A new aparthotel is opening in Manchester city centre, with enormous penthouse ‘super suites’.
The new luxury development from CitySuites has opened just next door to its first, at Embankment West.
The brand new building contains 142 apartments ranging from compact studios to three-bedroom giants, right on the border of Manchester city centre and Salford.
Its facilities include an 18-metre swimming pool, spa pool, steam room and state-of-the-art 24-hour gym.
The pool at CitySuites II. Credit: Louis Cannell
Every single room has been designed to blend ‘the luxury touches of a hotel with the space, privacy and comfort of home’.
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Guests will sleep on Mattison beds and make use of bespoke bathrooms, as well as having access to their own fully-fitted kitchen (with washing machine, dishwasher, oven, Nespresso coffee machine and fridge-freezer), ultrafast broadband, and GHD hairdryers.
CitySuites II‘s crowning glory is its five high-end penthouse apartments, which have views of the nearby Manchester Cathedral and city skyline.
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CitySuites II in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
The largest of the penthouses spans 265 sq metres across the 16th and 17th floor of the building, and comes with a wrap-around balcony overlooking the city.
All of them have floor-to-ceiling windows, SieMatic kitchens, BORA ovens, Lutron electric blinds, home theatre systems and walk-in steam shower rooms.
The CitySuites II apartments can be booked for anything from a one-night stay up to a year-long visit.
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There’s a 24-hour concierge on site, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and residents-only co-working spaces.
Inside CitySuites II. Credit: Louis Cannell
Inside CitySuites II. Credit: Louis Cannell
The arrival of the new aparthotel also comes with new food offerings for the city.
Both its in-house brasserie and bar Embankment Kitchen and its coffee shop the Embankment Cafe are open for business.
Gavin Bailey, operations director of CitySuites, said: “CitySuites II is an evolvement of CitySuites as you know it in Manchester, everything we already are and more.
“The perfect combination of comfort and luxury remains at the core of our design and approach, but with additional facilities, community areas and services we are going a step further in being able to really tailor and personalise experiences for each and every one of our guests.
“The Super Suites will offer a hotel experience currently unparalleled in the city.
“Manchester is the fasting growing city in the UK and the level of hospitality needs to rise alongside this.
“For guests who want beautiful accommodation that is spacious, high-quality yet functional, with all the amenities and services of a 5-star hotel at hand if required, then CitySuites II will be the place for you.”
Featured image: Supplied
City Centre
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Scouting For Girls announce two massive anniversary shows, including one in Manchester
Danny Jones
Long-standing indie-pop act Scouting For Girls have just announced two new very special and very big 20th birthday shows, including a stop right here in Manchester.
In fact, their Manc show will be their biggest headline show to date – and by that we mean in the group’s entire history.
Known for the chart-topping ‘Heartbeat’, ‘She’s So Lovely’, ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’ and many more, the trio are once again heading up North to roll back the years.
This announcement follows the previous batch of anniversary shows for 15 years since their second album in 2025 and ’26, only this time they’ll be toasting two whole decades of being a band.
Credit: Press shots/Near Wild Heaven Records (supplied)
Heading to Wembley’s OVO Arena and our very own AO Arena, this marks a huge career landmark for the beloved noughties band, who have also just released their latest record.
Dropping their seventh studio LP, These Are The Good Days, on Friday, 27 March, they’re still as busy as ever, both in the studio and when it comes to performing live.
In recent times, they’ve once again become a bit of a festival favourite, as multiple generations know every word to those famous choruses.
And now, 20 years on from signing their first record deal, the lads will be playing those same hits and plenty more for what is set to be one big Scouting for Girls celebration.
They’re even bringing along a fellow throwback outfit with them, in the form of The Hoosiers. Can’t lie, we still listen to ‘Goodbye Mr A’ and the rest of the FIFA 08 soundtrack pretty often.
Writing on social media, the band said: “This is going to be a proper 20th birthday party — ALL of album one, all the favourites, huge sing-alongs, massive nostalgia, and the biggest nights we’ve ever done.
🎸 @Scouting4Girls celebrate their 20th anniversary with a huge Manchester show!
Manchester marks Scouting For Girls’ only confirmed show outside of London in 2027 so far, although we imagine there’ll be plenty of appeal for more dates in no time.
Visiting the city six times since 2020 alone, they clearly still enjoy playing up here, and judging by the reaction from the Audio North team, the love for them hasn’t gone anywhere either.
Scouting For Girls arrive in Manchester on 12 February next year, with the mailing presale window (via their website) going live at 10am on Tuesday, 31 March.
As for general admission tickets, they’ll be available from the same time the following Tuesday, 2 April; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
They’re not the only nostalgic name visiting Greater Manchester for a milestone show either – and you don’t have to wait until next year to see these lads up close and personal:
Daisy Jackson -
19th January 2022 
