The manchester Ancoats travelodge is based in the city centre and is 1 of 2 travelodges, ancoats is the nearer of the 2 to picadilly train station. If arriving at picadilly train station the travelodge is about a 5 minute walk although unless you know where it is, its not the easiest place to find.

Travelodge offer double rooms and family rooms which are suitable for up to 3 people. The price of staying in a travelodge widely varies between each hotel although you can get great discount rates, the futer in advance you book the cheaper you can get it.

Travelodge often have sales on which start at 6am in the morning although you really can get some great deals, i stayed at the manchester ancoats for 2 nights in december 2011 and paid a grand total of £18, £9 a night. The latest travelodge sale rooms started at £10 which is still a total bargain for nights stay in the city centre.

The travelodge is very clean and immediatley upon entering the staff are very friendly and happy to help, you also have the option of using self serve machines to check in yourself which i used with no problems. Once i got in to my room although very basic it was very clean and had everything i needed, apart from a hair dryer which you can get from reception free of charge aswell as other items if needed including ironing boards, extra towels etc. The room had a double bed, flat screen telly, tea and coffee facilities, towels and little soaps and showergels.

I was very impressed with the size of the room, it was very spacious and aswell as the double bed also had a large sofa in and a long desk area, and the bathroom was not a bad size too, it had a toilet and bath with a shower over it.

As i was staying for 2 nights around 11am the following morning there was a knock on the door and it was the maid who comes in to make your bed, give you clean towels and fill up the tea and coffee facilities although i said it didnt matter and just got fresh towels, there is a banner you can put on your door which says you dont want the maid to come in although i didnt see this!

Breakfast is not included in the price although can be added for around £6 which may seem expensive although it is a cooked and continetal buffet breakfast so can really set you up for the day, i personally decided against it and decided to go to mcdonalds instead although i may try it next time, if you add breakfast at the time of booking on-line you can save an extra £1 on the price. If you just fancy a snack on the way out there is also a few vending machines although prices were very dear and as your only a few minutes away from a quality save where prices are much cheaper!

There is also a computer in the grounds of the travelodge which you can use the internet on for 20 minutes at the price of £1 which is a pretty good price although you have no privacy and everyone in the hotel bar would be able to see what you are doing!

I stayed at the travelodge as i wanted a cheap and cheerful hotel to use as a base as i went to do my christmas shopping and thats exactly what it is. On the first night i went to watch cinderella at the Opera house which is about a 10 minute walk, the palace theatre is about 10 minutes away too. The travelodge is about 3/4 minutes for the all the city centre shops and the arndale centre, i think manchester is fantastic for shopping and i love the primark and as i went at christmas there were log cabins all over for the christmas markets which were fab!

Checkout was just as easy as checking in, literally just handed my card in (and hairdryer that i borrowed) and away i went. I'd really reccomend this hotel although if you are looking for a more relaxing break and spending quite a bit of time in the hotel it may not be for you although was ideal for what i wanted and needed!