Meliá to open their first UK hotel outside London
The Spanish-owned hotel operator, previously called Sol Meliá, made the announcement at an international tourism fair in Madrid. The hotel will feature 208 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar, wellness suite and conference facilities.
The Innside Manchester Hotel will be the first Meliá Hotels International site under the 'superior or upscale' Innside brand in the UK. The brand is currently one of the most popular in Germany.
Gabriel Escarrer, chief executive and vice chairman of Meliá Hotels International, said the opening was part of a plan to have a higher profile in European cities.
"We are hugely excited about the culture-led vision for First Street in Manchester, a world-class city, ready for an Innside-brand hotel. Within our strategy to expand in the main European cities, the group is looking forward, subject to planning approval, to being located at such a vibrant destination," he said.
First Street, Manchester
Innside Manchester will will form part of the 20 acre First Street development in Manchester city centre. The site will also feature a budget hotel, two theatres, a cinema, galleries and restaurants.
Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council leader, said: "The First Street North scheme and Meliá’s choice of the city centre as their first UK investment for the Innside brand, is a multi million pound vote of confidence in Manchester’s vision and ambition and is especially welcome in the current economic climate."
ME London hotel
Meliá Hotels International currently operate the Meliá White House in Regents Park, London and are planning to open the ME Hotel London on The Strand this year.
Plans for the hotel will be submitted to Manchester City Council on Monday January 23.
