Another new aparthotel has opened in Manchester city centre, and Wilde promises some incredible views of the north west.
The Wilde Aparthotel is a premium offshoot of operator Staycity, and has taken up residence in a huge tower building just off St Peter’s Square.
There are 256 apartments within the new hotel, all of which are in the top half of the building – meaning views across the city centre and even toward Old Trafford and the Peak District.
The hotel has been inspired by Oscar Wilde, and has plenty of nods to the poet’s native Ireland.
Irish independent businesses, artists, crafters and photographers have been used to decorate Wilde’s rooms and communal spaces – they say each room will act as a showroom for Irish talent.
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Wilde Aparthotels has opened in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Both guests and members of the public can make use of a lounge bar with more views across the city.
Wilde guests can also access an ‘honesty pantry’, using their room key to shop for cooking ingredients and snacks.
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The aparthotel offers both studio apartments (starting from £120 a night) and one-bedroom apartments (£195 per night).
The bedrooms at Wilde are a ‘showroom’ for Irish creatives. Credit: Supplied
It promises to match home comforts, like fully-equipped kitchens, with hotel perks like a 24-hour reception and a gym.
Each room also comes with 43-inch smart TVs, Smeg appliances, Hypnos mattresses and Grohe rainfall showers.
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Wilde is in the heart of Manchester city centre, close to the Town Hall, Central Library and Chinatown.
Marie England, general manager, said: “I am excited to be part of the opening of this new Wilde, particularly being in such an amazing location which is perfect for visitors wanting to explore Manchester on foot, as well as being central for business travellers.
“Wilde offers a unique blend of home and luxury hotel and has such an original feel, with sumptuous furnishings and quirky design details that guests will love.”
Staycity has two other properties in the city – one in Gateway House next to Manchester Piccadilly and another in the Northern Quarter.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Manchester’s biggest comedy festival returns this week and you can STILL get tickets
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s most popular comedy festival is back this week, and there’s still time to get tickets if you’re up for a laugh.
That’s right – Laughterama is back in Manchester from today (2 September), and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre for five days of fun.
Thousands of comedy lovers attend Laughterama each year to enjoy countless sell-out stand-up sets, and this year will be no different, as festivalgoers are in for an ‘explosive series of shows‘ from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Jack Dee, Nick Mohammed, Sara Pascoe, Fern Brady, and Chris McCausland are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-packed lineup.
They’ll be joined by other big names like Michelle De Swarte, Stewart Lee, Nina Conti, Ivo Graham, Ellis James, and Harriett Kemsley when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September.
Some of the other names you can expect are BAFTA nominee Rose Matafeo, stand-up marvel Sarah Keyworth, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal, and podcast hero John Robbins.
It wouldn’t be Laughterama without some newcomers and breakthrough stars, of course, and on the lineup this year are viral sensation Vittorio Angelone, fast-rising talents Kiran Saggu and Jen Nolan, and BBC New Comedy Award finalist Evaldas Karosas.
Laughterama returns to Manchester later this week, and you still / Credit: Matt Eachus | Supplied
And aside from the comedy, as always, you can expect the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Laughterama 2026 is landing at Castlefield Bowl this week from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September, with tickets now on sale at £29 per person.
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2022 
