Manchester’s newest luxury hotel has a champagne room, a cigar garden and the largest suite in the city

Dakota is hoping to bring a touch of Mayfair to Manchester when it officially opens on 18th May, bringing with it the largest suite in the city, a Champagne Room and a Cigar Garden.

When it comes to swanky accommodation, the new Ducie Street hotel is offering 137 luxury bedrooms and 20 luxury suites – the most in Manchester.

But more than just a place to stay, it also looks to be a destination in its own right for drinking and dining.

There’s a neighbourhood brasserie, a glamorous cocktail bar, a dedicated Champagne Room and a bespoke Cigar Garden.

We went to check it out.

The bedrooms have been created by acclaimed interior designer Amanda Rosa, and all come with an ensuite bathroom featuring a rainfall shower and bespoke toiletries.

In-room features include a smart TV with full Sky package, complimentary high-speed WI-FI and air conditioning.

Classic Rooms, with double or king-sized beds, all have powerful rainfall showers. Garden King rooms on the first floor have their own private garden terrace, plus ensuite baths and separate rainfall showers.

Then there are the suites, if you’re looking for a real treat.

Two Junior Suites offer an 8th floor balcony, king size bed and ensuite bath with separate shower. Signature Suites provide open living space, super king size bed and a spacious double ‘walk through’ ensuite with roll top bath and separate rainfall shower.

Executive Suites are a step-up again, with dual-aspect waterside views.  

For further luxury, the Deluxe Suites offer supreme comfort on the hotel’s top floor with open living space, dedicated seating area, plush bedroom with Emperor size bed, walk-in-wardrobe, ensuite bathroom featuring secrecy glass, roll top bath and separate rainfall shower.  

The ultimate experience is the Grand Deluxe Suite, the largest and grandest suite in the city, positioned on the top floor of the hotel.

This standout suite offers both indoor and outdoor space with a dedicated lounge, dining area, opulent bedrooms, walk-in wardrobe, modern fire place, ensuite bathrooms with steam showers and a sunken bath. It also has its own external terrace, with far-reaching views across the city.

“The most important thing for me is a hotel that makes you feel special, it’s the finer details that make all the difference,” says founder of Dakota Hotels, Ken McCulloch, about the £30 million development.

“I have only the simplest of tastes. I only want the best. It’s all about the simple things done brilliantly. There’s no place like home, but we’re working on it.”

Glaswegian Ken is a pioneer of the boutique city centre hotel concept. Following the success of One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, he went on to found the Malmaison chain.

“We’re so excited about coming to Manchester,” says Ken. “Great cities deserve great hotels.”

But this hotel’s not all about the overnight accommodation. There’s plenty to entice city residents too when it comes to destination dining and drinking in style.

The Dakota Grill, a vibrant neighbourhood brasserie, offers a classically-inspired menu with waterside views. There are also elegant private dining areas, available for exclusive use for parties of up to 24.

Dishes include king scallops with sticky pork rib meat and crackling, corn fed chicken with truffle and peas, and aged beef fillet with potatoes sarladaise, morels and watercress.

Signature prime cut steaks sourced from British farms are a speciality. Grass-fed, 35-day-aged beef is lightly seasoned then cooked simply over hot coals.

But if you’re just after drinks, the hotel’s cocktail bar provides a decadent, Art Deco style setting. The drinks list combines classics with bespoke in-house creations, as well as a carefully curated wine list.

Accompanied by the Champagne Room, the first in Manchester, this thoroughly elegant space is perfect for intimate drinking, as well as exclusive parties for up to 30 guests.

The Cigar Garden is a purpose-built terrace, designed to bring a touch of old-school Mayfair to Manchester.

A dedicated outdoor space, warmed by gas fires, it is the ideal spot for cigar aficionados to enjoy a Cuban or two, paired with a premium cognac or whisky.

Another outdoor space, the waterside terrace makes for an ideal spot for al fresco drinking and dining, also available for exclusive use for up to 80 guests.

The name Dakota was inspired by the aircraft, which transformed the face of air travel by making stylish travel and impeccable service available to all.

And that’s exactly what they’ve brought to Manchester: the finer things in life, but open and accessible to everyone.

Well played, Dakota. We like your style.

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