The hallmarks of a class act
The first day of any holiday involving an early flight is always a nightmare.
Lack of sleep, driving to the airport half awake and fighting to park once you're there. For us it always ends in an argument and minimal conversation until we reach our destination.
The first day of my last holiday, however, was a joy. We were on the first morning flight from Manchester Airport and we were awake and talking.
The secret is spending the night close to the airport. We stayed at The Hallmark Hotel, Manchester.
They had comfy beds, great food and drove us to the airport in the morning in good time for our flight. The hotel's Park and Fly package offers B&B as well as parking while you're on holiday and transport to and from the airport.
We felt like we got a bonus day added to our holiday.
The Hallmark Hotel Manchester, formerly The Belfry House Hotel, an 88-bedroom hotel, has undergone an extensive 5million refurbishment.
With deep burgundy sofas, resembling a good bottle of red, and light green walls, matching a bottle of white, we felt like we had found a secret French vineyard 15 minutes drive from Manchester Airport.
There were wine-themed pictures and decoration around the corridors and in the rooms.
In the hotel's Brasserie a section was cornered off with bottles of quality wine from floor to ceiling.
Each bedroom features a queen size bed and flat screen TV and room rates include free usage of the hotel's health club and spa – although for us holiday means a well deserved break from running and sit-ups.
Next to the gym was a swimming pool open from early morning to late night.
Instead of lifting weights in the gym we decided to raise our wine glasses in the hotel's Brasserie. The wine list was extensive, ranging from the 13 a bottle Casa de Piedra Chardonnay 2008/9 to the 60 Laurent Perrier Cuve Ros Brut NV. The food menu was filled with mouth-watering dishes made using locally- sourced ingredients.
It was all very well presented and very tasty.
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The Hallmark Hotel Manchester, Stanley Road. Handforth, Wilmslow, SK9 3LD.
Call 0161 437 051, email manchester.reservations@ hallmarkhotels.co.uk or visit the website www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk/manchester/
Park & Fly: Seven days BB 99 per room, includes seven-days parking and return airport tranfers (based on two sharing.
15 days BB 109 per room, includes 15 days parking and return airport transfers (based on two sharing)
Room Rates: The hotel operates a BAR structure (Best Available Rate) depending on demand, day of week. Rooms usually 80-90 BB midweek and 60-70 BB weekends.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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