Hotel Review: Dakota Hotel, Manchester

On the edge of Manchester's cool Northern Quarter and a five-minute walk from Piccadilly railway station, Dakota Manchester is on Ducie Street next to Rochdale Canal. It's around a ten-minute walk to the start of the Market Street shopping area and a five-minute walk to the hip bars and restaurants in Ancoats. Head to the Jane Eyre Bar in Ancoats for a cocktail before a meal in the nearby Sugo Pasta Kitchen.

By car: around 1 hour 20 mins from Leeds, 2 hours from Birmingham and 4 hours 30 mins from London. There is parking available nearby at £30 per day.

By train: Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly is 1 hour 30 minutes and2 hours 10 minutes from London Euston. Manchester Piccadilly station is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Book trains to Manchester.

Classic glamour reigns here with a decadently dark colour scheme throughout, tactile fabrics and lots of candles. But in contrast to its stark black building, inside is a cocoon of comfort with squishy leather booths in the restaurant, a fire next to reception and velvet cushions adding splashes of colour.

The friendly staff want to make your stay memorable and were particularly helpful, for example accommodating dietary requirements in the restaurant. There's no gym or spa but day passes at a nearby PureGym can be arranged. Cigar fans can peruse the hotel's dedicated humidor before relaxing on the bright cigar terrace.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Room service
• Business centre

• Free Wi-Fi

You'll want to spend time in the comfortable rooms and suites with their calming grey colour scheme and luxurious fabrics. The finishing touches in rooms make all the difference, such as a slate to rest your hair straighteners on and well-lit mirrors in grey-tiled bathrooms.

Room types: Classic, Garden King rooms, Junior, Signature, Executive, Deluxe, Grand Deluxe suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with rainfall shower, blackout curtains, TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

Expect classic dishes done well in Dakota Grill, such as steaks, venison and a comforting sweet potato rosti. Save room for dessert, especially the tempting cheese trolley. Sipping a cocktail or glass of fizz at the swish bar is a must, while there's a dedicated champagne room should the occasion require a special setting.

Dakota Grill: sophisticated, social, quality steaks and grill classics. Steaks from £24.

Dakota Bar: glamorous, buzzing, cocktails, speciality spirits and cigars. Cocktails from £9.