"I’m currently spending a few months traveling around Europe, so I’ve stayed in my fair share of hotels. It takes a lot to truly impress me, but The Alan Hotel in Manchester exceeded every expectation. It all started with an incredible staff member named V.
Europe is currently experiencing a heat wave, and after spending two sleepless nights at another nearby hotel without air conditioning, I was completely exhausted. By my third morning, I was frantically searching for somewhere I could finally relax and get a proper night’s sleep. I had walked past The Alan several times because of its prime location in the heart of Manchester, so I decided to call and ask if there was any chance of checking in early.
After several calls that ended with the standard “check-in is at 4:00 p.m.” response, I expected The Alan to say the same. Instead, V took the time to understand my situation and immediately started looking for a way to help. She reached out to housekeeping to see if a room could be prepared early, demonstrating a level of initiative, empathy, and customer service that is incredibly rare. Within just five minutes, she called me back and told me to make my way to the hotel. When I arrived just a few minutes later, I was genuinely surprised that the front desk already knew who I was and was expecting my arrival, a testament to how thoroughly V had coordinated everything behind the scenes. To top it all off, she had even arranged an upgrade to my room. I stay in hotels at least twice a week, and I can honestly say V provided some of the best customer service I’ve ever experienced. She transformed what had been one of the most frustrating mornings of my trip into one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in Europe.
The hotel itself was just as impressive. The lobby, restaurant, and bar are beautifully designed with a modern industrial-chic style that feels both luxurious and inviting. The large windows overlooking one of Manchester’s main streets make it a wonderful place to enjoy a meal, sip a drink, or simply watch the city go by. I also highly recommend adding breakfast to your stay. It was delicious, incredibly filling, and offered an excellent variety of hot and cold options.
My room was enormous, far larger than I expected, and the same thoughtful design continued throughout the bedroom and bathroom. It was stylish, unique, and incredibly functional. The bed was exceptionally comfortable, and despite overlooking a busy street, the room was remarkably quiet. I couldn’t hear any outside noise.
Most importantly for me, the room had excellent air conditioning. During this European heat wave, that has been surprisingly difficult to find. Not only did it keep the room perfectly cool, but it was also whisper-quiet, allowing me to enjoy one of the best nights of sleep I’ve had on this trip.
Thank you, V, for your genuine kindness and for turning what started as a stressful, exhausting morning into one of the most memorable hotel stays of my travels. If I ever return to Manchester, I won’t even consider another hotel. I’ll be booking The Alan again without hesitation."
