We Review TRIBE Manchester Airport: The Brand New Airport Hotel With A Mediterranean Restaurant

Let's be honest: airport hotels, like their namesake, rarely inspire much excitement - they're drab, forgettable and, at most, a functional necessity. But what if we told you Manchester is home to one that is effortlessly stylish, surprisingly vibrant, and designed with the modern explorer in mind? That's right, TRIBE Manchester Airport is all about rewriting the jet-setting script, and we couldn't help but pop down for a night of ultimate rest and restoration.

DesignMyNight Review Of TRIBE Manchester Airport

The busiest hub outside of London, Manchester Airport offers far-flung getaways to Thailand, quick hops to Edinburgh and everything in between, with direct flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide. If you're one of Manny's many frequent flyers, you probably stay prepared for the unexpected challenges of travelling at a bustling terminal, like random delays, overnight layovers, and early departures, which, unfortunately, are all part of the journey — but that doesn't mean your comfort needs to be compromised.

As the largest hotel in Manchester, with a whopping 412 rooms, TRIBE Manchester Airport is as stylish as it is functional.

Located just a stone's throw from the airport, TRIBE is designed in a minimalist yet striking layout - ideal for savvy travellers. There's sleek furniture, ambient lighting, a contemporary open lobby and a stunning inner atrium that bathes the main floor with natural light, including areas ranging from a laidback lounge to an eye-catching bar and the hotel's delish Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, TRIBE table.

Checking in was swift and seamless, and afterwards, we made our way through the stylish building, where we enjoyed playing spot the Manny-inspired artwork scattered throughout, paying tribute to the city's rich musical scene, its industrial roots, and even the McVitie's biscuit factory (because if there's one thing we love more than a well-designed hotel, it's a cheeky nod to a good digestive). The bedrooms were definitely the highlight of our stay. Squeaky clean and breezy, our TRIBE Essential Atrium (from £94 per night) measured 17m² and was decked out with walls splashed in shades of blue and green, featuring panoramic windows (offering charming views of the airport — if you're into that kind of thing).

The bed had possibly the comfiest hotel mattress I've ever laid in; king-size and dressed in crisp, white sheets, accompanied by an assortment of bouncy, cloud-like pillows. Overall, the room was spacious, cosy, and decked out with all the essentials: a Nespresso machine (because 4 AM flights happen), a smart TV, hairdryer, a steamer to keep your travel outfit fresh, and even high-end Kevin Murphy toiletries (yes, the same ones Demi Moore swears by) carefully arranged in a glossy bathroom, which was adorned with a lighter terracotta hue and large black and white shower facilities. The cherry on top? A much-needed rain shower after a long day spent sitting cramped beside strangers.

TRIBE table is just part of the experience that helps you check-in, wind down and take off in style.

Craving some artisan pasta before take-off? As the aroma of Italian cuisine wafted from the open kitchen upon entering the hotel, it lingered in our noses, prompting us to jump straight to dinner at TRIBE Table after freshening up. The hotel's lively in-house restaurant offers travellers and locals alike a convivial atmosphere with a focus on fresh, authentic, homemade Italian-inspired grub. We began our meal with a lineup of drool-worthy appetisers, namely the calamari (£9) served with Amalfi lemon and verde mayo — a light, crispy, and perfectly seasoned bite that instantly transported us to a beachside trattoria. Next, we enjoyed the mozzarelline fritti (£7), which came with black truffle and gremolata, delivering warm, gooey indulgence with just the right hit of earthy richness. As we savoured these dishes, we complemented them with a heavenly bottle of Italian rose mixed with a drizzle of lemonade (shoutout to Louis, an excellent suggestion by our equally fantastic waiter).

For mains, the grilled bavette steak (£24) arrived cooked to perfection, accompanied by a peppery rocket and parmesan salad, along with a generous portion of fries (£5). The real standout, however, was the paccheri with black truffle and parmesan (£19). Each bite of the decadent dish was enveloped in a velvety, umami-rich sauce, and the pasta itself was textbook al dente, especially paired with a side of crispy roast potatoes (£5). With our bellies about to burst, we opted for liquid indulgence instead of dessert. I chose the TRIBE Spritz (£8), a refreshing mix of limoncello, prosecco, and granita, which served as the perfect citrusy pick-me-up, while my dining companion enjoyed a special Valentine's Cocktail (£8) reminiscent of candy — sweet, playful, and dangerously easy to sip.

At TRIBE Manchester Airport, layovers are never an afterthought, with Italian-inspired menus hitting the mark.

Finally, no early flight is complete without a solid send-off, and TRIBE's breakfast buffet did not disappoint. We rose from the dead in the AM to a gorgeous spread of deli meats, hot plates featuring all the components of a full English (beans, sausages, bacon and hash browns), eggs made to order, fresh juices and a dreamy bakery section which served as the perfect pre-flight feast.

TRIBE Manchester Airport: Overall

Offering no-frills-but-all-the-comforts with its sleek, modern design, buzzing social spaces, and thoughtful amenities, this hotel is the kind of spot where you might actually want to miss your flight. TRIBE Manchester Airport is proof that airport hotels can actually be stylish, comfortable, and exciting. Whether travelling for business, leisure, or facing an unfortunately-timed flight, this is one stopover you won't mind making.

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