Hotel Review: Whitworth Locke, Manchester

On Princess Street in the city centre, Whitworth Locke is a couple of minute's walk from the Palace Theatre and Oxford Road, and just over the road from Manchester's Gay Village. Oxford Road railway station is a five-minute walk away, while Piccadilly station is less than ten minutes away by foot. Head to Oxford Road to enjoy a cocktail in The Refuge's grand Winter Garden area before watching a film in the independent arts centre, HOME.

By car: around 1 hour 20 minutes from Leeds, 2 hours from Birmingham and 4 hours 15 minutes from London. There is some free parking available on nearby streets, and parking available nearby.

By train: Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly is 1 hour 30 minutes, and 2 hours 10 minutes from London Euston. Manchester Piccadilly station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Book trains to Manchester.

The public areas in Whitworth Locke set the tone for a stylish stay, with a glass-roofed atrium bar dripping in hanging plants, a monochrome coffee shop, and a tropical-feeling co-working space. The former cotton mill's original exposed brick and pillars have been kept, but designers and architects Grzywinski+Pons have added splashes of vibrant yellow and on-trend lighting.

Instead of receptionists, you'll be greeted by casually-dressed "house hosts", while bar staff are chatty and keen to recommend drinks. The minimalist Locker Room gym in the cellar is as stylish as the rest of the hotel, and regular yoga and fitness classes are held there for guests and locals.

• Coffee shop
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Co-working
• Gym
• Free Wi-Fi

The studios and suites are split across three former export mills and, due to the age and layout of the buildings, vary in size and shape. All have salmon pink walls with brass accessories, such as bedside tables and coat hangers, and green sofas. Rooms have kitchenettes and deep blue bathrooms with pink tiles.

Room types: City Studio, Locke Studio, Suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with rainfall shower, kitchen with Smeg appliances, blackout curtains, smart TV, free Wi-Fi

The Cotton Factory is a pop-up space for visiting restaurants, with the current offering being Peruvian Peru Perdu, which serves steaks, fish and meat dishes, but also an interesting vegetarian selection such as potato pie, black truffle and greens. FDN Whitworth serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with set breakfast menus available for aparthotel guests.

The Foundation Coffee House: coffee and healthy brunch. Open daily 8am-4pm. Brunch dishes from £2.

Peru Perdu: relaxed, Peruvian inspired cuisine. Open daily. Large plates from £10.