The Britannia Hotel is one of five from the Britannia Chain in the Manchester area, and one of two in the City Centre, the chain appears to be expanding all the time.

Most of the company's hotels are in the North and Midlands, although they do have venues in Brighton, Gatwick and London.

THE BRITANNIA
It is located in Portland Street opposite Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel, and walking distance from G-Mex, the Arndale Centre, Granada TV studios and Piccadilly Square (where all the trams meet) and has 363 bedrooms, including, singles, doubles and family suites.

There are a number of good bars (including Yates and Wetherspoons) and restaurants (chose from Indian, Chinese, Thai and Italian) within a few minutes walk.

The hotel has a couple of restaurants including Bar-Roque which offers meals starting from £5 for a main course and a Pizzeria, a few bars and a disco, and is lit up rather brightly at night, more reminiscent of what I would expect Blackpool to look like, rather than a hotel in the centre of Manchester. The bars and restaurants at the hotel do seem to vary their opening hours very sporadically, so don't be surprised if any or all of them are shut during a visit. The main bar near reception has a wide variety of whiskies, but does not sell Jack Daniels, much to the amazement of some fellow visitors. Draught Lagers on offer are Fosters and Kronenbourg.

The entrance hall is very grand with large stairways and chandaliers almost the size of my living room, it is painted in blue and gold, and has a rather 'indian' restaurant type feel to it throughout.

THE ROOMS
I am now coming to the conclusion that in most cases, you've seen one hotel room, you've seen them all.

EXECUTIVE DOUBLE ROOM
En-suite (bath & power shower. toilet, sink & lots of freebies and towels), with high windows, (not a lot of real light), a desk area, lots of lamps, a settee, telephone, hairdry
er, colour TV (including Sky News), trouser press (well hidden in the wardrobe). Complimentary newspapers are provided, but don't expect them delivered outside your door. The temperatures were very high both in the rooms and throughout the hotel, and I was advised by the receptionist that this is quite usual.

BUDGET ROOM
If you have the misfortune to stay on the 5th floor of this hotel (budget single/double rooms), you do not get a window, you get a skylight in an alcove (I didn't believe this until I saw it last night), so no natural air or light, although I guess if you are travelling on business you are only going to sleep there. Also the TV reception up there is chronic. You also don't get a settee, you get a rocking chair. (This room was cold)

The hotel doesn't provide irons in the rooms, but does have an ironing room situated on the 3rd floor.

BREAKFAST
Self-service basis, including fruit juice, fresh fruits in juices, croissants and cereals.

Cooked food included,
* scrambled egg,
* fried egg,
* normal sausages,
* seasoned sausages,
* fried bread,
* Hash Browns (with Onion),
* bacon,
* black pudding,
* mushrooms,
* beans,
* tomatoes and
* CHIPS!

Coffee/tea and toast in abundance.

RATES
Rates vary according to demand and day.

The Rack rate for double room is £93, but best bet is to book over the internet which should offer the best rates, but if you are attending a conference here it may be worth checking with the hotel to see if a special rate has been negotiated. It might also be worth checking wotif.com for longer stays.

PRICE
I paid £62 for B&B in an executive double room B&B for a Sunday night
and £50 for a budget double room B&B on a Wednesday night. (There are many other hotels in this area offering similar prices even mid-week, providing Man U are not playing at Old Trafford)
.

ACCOUNTS
The company does operate company accounts on a credit basis, but you have to spend a set amount within their chain before they will provide this service (I still don't know what the rate is as no-one followed up my enquiry).

PAYMENT
Payment can be made through cash or credit card, but if using the latter, be prepared to sign for pre-authorisation (something I have never encountered before on my travels).

Corporate credit cards cannot be used without pre-authorisation through their pre-set system, or otherwise must have the signatory present.

PARKING
There is no parking available at the hotel, and thus you must use the NCP car-parks located close by, the hotel do not negotiate any special rates, and it cost us £14.50 for 24 hours. You will find however staying in this area, that with the exception of the Jarvis Picadilly which has limited parking, that most of the hotels have no parking.

LEISURE FACILITIES
There are no facilities available at this hotel, although guests may use the facilities at the Britannia Sachas hotel a short walk away, although unlike most other major chains, these facilities are not complementary to paying guests.

A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE:
The hotel does offer very good standby rates if you just turn up, but don't try this when United are playing at home, or there is some big event in the areas as you will not get a room, in fact, from talking to the receptionists, you will be lucky to get a room anywhere in the Manchester area unless you are sensible to book beforehand. It also houses a disco, and apparently is very noisy at weekends.

SUMMARY
A nice hotel in a convenient location, although nothing out of the ordinary.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Britannia Hotel
Portland Street
Manchester
M1 3LA
Tel : 0161 228 2288
Fax : 0161 236 9154

Best way to Book: www.britanna-hotels.co.uk