Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THINK of Manchester and the mighty giants of English football, United and City, might come to mind, music too and rain, of course, for it is a well-known fact that it always rains in Manchester.
But think art too because this northern city is the home of one of the nation’s most treasured painters L S Lowry (1887-1976), known for his ‘matchstick’ marvels of industrial Manchester and Salford and a stylish hotel which bears his name.
The Lowry Hotel is located by the River Irwell in Salford, a 15-minute stroll from the bustling city centre with its café culture, street performers, cobbled streets, trams, mighty mall and even an impromptu tent town pitched together by protestors. It’s a lively place in more ways than one which helps paint a picture of the diversity of life in 21st Century UK.
The Lowry, boasting 158 rooms and seven suites, was opened in 2001 as part of The Rocco Forte Collection, the company of Sir Rocco Forte, son of the late hotel magnate Baron Charles Forte.
The five-star property was recently sold in a deal worth tens of millions of pounds. The luxury venue – frequented by stars of sport and show business – was bought by Westmont Hospitality Group and its investment partner Mount Kellett Capital Management.
Its management team was kept on to continue running the luxury hotel, the local newspaper reported, and its new owners promised to continue a programme of refurbishments ‘to further enhance the quality of the offer’.
It remains a hot location. It also recorded the fact that the Lowry Hotel has had a bumper year with a dazzling array of A-list stars staying there including Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams and Pharrell Williams.
Footballing hotshots such as Frank Lampard (who stopped off last season for a playing spell wearing the lighter blue shirt of City after a successful career at Chelsea, enroute to a career-ending stint in the US), Marcos Rojo, Radamel Falcao, United coach Louis van Gaal, Daley Blind and Angel di Maria have been photographed coming out of the premises.
I was under strict instructions from my football-mad son, Stan, to pick up any celebrity autographs during my four-night stay and I was sure I spotted Lionel Messi hunched up in the corner of the hotel’s cocktail lounge in deep discussion with a familiar-looking Spanish gentleman. Was that Liverpool’s want-away striker Raheem Sterling next to him?
I might have been imagining it, though, as the Argentinian world Player-of-the-Year appeared on my personal video screen frequently before movies during the flight over on Qatar Airways in an amusing advertisement featuring Barcelona. The airline is a major partner and sponsor of the Spanish side.
Stan will have to make do with the shirt of fellow countryman Sergio Agüero which I picked up in the City Shop’s end-of-season sale. Unfortunately it is miles too big for him and I just hope the player is still in Manchester when he grows into it instead of plying his skills in the shirt of Real Madrid, or their bitter rivals as part of a player-and-cash swap for Messi.
My shopping stint for young Stan got me in fine fettle for the demands of my teenage daughter Immy who was travelling up from boarding school in Yorkshire during a break from GCSE examinations and is known to be able to shop till she drops judged by the reminiscent ache of my feet and dent in my wallet.
Like magic and in one of those rare occasions when all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle you pick up fall neatly into place, my flight and short train trip from the airport and her rail journey aligned perfectly and we met at Manchester Piccadilly as planned within 15 minutes of each other.
Our family-sized accommodation at the Lowry was perfect. The high-ceilinged room, with adjoining bathroom, was spacious with enormous windows overlooking the river and tastefully restored buildings which have been converted into luxurious apartments.
The members of staff were efficient and polite and I was particularly impressed by night manager Adrian Heeks who, despite coming close to the end of his shift, made the time to show me around the gym for my early morning keep-fit session – 30 minutes on the treadmill. I would have gone for a walk down by the river but it looked like a Manchester downpour was threatening.
Somehow the conversation turned to karate, don’t ask me why or how, and I told him about my son’s other great sporting interest and Adrian popped out to his car and before I could mutter the immortal words ‘i! toh! ya!’ he had returned to show me his beloved black belt.
Manchester is full of friendly characters. As Imogen and I went in search of a music shop so she could buy a ukulele (I jest not, apparently EVERYONE is learning to play the ukulele) we bumped into a red ribbon-hatted gentleman who was part of a team offering folk help as they shop and tour the centre, and confidently put us on the right path.
On every street corner there’s an entertainer hoping to form the next Oasis, Joy Division or The Smiths and one crazy old codger put on a charismatic dance display wearing a cop’s outfit. It takes all sorts, although I was besotted by a glorious girl vocalist who belted out a splendid version of soul classic Stand By Me.
With shopping bags and a box containing a ukulele, aptly nicknamed Lowry, we returned to the hotel to refresh for our trip to The Lowry Theatre and Gallery Complex with cut-price designer outlets, situated on Pier 8 at Salford Quays, a taxi drive away. Of course, we called Street Cars, the same name as the cab company featured on the UK’s favourite northern TV soap-opera, Coronation Street.
There’s a copy of an L S Lowry artwork in the hotel room’s bathroom but the complex contains a gallery space displaying a collection which includes about 400 of the artist’s works in oil, pastel and watercolours from all periods of his career.
One of his most famous shows a chap laying on a wall looking exhausted probably after a day shopping with his daughter … I know how he feels.
All that was left was a full English breakfast before Imogen left for her last couple of school examinations before starting a three-year performing arts course in London … perhaps she will earn some spending money busking with Lowry, the ukulele.
As I boarded my Qatar Airways flight from Manchester International the window was splattered by rain drops … I’m sure I’ll even miss those after baking in the Bahrain sunshine this summer.
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It comes as little surprise that Qatar Airways has won so many industry awards after experiencing an enchanting return flight from Bahrain to Manchester via the convenient and impressive Doha hub.
It really is a short hop from the kingdom, no sooner are you up in the air that you are descending into the new magnificent Hamad International Airport which boasts an abundance of comfort, class and convenience for business executives and travelling families with dinosaurs and giant slides to keep the kids entertained, plenty of shopping and eating options and free Wi-Fi areas.
In fact, the first Qatar Airways flight with paying passengers to land there last year arrived from Bahrain, only about 40 minutes from Doha by air.
As I was travelling business class on to Manchester I was able to savour the splendid lounge complex with its delightful dining waiter service, work stations and a picturesque lake-like water feature with raindrops splashing delicately on to the surface.
Currently undergoing rapid expansion, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world.
Voted Airline of the Year 2015 by millions of travellers in the Skytrax Golbal Survey (the third time the airline has come up trumps), runner-up in the previous year as well as being regarded as having the ‘best business class’, this was my first time as a passenger.
The awards are voted for in a global survey and are regarded as a benchmark of airline passenger satisfaction levels. They are not subscriber-based or part of a profit-driven award programme, and are referred to as the ‘Passengers Choice Awards’ for the airline industry.
The food and service during the flight was magnificent, as good as you are likely to get in any five-star establishment, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have eaten in quite a few as a regular dining out critic.
My 180-degree horizontal flatbed Business Class sleeper seat was comfortable and the audio and video entertainment system outstanding.
In a relatively short time, Qatar Airways has grown to more than 140 destinations worldwide. Its network spans business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America. Qatar Airways is also a member of oneworld global airline alliance.
l For reservations call 17505147, call into the office at Al Nakheel Tower in Seef, or visit www.qatarairways.com
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Manchester’s five-star Lowry Hotel has launched a range of new facilities and packages for its growing number of Middle Eastern guests.
Visitors from the Middle East into Manchester are rising 65 per cent year-on-year according to the latest statistics from Visit Britain, with airlines including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad now flying numerous regular routes to the city.
For guests from the Middle East region, The Lowry Hotel is offering four nights for the price of three and seven nights for the price of five, along with a special package that will include chauffeur transfer to the hotel from the airport and convenient early check-in.
All staff are receiving Arabic awareness training to ensure guests enjoy the most helpful and pleasant stay possible. Guests can enjoy delicacies from their region including dates, pistachios and Turkish coffee, and a Middle Eastern breakfast and Halal menu will both be available.
The concierge department can help guests by offering prayer mats, directions and local prayer times and provide a guide to help guests get the best out of their stay in Manchester and the region, including supercar valeting service.
The Lowry Hotel Spa offers a number of packages and special offers to suit all guests – to ensure privacy, one-on-one sessions are available so women can book appointments in advance for a private spa session.
The Lowry Hotel has numerous interconnecting suites perfect for large family groups from the Middle East. Each room and suite boasts state-of-the-art equipment including iPod docking stations, plasma TVs and high-speed internet access.
Manchester is the perfect location for visitors attracted to the city’s mix of football, culture, countryside and shopping. Described by the UK government as the ‘Northern Powerhouse,’ the city is enjoying fast growth, with a big rise in people being drawn to live in its dynamic centre.
General manager Adrian Ellis said: “The Lowry Hotel is proud to be the first choice Manchester destination for visitors from the Middle East.
“Of course, Abu Dhabi investments in Manchester City and across the city explain some of the increase. But we are seeing more guests from right across the region, who view The Lowry Hotel as the place which really caters for them.
“We are seeing large numbers flying in for football fixtures at both Manchester City and Manchester United, and it is pleasing to see them return in the summer after Eid for an extended break. Some are visiting their children who are students in the city, or who are at summer soccer schools.
“We have launched our new facilities and packages to cater for this growing market. These include visits to the countryside or creating a personalised itinerary to match guests’ preference, whether it be a shopping trip, a visit to tours at the football stadia, or to the countryside around Manchester. Our staff can also make private introductions to high end retailers in Manchester such as Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.”
As reported in GulfWeekly, a squad of schoolboys and girls from the kingdom will enjoy training at the Manchester United Soccer School, in association with telecom company VIVA Bahrain, this summer.
