As a Londoner discovering Manchester for the first time many years ago, I was drawn in by the huge industrial buildings and the stunning ways in which bars, restaurants and homes made use of these dominating spaces. From a friend's flat in a converted perfumery to the high ceilings and metal fixtures of the Northern Quarter's cocktail joints, my initial impressions of the city were centred around the venues that sing to its history. One such hotel that embodies the gorgeous juxtaposition of old and new is Native; the ultra-hip hideaway at Ducie Street Warehouse.
Introducing... Native.
It really doesn't get any cooler than this Northern outpost of Native. Centrally located near the canal by Piccadilly station, the hotel lies within Ducie Street Warehouse. Having visited the restaurant before, I knew that the menu would be promising, the drinks flowing, and the service spot-on. And I wasn't wrong.
Arriving early and dropping our bags off with the reception, we were led through to the restaurant where a boozy yet classy drag brunch awaited. Doing away with the usual naff performances, these queens mingled with guests, making their way around the room as we dove into a menu of bloody marys (£9.50), Burford Brown scrambled eggs (£8) gochujang fried chicken waffles (£13) and tomato and whipped avocado salad (£5) - the perfect pick-me-up after a long train journey.
First things first at Native Manchester: breakfast.
Before we'd polished off the last mimosa, I had a call from reception letting us know that our room was ready early. So, finishing that last drop, we headed upstairs where our bags were waiting. I should really call this a suite because the 'One Bedroom' is massive. The Native Places group specialise in apartment-style stays, featuring kitchens, luxe bathrooms and cosy beds all in one retreat. In true Mancunian tradition, the walls are bare-brick, with statement metal beams running across (painted blue to match the muted tones). Welcomed with a bottle of wine, we made ourselves at home as we explored our dining area and kitchen, giving way to a spacious bedroom with a plush king-size bed.
Unlike my hometown London, Manchester benefits from huge spaces, and Native really make the most of it. A ground-floor lounge area is the focal point, creating an eye-catching view from our bedroom a few floors up. Plus, there's so much to do within Ducie Street Warehouse itself. We visited in-house boutique gym Blok for a TRX session to wake us up before check-out. Anyone who's on social media will know the iconic cookie slingers Gooey, and they've got a kiosk out front too. While I wasn't ready to check-out just yet, a s'mores cookie sandwich and decadent Biscoff donut make the journey home that little bit sweeter.
Native apartments in Manchester encompass a kitchen, living area and place to sleep all in one.
The DesignMyNight Digest
One night is simply not enough at Native Manchester. After experiencing the warm hospitality and gorgeous, expansive rooms, we certainly didn't want to leave. With all sorts of packages ranging from a Nocturnal Natives rave-cation - which centres around The Warehouse Project and includes recovery packs - to the Dopamine package - offering a gym class and CBD drinks alongside your stay - there really is something for every kind of traveller.
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💰 The damage: rooms start from around £100 per night, stretching to £300+ for the penthouse. 📍 The location: Native Manchester, Ducie Street, M1 2TP. 👌 Perfect for: a cool stay in the city. ⭐ Need to know: make sure to check out Blok, Ducie Street Kitchen, and - most importantly - the calendar for all kinds of events through the year (think DJ sets, brunch parties, Christmas workshops and more). |
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