Is This The Best Budget Hotel In Manchester?

Mollie’s Motels have nothing to do with Soho House. Yes, the group is the brain-child of Soho House Founder Nick Jones MBE. And yes, Mollie’s Manchester, the first city outpost occupies the same building – Old Granada TV Studios – as Soho House Manchester itself. And yes, OK, fans of Soho House will potentially love the low-key-luxe aesthetics and hip, relaxed feel of this new Manchester lodging. But Soho House and Mollie’s Manchester are categorically not related! So there. Now that we’ve addressed the elephant in the room, here’s why (members-club-adjacent or not,) Mollie’s Motel is the best budget hotel in Manchester. 

The Building & Design

The building is the story here. Designed by architect Ralph Tubbs for Granada TV founders Cecil and Sidney Bernstein, the studios opened in 1956 and remain a proper piece of post-war modernist heritage. Mollie’s transformation has been sympathetic: the striking glass and grey-granite facade is intact, albeit with the addition of a fun neon diner-style giant ‘Mollie’s’ sign down the side of it. Inside, the aesthetic feels like a genuine love letter to the era rather than a pastiche of it. Dark wood panelling, terrazzo, aged brass finishes and a warm, mid-century palette run throughout the 128 rooms across five floors. There are pale green walls, blond wood panelling, warm neutrals and subtle accents of burnt-red or deep green leather in seating and banquettes. 

Mollie’s has also worked with a series of local Manchester artists – curated by Sheffield-born Gemma Rolls-Bentley – to create bespoke artworks for rooms and public spaces. I was fooled by the ‘motel’ moniker: I expected fun and functionality and was delivered luxury fittings with a healthy dose of style. The ground floor lobby is a draw too – more so than you’d expect from an affordable hotel. It’s a bar, co-working space and informal living room – all with an easy ‘Mollie’s’ energy that oozes come-as-you-are. 

The Rooms

Prices start from £139, a great starting rate for a base in the heart of the action. From there, the options run from classic doubles, twins and bunk rooms (ideal for groups or families) up through studios to full luxe suites with freestanding bathtubs and walk-in wardrobes. All rooms feature rain showers, ultra-comfy Hypnos mattresses and super king beds and the finish throughout, dark wood, terrazzo and aged brass, holds up whatever room type you’re in. While storage is limited in smaller room categories, larger studio rooms and suites feature spacious kitchenettes, complimentary mini bars, lounge areas and even – a welcome surprise for my sporty son – Peloton bikes in the walk-in-wardrobes. There are Dyson Airwraps, GHDs and full-size Cowshed toiletries in all rooms too (which other hotel group does this remind you of?). My room had a kitchen and thus a hot water tap, but there’s a shared one on each floor as apparently smaller rooms don’t come with a kettle; likely a detail that will lose them a few brew-loving fans.

Mollie’s Diner

On the ground floor you’ll find Mollie’s Diner, already a firm local favourite and a destination in its own right. Mollie’s Diner has been subtly reimagined from its countryside outposts for an urban Manchester audience, with dark wood, brass finishes and leather banquettes inspired by the interior of a vintage Cadillac – but the vibe is resolutely retro Americana. The menu is the kind that makes everyone happy, packed with proper crowd-pleasers, generous portions, accessible pricing, and exactly the sort of thing you want after a long journey or a full day of exploring. Slide into a booth and order the following: baked monkey bread; frickles; jalapeno cheese croquettes, lobster and prawn roll, mac and cheese, chilli cheese fries, a Dr Pepper float and a pistachio cherry sundae. Sure, you’ll feel incredibly unwell afterwards but it is, without a doubt, worth it. 

Breakfast is not included in your room rate but you won’t want to skip it; the waffles with eggs and bacon and maple syrup are just like the ones I had in my youth on cross-America family road trips, and at under a tenner they’re another affordable treat worth travelling for. 

Studio IV

The Beatles made their first TV appearance here, as did the Sex Pistols. Granada Studios has music running through its foundations, and Mollie’s has leaned in with Studio IV – an open-plan cocktail bar in the basement with live music and entertainment, a private-hire green room, VIP bar, snug and a heated outdoor terrace. Since I had a little one in tow and was in something of a carb-coma by 9pm I didn’t get the chance to check it out, but apparently they live stream the bar to your room TV if you want to tap into the action but you’re more of a wallflower, too. 

Explore Manchester 

Mollie’s sits in St John’s, an emerging cultural neighbourhood on the former industrial quays of the River Irwell, between Castlefield, Spinningfields and Manchester Central. Access via Deansgate station and check out The Manchester Opera House and Museum of Science and Industry, the Arndale, the Northern Quarter and the Corn Exchange. It’s worth noting that there’s no parking at the Motel and the nearest NCP carpark will set you back £35 for an overnight stay – an unwelcome surprise for me on check-out – so it’s worth arriving by public transport if you can. 

C&TH Keynotes

• The drink to order: I’ve heard the picante is excellent, but me and my son stuck to coke floats (also fun)
• The dish to try: breakfast waffles
• The room to book: A studio room or suite for the Peloton, the freestanding bath and the walk-in wardrobe at a price that still feels almost unreasonably good
• The pleasant surprise: Besides a Peleton in the cupboard, the full-size Cowshed toiletries
• Don’t miss: Studio IV downstairs, I’ll be back another time to check it out. 

The Last Word

This is not your average motel. Sleek style, impeccable service and luxe unexpected extras that you just don’t usually find in an affordable hotel, Mollie’s really hits the sweet spot for a simple stay in Britain’s buzziest city. 

BOOK

mollies.com/manchester | Rooms from £139 per night.