine.
After drinks we went out into Manchester across the fancy footbridge across the canal that links the hotel with the City. We ate at San Carlos (see other review), it took 2 mins to walk from hotel to restaurant.
We returned to the bar after our evening out for a few nightcaps. The security was efficient and ensured only residents came in to the bar after midnight,
The bed was comfortable, ventilation good and with so much room no smacking of knees on corners in the night.
We didn't have breakfast at the hotel the next day, would have been £20+ though.
Checkout was swift and no surprises on the bill.
WOuld love to stay here again, as a base for a shopping/eating weekend in Manchester it is hard to beat for quality. It's position is perfect and the staff very professional....being asked by a cocktail waitress if i'd like to be finished off was a nice treat !....i think she meant the nearly-empty bottle of wine though !

We stayed for one night to celebrate Richard's birthday, we were allowed to check in early as our room was available and we were shown to our room by Rachel the receptionist who was very kind, peasant and informative.

The room was spacious (531) with a massive bed and walk in wardrobe, that Lisa enjoyed very much. We used the gym, sauna and relaxing room and even chilled at the bar with a delightful cocktail in the evening after our night out.

The staff were very helpful and pleasant to deal with and would definite recommend guests to use the facilities on offer.