The Kimpton Clocktower is one of Manchester’s most striking hotel buildings. It occupies the Refuge Assurance Building, a Grade II* listed landmark designed by the architect Alfred Waterhouse, whose other work includes the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall. The building went up in the 1890s as the headquarters of the Refuge Assurance Company, and its terracotta and brick exterior, grand halls and soaring clock tower make it unmistakable on the city skyline. After years as a hotel under other names, it now trades as a Kimpton, the boutique brand within the IHG group that is known for individual design, friendly service and sociable public spaces. Inside, the historic details, from tiled corridors to carved stonework and stained glass, are combined with modern bedrooms and a lively bar and restaurant. The location is on Oxford Street, where the city centre meets the university district, which means you are close to Oxford Road station, Whitworth Street and the Gay Village, while the cathedral and Northern Quarter are a little further away.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on Oxford Street, about a five-minute walk from Oxford Road station and St Peter’s Square tram stop. Piccadilly station is around fifteen minutes on foot, and the Bridgewater Hall and Manchester Central are roughly ten minutes away. The Whitworth and Manchester Museum are reached by frequent buses along Oxford Road, and Canal Street is around ten minutes by foot. The airport is about twenty-five minutes away by train from Oxford Road or Piccadilly.
Rooms
Rooms vary in size and shape because of the historic structure, from compact doubles to large suites with high ceilings. Design is modern and comfortable, with good beds and bathrooms, and the highest floors have city views. A quiet room away from Oxford Street is worth requesting. Some rooms are accessible, and families may find that connecting or larger rooms are available on request.
Who it suits
Design-conscious couples, friends on a weekend in the city, music and theatre fans heading to the Palace Theatre or the Bridgewater Hall, and anyone who likes a hotel with character. It is less suited to travellers who want a quiet, residential atmosphere, because the building is at the heart of a lively part of the centre.
Good to know
Check the details of breakfast and parking when you book, as policies and prices vary by rate. The lobby bar is busy in the evenings and at weekends, so book a table if you want to eat in the restaurant. Because the hotel is popular with visitors to Manchester’s big events, early booking is wise for football weekends and concert dates, and for the weeks before Christmas.
Why stay here
- ✓Grade II* listed Waterhouse building
- ✓Landmark clock tower
- ✓Hotel bar and restaurant
- ✓Near Oxford Road station
- ✓Walk to Gay Village
- ✓Accessible rooms available
- ✓Boutique design and public spaces
- ✓Bus link to Whitworth and Manchester Museum
Good questions
What is the Kimpton Clocktower building?+
It is the Refuge Assurance Building, a Grade II* listed Victorian landmark designed by Alfred Waterhouse in the 1890s.
How close is the hotel to Oxford Road station?+
It is about a five-minute walk, and Piccadilly station is around fifteen minutes on foot.
Is it close to the museums on Oxford Road?+
Yes, buses along Oxford Road reach the Whitworth and Manchester Museum in around ten minutes.