Inspired by the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, we travelled by train to England in March. Combining ESC host city Liverpool with the industrial heritage of Manchester. Manchester to Liverpool was also the first steam railway line ever. A perfect pretext to travel to The North.

For our stay in Manchester we reserved at the Edwardian, a Radisson Collection hotel. After my previous breath-taking experience of a Radisson Collection property at the Palazzo Montemartini in Rome I was very much looking forward to our stay.

The Edwardian in Manchester consisted of a classic front building at Peter Street connected through a glass atrium with a modern tower behind it just opposite the Manchester Central Convention Centre. The location in the city centre makes it possible to reach all important sites on foot.

As we had an early arrival our room wasn’t ready yet, but we had a friendly welcome and all administration was already done so we could just get our key later in the day. We left our bags at the concierge and headed into town. The lobby consisting of both the old entry hall with the reception and the modern atrium with the concierge, stairs and elevators was a really nice space with a big cock used as a decoration.

In the afternoon we returned back with our shopping and received the keys for our room on the third floor. The room was starting to look a bit dated with it’s mid 2000’s décor, but was certainly well designed and maintained.

Ample plugs where provided, with even European and American plug sockets next to all the British and usb plugs.

The 2 single beds where very comfortable and provided us with a good night’s sleep. Complimentary bottles of water where provided in the fridge as well as coffee and tea facilities above it.

The TV was a bit oddly tucked away in the corner but did provide a built-in Chromecast so we could easily stream out entertainment, a big plus.

The bathroom was a bit in a strange design, you had a sort of antechamber open to the room with both the main closets and the washbasin.

After that you had a frosted glass door leading into the main bathroom with the toilet. A walk-in shower and a bath tub. The walk-in shower wasn’t the most ergonomical one as the shower head was a bit too low, so I had to duck to be able to proper shower under it.

The hotel provided toiletries in multi-use containers but at least they provided shower gel and shampoo at both the bath and the shower (something InterContinental Paris Le Grand could learn from).

In the basement there was a large wellness area with both a well-equipped gym and a spa area. Upon entering at the desk you were provided with pool towels. Timothy however found the opening hour of 7:00 in the morning quite late, a 6:00 opening time would be more convenient for a lot of guests.

The spa area contained a large pool with nice warm water and fantastic jacuzzi. There were also showers that provided different functions of hot and cold sprays as well as a sauna and a steam room.  We had some very nice time in here and it is certainly a big asset for the hotel.

The breakfast in the morning was the saddest affair of the hotel. While the hotel restaurant, Peter Street Kitchen, looked absolutely stunning, the breakfast buffet was a bit poor. The reception and service by the staff was excellent, your tea or coffee or anything ordered from the made to order menu was swiftly brought to your table.

The made to order menu was quite small but did offer both a Japanese and a Mexican inspired item. Both where however rather small but delicious.

The buffet itself offered very high quality and delicious items but a small offering and no variation the next days. For a 5 star hotel I expected more, either a bigger offering or changing up some items each day. Also the lack of local specialities is unfortunate.

All in all we did have a solid stay at the Edwardian in Manchester, it certainly is a good option for a stay in the city. At times it might have felt like a really good 4 star superior hotel but missed a bit the final touch to make it truly a 5 star hotel but still we wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.

Liverpool & Manchester 2023

1. BEHIND THE SCENES | Gustaph and ‘Because Of You’ to represent Belgium at 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.
2. REVIEW | Avanti West Coast Lounge London Euston station.
3. REVIEW | London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street on Avanti West Coast’s pride train.
4. LIVERPOOL | 2023 Eurovision Song Contest venues & locations: arena, fan village, EuroClub, EUROfansCLUB.
5. A visit to the Museum of Liverpool.
6. LIVERPOOL | Merseyside Maritime Museum ft. Piermaster’s House, Border Force National Museum and International Slavery Museum.
7. LIVERPOOL | Western Approaches / Liverpool War Museum.
8. REVIEW | Radisson Red Liverpool.
9. Discovering Liverpool.
10. Liverpool to Manchester on the very first – 1830 – railway line.
11. MANCHESTER | Imperial War Museum North (IWM North).
12. Manchester’s gaybourhood around Canal Street.