Wilde Aparthotels is a lifestyle brand belonging to Dublin-based operator Staycity, with design inspired by Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde. The brand opened this property in February and there are sister properties in London, Berlin and Edinburgh.

On George Street, just off the busy St Peter’s Square in the city centre. It is steps from the tram stop for Manchester’s Metrolink, a six-minute walk from Oxford Road station and a 15-minute walk from Piccadilly station. Nearby attractions include the Grade II-listed Central Library and Chinatown. 

The 256-apartment property occupies floors 9-20 of a modern high-rise, with Motel One on the lower floors. This explains why the leafy green entrance guides you to a set of lifts to the lobby lounge on the ninth floor. Keycards are required to access the building, but new arrivals can ring reception from outside. 

The benefit of having the lobby higher up is that you are greeted by views of the city centre thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass windows. This section of the building also juts out slightly, making for a more interesting façade. The long room features plush furnishings in a warm orange and red colour scheme, and the option for privacy with segmented areas. 

The lobby lounge is a multi-use space, with high-top tables used by staff for  check-in, and by guests for work or for dining at breakfast. Guests are encouraged to check-in online so that they simply pick up a keycard from a staff member at one of the tables on arrival. While I liked the ease of this process, I wonder whether it works at peak times. There are also tablets at several counters to check-in online. Staff are very friendly and helpful.

When you check-in online, you can add extras such as a late checkout (there’s a box to drop your key at the reception and on the ground floor) and breakfast (£15 for adults). 

The accommodations are split into studios and one-bed apartments. All include well-equipped kitchenettes with Smeg appliances, a Nespresso machine and a dishwasher. I stayed in a one-bed apartment on the 20th floor, which sleeps up to four guests – there is a king size bed in the bedroom and a sofa-bed in the lounge. 

There is a contemporary design with an olive-green colour scheme, wood furnishings, brass fixtures, oak floors and nods to the brand’s Irish roots. The aparthotel has partnered with a number of Irish brands.

Minimalist wood shelving jazzes up the wall space with coasters and postcards, as well as complimentary in-room sweet treats, Brew Tea bags in tiny mason jars and a Wilde-branded chopping board. There is also a basket of goodies on the kitchen counter which acts as a minibar.

Bathrooms are small but well-designed, with the toilet hidden behind the door and a shower cubicle a step up with a rainfall shower and overhead shower. There are lovely Handmade Soap Company toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers. The water temperature was a little temperamental. 

Both the lounge and bedroom have large TVs which offer useful guest information and streaming capabilities. There are easy-to-use touchscreen panels for controlling lighting, air con and heating. I appreciated the roller blinds at the windows that blocked light and made for a good night’s sleep.

Wifi is fast and the dining table doubles as a workspace, with plug sockets beneath it. Guests can contact reception via Whatsapp. Housekeeping is offered for stays from four nights onwards (or for a fee).

Breakfast is served in the lounge 7am-10am (until 11am on weekends). It includes a small buffet and hot food to order from a short menu. There’s a pantry to purchase snacks and drinks, too. 

There’s a small gym on the ninth floor.

There are no meeting spaces in the property.

My stay was easy and enjoyable thanks to friendly staff and a comfortable, well-equipped apartment. 

Its prime city centre location

Catching up on emails or relaxing window-side in the light-filled lounge

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in October started from £90 for a Wilde Studio

3 Dickinson Street, Manchester, M1 4LF; +44 203 744 7525; staycity.com

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