A couple of days ago, a young lady by the name of Alicja dropped off an invitation for the opening of the Holiday Inn Express which is 30 footsteps, yes 30 footsteps away from Sweet Mandarin. So tonight, we went to meet the team and look at the hotel and rooms. I must say, Bob and his team are THE most friendliest staff in the hotel industry that I have ever met. They are a big brand but they integrate well into the local community and include people like us, and other local businesses to help foster a neighbourhood community feel which is fantastic. We welcome you with open arms and look forward to serving your team and your guests at Sweet Mandarin.
For students coming to the famous Manchester School of English and Maths for their Maths GCSE revision courses, this hotel is a 10 second walk to school!
For our Saturday Sweet Mandarin Cookery School, we meet students from all over the UK and beyond. We teach dim sum masterclasses, beginners Chinese and intermediate Chinese courses for those who want a challenge. If you want to make it a weekend event, now you have the perfect place to stay – The Holiday Inn Express.
We like
The clean lines and clever touches like the halogens that change colour every hour which make this place feel like a 4* hotel but you pay the price of a Travelodge. This purpose built hotel has taken over 5 years to build and its been worth the wait. The building is a rare construction, that literally glows in the dark. The bright airy bar ideal for the complimentary self-service breakfast. Note they don’t have a restaurant so do think about booking a table with Sweet Mandarin to make your stay complete.
The rooms
A comforting mixture of contemporary furnishings, paintings and the choice of hard or soft pillows has been used in all 192 rooms, as have the bold colours and tactile fabrics. Bathrooms are spacious, clean and the blue halogens are an excellent touch – it makes it feel uber cool and gives it the wow factor. Oh and you can see Sweet Mandarin from your window – that’s extra cool!
The other guests
Business people and visitors of all ages, as well as young couples will find the Holiday Inn Express a breath of fresh air – comfortable with some luxury and it won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Massive plus, its on the doorstep of a buzzing nightlife and shopping scene.
The bottom line
Rooms cost approximately £75 double. An absolute bargain.
The details
Holiday Inn Express, Goadsby Street, Manchester
www.hixmanchester.com
Tel: 0871 423 4876
Sweet Mandarin
If you’d like to book a table at Sweet Mandarin whilst you are staying at the Holiday Inn Express or the Crowne Plaza Hotel, click here
If you want a takeaway call 0161 832 8848 and check out our delicious menu here
Show your card from Holiday Inn Express or Crowne Plaza for your exclusive discount at Sweet Mandarin
Thank God for Peter Kay. I love the Bolton born comic and man-of-a-thousand-faces who loves Chinese food.
Here’s my favourite joke (thanks Peter) ….. So I went to the Chinese restaurant and this duck came up to me with a red rose and says “Your eyes sparkle like diamonds”. I said, “Waiter, I asked for a-ROMATIC duck”.
Finally, Peter has returned to us in Manchester with his tour which has people in stitches as he turns the most trivial of daily nuisances in the world of the working class family, and turns them into comedy gold. Without this man, life would, quite simply, be a bit boring.
I’ll feed Peter and I’ll feed all you lovely people who are going to see Peter Kay’s show at the MEN. We are next door to the Crowne Plaza Hotel which is a short 5-10 minute walk to the MEN Arena. Approximately 40 furry footsteps and you are door to door. Click HERE for the AA Routeplanner and Map.
OK, and I’ll get you revved up with that uber-annoying (because once heard you can’t get it out of your head) ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’ song that Peter forced upon us, Peter Kay at his exasperated best.
Sweet Mandarin Address: 19 Copperas Street (off High Street), Manchester M4 1HS
I know one day will never make up for all the universal joys and incredible memories of childhood that I’ve shared with my Dad but I wanted to thank you Dad, for being there for me, always, unconditionally and always fighting our corner. Together with the entire world – in celebrations of Dads all over the world on Father’s Day 20th June, I wanted to say I love you Dad.
I remember the midnight jogging sessions to Chaddy park with Dad, my siblings and our dog, Choy Sum as Mum drove the old banger alongside us. Even though we never managed to jog back as we all went home in the car – I loved that sense of adventure you instilled in us.
I remember Mum had gone out to buy the groceries and you decided to be a hairdresser for the day. We all had pudding bowl haircuts……and it was so atrocious you bought us an ice cream to make up for it. I learnt quickly not to let you touch my hair ever again!
I remember the amazing dinners you made us ranging from spare ribs to a whole steamed fish to chicken tomato with an egg in it and your amazing red cooked melt in the mouth chicken. And you allowed me to go on the woks and you taught me how to cook the perfect egg fried rice. Wow – Dad you’re the best.
And now you and the fat baby are partners in crime!
For everyone out there, don’t forget its Father’s Day on Sunday 20th June. We only have a few tables left that evening (5-11pm). If you’d like to tell your Dad you love him by treating him to a delicious Chinese banquet, I’d be honoured to serve you our sumptuous food and ice cold beers. To book your table call 0161 832 8848 or email me lisa@sweetmandarin.com or click here
#994 Sweet Nothing – Going for dinner with friends, and secretly paying for the meal – I love the expression of my friends when they realise.
They say that giving is better than receiving. I agree. Sometimes, when I go out with friends or family, I love to secretly pay for the meal – rather than haggle about who had an extra glass of wine – and just treat them. The favourite bit is the chain reaction when someone finally asks the waiter ‘Please can we have the bill’. The waiter will nod and smile (one hopes) and goes to the cashier who reports back that the bill has been settled. Waiter raises eyebrows – oh right and goes to report back to the table. ‘Sir, the bill’s been paid’. My dear friends at this point shake their head as if they have mis-heard and summons the waiter to repeat those golden words. When it finally settles that the bill has been paid, everyone looks around to figure out whose paid the bill. When they finally deduce that its me, they try to fight me with their £20 notes – ‘come on, take it’.
I calmly say ‘no’ and with my hands try to fend off the £20s that are being waved in my face. Finally everyone rustles the money back into their leather wallets and thanks me. For me, its the element of surprise and treating my dear friends that makes this act #994 Sweet Nothing.
