Britannia Country House Hotel

How does one review a hotel that they only had to stay in because they were displaced from their home due to an exploding toilet?
Our landlord was willing to stump up £40 a night for a hotel (which was, in their words, «so you don’t go staying at the Hilton», as though there is nothing between cheap-​as-​chips and luxury) and as it turns out there are two hotels in Manchester that do rooms for that price. This one, and one in North Manchester. We decided we would stay South for consistency.
I didn’t have the greatest of times in this hotel but I can hardly blame that on the hotel. It’s actually really good for the price point. I didn’t eat or drink anything other than a can of coke from the vending machine so can’t comment on that.
Our room was huge as we got a family room for some bizarre reason. The bed was comfy. The décor was actually quite tasteful and nice. It even crossed my mind that the stripy wallpaper would make a good backdrop for some Instagram selfies (which I didn’t take because I was too miserable for selfies).
The location isn’t too bad. Just next to a bus stop and about ten minutes on foot from West Didsbury tram stop. The grounds of the hotel are actually really beautiful. And it’s really close to a fantastic park called Marie Louise Gardens where I went and made friends with some squirrels (just call me Snow White).
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend you go on your holidays here but out of necessity you could do a lot worse. They do really cheap airport transfers (I think it might be around £6) so not a bad option if you’re flying.

I would not know how to rate this as a hotel because I did not get a room. So I’m rating this purely for it’s food and atmosphere…
Traveling down the slippery roads at night we almost walked passed this place. The sign was unlit and dark against the night sky. Thanks to my beady eyes I spotted it though!
After walking around the giant complex which had a club connected to it called Friday’s I was pleasantly surprised. this place oozed of Christmas. everything was beautify decorated in reds and golds which complimented the wooden paneling.
There were several function rooms encircling the open bar in which each one opened up to a giant room laid out with dozens of large circular tables…
I came here for my works do and so I did not know what to expect…
The staff greeted us with mulled wine and buck fizz and we had the choice of two open bars to continue our top ups. the floor was really sticky… I almost lost my shoe a few times around the bar!
The food they put on was good in all honesty, serving veggie lasagne or chicken curry with lots of festive side dishes. for dessert a lovely lady prepared us skewers under the chocolate fountain.
We were then led to the club like lambs to the slaughter at 11. this was well designed because those did not wish to dance could go in separate rooms away from the noise… and raid a candy cart of course this place had another bar… with was £3 a shot of sambuca!!!
Overall considering I had a free night It was good. But I think if I stayed here as a paying guest i would also have rated this poorly.
The staff at reception were not welcoming, fine detail like sticky floors and expensive drinks also drove this to the ground. I think this place is ok as a venue but nothing else…

We were due to go abroad on holiday, but due to the weather in December, our flight was delayed for 18 hours. «Oh thank you First Choice Holidays for putting us up in such disappointing Hotel».
OK the alternative was stopping in an Airport all night so beggars can’t be choosers (or so the travel companies would have you believe) especially when I had paid a very substantial amount to head abroad.
We were given a small room hardly big enough to swing a cat, the TV had a fuzzy picture that was unwatchable, the remote control was missing and half the lights didn’t work.
When I tried ringing the reception there wasn’t an answer so I wasn’t surprised when I walked to the reception to book an early morning call that this never happened either.
The food was poor and drinks expensive.
If you are planning on stopping here don’t expect a lot (well not in my opinion) and after reading other reviews I’m obviously not the only one. At least I know to avoid any more of this group Hotels.
Will rate this as one of worst I have ever stayed in

I approached this hotel from the North and walked past some shabby-​looking club with what looked like a hotel nextdoor to it, and I remember thinking «Thank GOD I’m not staying there, that would be a NIGHTMARE.»
Turns out, even though it was a further 10 minute walk to the hotel driveway and another few up the driveway, my room was actually SO FAR away from reception that it was indeed, right next to this nightclub. In fact, the room RIGHT next to it. On the ground floor. I could barely sleep for a) the noise and b) the fear of having a brick put through my flimsy-​looking window.
The furniture in the room was definitely older than I am, the whole room smelled old and awful to the extent that I had to wash even the clothes I hadn’t worn when I got home.
Only gets the controversial second star because I left something in the room and they very kindly posted it back to me.
Really don’t stay here — I was on my own and it was cheap so I didn’t really care but if I had been on holiday or with someone I would have been REALLY annoyed.

Though I’m furious, I have to say I’m really not surprised.
The Britannia brand is a dinosaur on its last legs and the sooner it becomes extinct the better off the landscape of hospitality will be.
The rude staff I’m used to, windows replaced with painted murals I’m used to, the dated décor I’m used to, even the dirty rooms with unmade beds and hair filled sinks I’ve seen enough times to become immune to. But at the Country House this weekend this oafish fuddy duddy of a chain ruined a young bride’s big day and charged her £4000 for the pleasure– that I’ll never be comfortable with.

First, an admission: it’s nearly 10 years since I stayed here. However it was so bad I vowed then I’d never return, and I haven’t.
My then girlfriend and I were about to go on holiday together for the first time and had chosen to fly to Ireland for a few days; but the holiday got off to the worst possible start when British Airways cancelled the last flight from Manchester to Cork. That evening they put us up overnight in this hotel.
We had to report at Manchester Airport at 5am the next morning for the first flight out of town! The only good part of such an early start was that we didn’t have to endure the hotel for very long; the food was poor, the service was slow, the rooms were disappointing, and the whole experience was utterly appalling. We felt like refugees and to be honest it seemed as though we were being treated like them.
I was so cross I wrote to British Airways afterwards who apologised and sent quite a generous voucher against future flights — which, I’m happy to report, I was able to put towards our honeymoon the next year (we’re still together, thank you for asking, with two gorgeous children). That was about the only happy ending we got from this abysmal, dreadful hotel!

I honestly don’t think i’ve stayed in such a poor hotel. For me, the only thing going for it is that it’s very cheap. The compliments I’m afraid ends there. If you need a hotel close by within the same price range go to the Premier Inn (West Didsbury).

Does your heart sink when you are greeted by a little, doe-​eyed receptionist, who announces I’m being trained? I know it’s got to be done, but 7.30 pm on a Friday night is possibly not the best time for training. It took 3 of us half-​an-​hour to run the training gauntlet and get booked in, whilst a dismayed, straggling trail of travellers built up behind us.
We’d actually been on the premises earlier at midday (it’s a long story), just parking up the cars and seeking a thirst quencher. The bar sign said Open for delicious bar snacks and refreshments, but no-​one was behind the bar, and a passing staff member said it was shut; then a Manager type came round the corner and said it was open, and said he’d send a waiter. who came just as we were about to leave for our appointment, 20 minutes later.
It’s a shame, because the Hotel has a lot going for it: a couple of restaurants, a health suite, extensive parking and an airport bus service, golf course next door, and a good bar with quirky furnishings. But, in the end, there were too many faults. My room (37) for example: waste bin unemptied from previous occupant, no soap, TV faulty, lamp bulb faulty, and a bed that twanged and felt like a corrugated iron roof.
The Hotel rates 3 stars from the English Tourist Board. The Britannia Hotels Group have 8 hotels in the Manchester area; they are struggling with this one.