A £30 million new-build rising from a former canal-side car park in Piccadilly Basin is not the most obvious origin story for one of Manchester's most atmospheric hotels, yet Dakota Deluxe Manchester, which opened in 2019, makes a compelling case for building dark rather than bright. KPP Architects delivered a nine-storey block clad entirely in near-black brick and glazing, its facade articulated by luminous white-framed window grids that glow against the dusk sky like something between a New York loft building and a northern mill — the effect is unmistakably urban, assured, and a little cinematic. Inside, interior designer Amanda Rosa's signature palette runs deep brown, cognac leather, burnished brass, and charcoal throughout. The bar is the spiritual centre of the ground floor: long black-granite counters, rows of brass pendant tubes descending from the ceiling, and walls hung with monochrome photography create an atmosphere closer to a serious cocktail bar than a hotel lobby. The 137 bedrooms and 27 suites follow the same logic — leather-upholstered headboards, woollen throws in taupe and camel, dark timber joinery, and Venetian blinds that filter Manchester's grey light into something almost flattering. The Grand Deluxe penthouse suite claims the title of largest hotel suite in the city, a boast that the building's massing, rising commandingly above the Basin's waterways, does nothing to contradict.

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Dakota Manchester combines style and impeccable service, with sophistication at its heart. With a destination cocktail bar and brasserie-style grill, quality produce is showcased at its best in a stunning setting. Located on Ducie Street, in Manchester city centre, just a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station, this boutique hotel is the ideal location. Dakota Grill offers signature steaks from the best British farms, as well as the freshest seafood dishes and desserts. The bold, stylish bar provides timeless classics and modern creations, enjoyed on the outdoor terrace, in the Cigar Garden or in Dakota’s Champagne Room. Luxury hotel rooms and suites provide an ideal retreat, from the elegant Classic Rooms and Garden King Rooms with terraces to Manchester’s largest, most striking penthouse suite, the two-bedroom Grand Deluxe, with views across the city. All are equipped with smart TVs, Sky packages, complimentary WiFi, en-suite bathrooms with rainfall showers and bespoke toiletries.