Hotel Review: The Cow Hollow Hotel, Manchester

The hotel is in the thick of the Northern Quarter, with vibrant bars, restaurants and arty shops nearby and less than a 10-minute stroll to the high-end shops in Exchange Square. The small Greater Manchester Police Museum is next door. A huge mural called Serenity, which is a tribute to suffragettes, is on the back of the hotel. Eat and drink in nearby Wolf At The Door.

By car: 1 hour 20 minutes from Leeds, around an hour from Sheffield and 4 hours from London. Cow Hollow does not offer on-site parking, though you'll find public car parks nearby.

By train: Manchester Piccadilly is a five-minute walk from the hotel, serviced by trains from London Euston (2 hours), Chester (1 hour 30 minutes) and Liverpool Lime Street (1 hour). Book trains to Manchester.

Exposed brick, glittering mirrors and greenery, including a large fake palm tree, greet you in the hotel's small, glam bar next to reception. Corridors similarly combine restored features from the textile warehouse, such as oak beams, with more modern styling such as oil paintings and statement chandeliers.

The reception staff are enthusiastic, friendly and full of recommendations on where to eat and drink locally - ask about any current special discounts. There's a Whatsapp number to use if you'd like any assistance in your room and prefer to text than talk. There's no spa or gym in the small hotel.

• Breakfast in the room

• Bar

• Room service

• Reception service via WhatsApp

• Superfast Wi-Fi

The layout of the former textile warehouse means standard rooms are small, but they are full of character with exposed brick, huge mirrors and marble fireplaces. They are stuffed with hi-spec touches such as Netflix access and Hypnos beds.

Room types: Standard and Deluxe Rooms

Key amenities: ensuite with bronze rainfall showers, REN toiletries, Smart TVs, Jacob Jensen tech, Hypnos Beds, Goose down duvets, complimentary Prosecco

The small bar is a chic spot to have a pre or post-dinner cocktail. There's no restaurant but a breakfast bag is served to rooms in the morning with items such as granola, brioche and a piece of fruit inside. A complimentary breakfast is a nice touch but items, such as the pastry, could be better.

Cow Hollow Bar: smart, trendy, pre-or post-dinner cocktails. Cocktails £9, wine £7, beer £5 and spirits £5.