Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square

In 2018, Aparthotel operator Staycity launched its premium, design-led brand, Wilde Aparthotels. With the name inspired by Irish 19th century literary wit Oscar Wilde, the concept has been rolled out across gateway city centre locations throughout Europe. Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square opened in 2020 and offers all the comforts of a hotel, but with the freedom of staying in an apartment. For the literary traveller, the added twist of staying somewhere with a literary bent is a nice touch.

Location

Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square are ideally located, just 10-15 minutes walk from two of Manchester’s main train stations; Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road. Immediately outside the entrance is the tram stop which connects directly to the main transport hubs, including Manchester Airport.

For bibliophiles, these Wilde Aparthotels could NOT be better situated, with many of the main places of literary interest located on its doorstep (Central Library, Portico Library, John Rylands Library), or a short walk/tram journey away (Elizabeth Gaskell House, Chetham Library). The main shopping district and the very popular Arndale Shopping Centre are just a 10 minute walk from the Aparthotel.

Arrival and Style

The entrance to Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square is monitored by a member of the reception staff, located just inside the door. It makes for a secure and convenient arrival. Later, when the room key card is issued, this will provide 24 hour entry to the building.

The staff at the ground floor reception are polite, efficient and helpful. Having already checked-in online (a pre-requisite), my electronic key card is already waiting for me and I am guided to the elevators and my room on the 20th (top) floor. There is also an alternative reception on the 9th floor, with additional facilities such as luggage storage and is staffed 24 hours a day.

There is no obvious hint of anything related to Oscar Wilde in this first impression of Wilde Aparthotels in the reception area, which is a little bit disappointing, but could be an easy win with a little decorative imagination.

History and Culture

Wilde Aparthotels is part of the Staycity group of Aparthotels, founded in 2004 in Dublin by brothers Ger and Tom Walsh. The “history” of the business is therefore relatively recent, but this hasn’t hindered the company moving forward with integrating a cultural component into their business.

Inspired by the wit of Irish writer Oscar Wilde, Staycity launched Wilde Aparthotels in 2018. These are a premium brand of studio and one-bed aparthotels, where culture and modern design fuse eclectically but seamlessly. Dotted around my superior studio room are flashes of references to Oscar Wilde and other notable literary figures (from a small pile of books in the living room), a large complimentary bar of chocolate with Oscar Wilde’s face adorning it and a selection of Irish landscape wall art, that evokes something spiritual in this observer.

There are other references to Ireland dotted throughout the rooms, e.g. coffee table books, which bring a symmetry to the Irish origins of the writer whose name is front and centre of these beautiful aparthotels and the Irish origins of its founders. In fact, Irish culture has run through this group of aparthotels from their very emergence. The global superstar rock band, U2, recorded their song “Desire” in what is now the living room of the first Dublin apartment where the Staycity story began. As CEO Tom Walsh explains, “we’re very fond of our roots”.

Rooms

On entering the hallway of my superior studio apartment, modern technology immediately announces itself in the form of touch button controls for lighting, air-conditioning and window blinds. It’s an excellent example of how this group of Aparthotels has managed to fuse superior design with a taste of the unexpected, e.g. nice fluffy bathrobes hanging in the wardrobe.

From the hall, entry into a large room reveals an open plan kitchen with dining area and lounge with large television and sofa (which also opens into a sofabed if required). The kitchen area is fully stocked with everything a guest could realistically need for either a short or medium-term occupancy; fridge, dishwasher, microwave, as well as a large range of crockery, pots and cutlery (a general laundry room is also available). A Nespresso machine with a selection of complimentary coffee capsules seals the deal of this being a place where guests can relax, cook and enjoy the creative, but functionally designed interiors.

The bathroom has a modern fully-tiled interior with large rainfall shower and luxurious soap accessories, while the bedroom contains a super-comfy XL-sized bed with high quality linen, spacious wardrobe and large flat-screen TV. The choice of lighting options in the bedroom and the ability to control the blackout blinds via the electronic pad beside the bed, provides an extra sprinkle of ultra-smart fairy dust on my stay at Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square.

Food and Drink

On the 9th floor of Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square there is a large, welcoming reception space with large sofas and high tables, overlooking the centre of Manchester. This is a versatile, multi-purpose space that acts as a bar, breakfast area, relaxing lounge and workspace. It is open 24 hours a day and so those who require beverages day or night will be adequately catered for. For those who prefer not to utilise the extensive range of kitchen implements in their room/studio to conjure up a breakfast, there is a choice of continental or cooked breakfasts available here for a fixed price. I took the lazy option and ordered a taste-tingling Eggs Florentine, which, complete with endless pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurts and tea/coffee cost just £16. There is no lunch or dinner menu but, towards the back of this space, there is a small area with a limited selection of items, e.g. pasta, sauces for guests to purchase, should they wish to put something together in their own kitchen.

From a culinary perspective, Wilde Aparthotels Manchester offers a unique hospitality experience designed for guests to enjoy a city stay on their own terms.

Facilities

This a centrally located superiorly designed aparthotel and facilities available within reflect this. As a city-based hotel, there is a 24 hour reception to accommodate the likely variation that its visitor’s need. It caters for the leisure visitor as well as the work-based traveller because of both the living spaces in the rooms/studios, as well as the 24 hour nature of the 9th floor lounge area.

• Free WiFi
• Bar open 24/7 for drinks and snacks
• Reception open 24/7
• Gym area
• Continental/cooked breakfast option
• Fully equipped kitchens within studios/rooms
• Laundry room
• Luggage storage area
• Non-smoking hotel
• Online check-in

Access for guests with disabilities

The property has 13 accessible studio rooms, with the following features:

• Lower bed
• DDA pull cord alarms
• Lower kitchen cupboards and counter
• The bathroom is a full wet room with shower seat, lower toilet and various hand rails. 

Family-friendly

The Wilde Aparthotel Manchester’s central location makes it a very suitable base for a family holiday with transport links right outside the door and access to many of the city’s green spaces just a short distance away. There are a range of accommodation choices that offer sleeping space for up to 4 people.

Rates

Rates start from £90 for a studio and £135 for a one bed apartment. Continental breakfast £9, cooked breakfast £16.

Niamh stayed as a guest of Wilde Aparthotels Manchester, St. Peter’s Square.

Other Wilde Aparthotels are located in London (three properties – Aldgate, Covent Garden and Paddington), Edinburgh and Berlin. Further properties are scheduled to open in Cambridge, Lisbon, Munich and Porto and two more in London.