The Rex Manchester: Art Deco Luxury Hotel Review
Three years ago, Chanel selected Manchester instead of London for its prestigious Métiers D'Art fashion presentation. Soho House welcomed guests in November at the location of the old Granada Studios. Additionally, the Brit Awards moved outside the capital for the first time during their glamorous e
Three years ago, Chanel selected Manchester instead of London for its prestigious Métiers D'Art fashion presentation. Soho House welcomed guests in November at the location of the old Granada Studios. Additionally, the Brit Awards moved outside the capital for the first time during their glamorous event earlier this year. Despite its industrial roots, Manchester continues to excel in areas of elegance and sophistication.
Approaching the address at 100 King Street, home to The Rex which is Edwin Lutyens's striking white Portland stone Art-Deco creation located across from a Vivienne Westwood store, signals an exceptional experience ahead.
The Grade II*-listed structure, previously the Manchester headquarters for Midland Bank, earns its nickname as The King of King Street with good reason. Once among the tallest structures in the city, it continues to exude pride and grandeur. The Rex now operates as a five-star luxury hotel and private members club, previously operating under the name Hotel Gotham, and it reopened in April following extensive renovations.
Every element appears deliberate, ranging from preserved period features to distinctive eclectic accents that reference the building's rich heritage. For instance, an inverted ceiling installation of umbrellas in the entrance area offers a humorous nod to Manchester's typical climate. Guests receive a welcome on the fifth-floor check-in area from Albert, a life-size cardboard artwork by sculptor James Lake that has become the establishment's official mascot. In other areas, vintage typewriters decorate walls in dining spaces after being uncovered within the former bank vaults throughout the refurbishment process.
We enjoyed afternoon tea priced at thirty-five pounds per guest while piano music played softly nearby. The charming wildflower and butterfly tea set provided a cheerful contrast to the cloudy Sunday weather outdoors. From a selection of twelve Ceylon teas, I opted for the refreshing and subtly unique white tea named Silver Tips after being intrigued by options such as Planters Mistress described as a scandalous reinterpretation of a beloved aristocratic favorite.
Descending the hotel's renowned staircase, which attracts bridal photographers along with television and film location scouts, reveals the initials MB representing Midland Bank embedded in the original ironwork as an elegant tribute to its banking origins.
As a dedicated lifelong admirer of The Smiths, I could not help smiling upon discovering my accommodation named The Morrissey. Additional rooms bore names like The Burgess and The Sumner, each honoring prominent figures from Manchester who influenced the city's cultural landscape. These accommodations feature amenities from Urban Apothecary, retro-style Roberts radios, and artisanal treats including handmade biscuits along with chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles sourced from Slattery, a family-operated local chocolatier.
Located deep within the building's foundations are two exceptional event venues. Treasury offers a refined space concealed in the old bank vaults equipped with a stage, bar, and original tilework that adds exclusivity and personality to events. The former counting room can be reserved for private screenings, cabaret shows, celebrations, or conferences with added flair. Strongroom represents another highlight hidden behind the bank's historic vault doors, where the focal point of its creatively designed interior is a dining table accommodating twenty guests that transforms into a full-size snooker table.
A memorable part of the visit involved the gin tasting experience highlighting sustainable methods and artisanal focus from North Uist Distillery, a three-time winner of Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year located in the Outer Hebrides. Sara, serving as the ambassador, shared the vision of founders Jonny Ingledew and Kate Macdonald while guiding us through their Downpour collection of gins.
We sampled the Scottish Dry variety incorporating wild Hebridean heather foraged by locals who trade it for gin through the distillery's barter program. Next came the citrus-forward Coast and Croft expression relying on hand-collected pepper-dulse seaweed for its distinctive umami notes ideal in a dirty martini. Additional tastings included a pink grapefruit variant and a delightful sloe gin perfect for holiday occasions, a negroni, or a rainy Sunday evening.
Our evening meal still lay ahead featuring a five-course tasting menu at Reign, The Rex's two-AA Rosette fine dining restaurant costing sixty-five pounds per person for food alone. Memorable courses included Argentinian prawn paired with white crab and spicy Kewpie Japanese mayonnaise accompanied by a flavorful La Marimorena albariño from Galicia in northwest Spain, plus an exquisite lamb cannon served over spinach with barbecued grapes. Although not typically inclined toward desserts, the Fabergé yoghurt mousse topped with thinly sliced kumquat, delicate crushed almond crumb, and red berry coulis won me over completely.
Upon rising to clearer skies the next morning, I stepped outside for fresh air on one of three heated rooftop terraces. Each extends from Reserve, the sixth-floor private members club, and provides unique perspectives across the cityscape. Our terrace offered views toward the undulating hills of the Peak District.
The Rex occupies a prime position convenient for any purpose in Manchester. Numerous upscale boutiques and jewelers stand nearby with the main shopping street just blocks away. Business visitors will appreciate proximity to the financial district in Spinningfields. Those seeking the Northern Quarter boutiques, trendy cafes and bars in Ancoats, or various cultural attractions can reach these distinctive neighborhoods via a brief fifteen-minute walk from the hotel.