A Treehouse Hotel Takes Root in Manchester
Photo courtesy of Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
Treehouse Hotel Manchester
Manchester, England
Playful Urban Hideaway, $
Manchester is not exactly known for its tree canopy, which makes a place named Treehouse Hotel Manchester a little curious. The Treehouse brand, the budget-friendly little sister of 1 Hotels, takes an unconventional (but similarly ecological) approach to hospitality design, mixing found and repurposed objects, handmade details, greenery, and plenty of personality to create hotels that feel homey and playful. In Manchester, it is a quirky, cozy, yet grown-up city hotel overlooking the rooftops.
The look is very layered, collected, and purposely imperfect. Exposed concrete, timber, and plants are everywhere, with woven pendant lights, colorful rugs, patchwork quilts, patterned upholstery, and furniture that looks like it's been procured from a few good flea markets. In the guest rooms, a very colorful patchwork quilt might share space with a deep soaking tub and a wall-sized city view. The effect is cute without feeling precious, more bohemian clubhouse than conventional design hotel.
But the decor isn't the whole point. Treehouse has packed an impressive amount into its city-center home, including ambitious restaurants, rooftop drinking, wellness, padel, even a private cinema — making it a super fun home base in the city.
At a Glance
The Vibe: A colorful stay with creative charm.
Standout Detail: The collision of cozy interiors and big-city views. The higher you go, the more Manchester becomes part of the décor, particularly from the rooftop restaurant and bar.
This Place Is Great For: Design-minded city breakers, food-focused travelers, families who appreciate a hotel with a sense of humor, and anyone who would rather stay somewhere memorable than somewhere beige.
Feel-Good Factor: Guest floors have filtered-water stations and the hotel uses real-time energy and water management systems. Recycling and composting infrastructure includes a system for processing kitchen food waste. There's also a living wall designed as a pollinator pathway and an urban wildlife initiative using colorful upcycled birdhouses around the city.
Rooms: There are 224 guest rooms, including nine suites. Interiors lean into the Treehouse aesthetic with cozy fabrics and colorful prints, while practical amenities include blackout shades, rain showers, custom bath products, smart TVs, and room service. It comes as no surprise that the hotel welcomes pets. (This is a fun place!)
On Site: The Playground is the hotel's colorful Technogym-equipped fitness space, with classes and personal training. The Good Sauna pairs a wood-fired schvitz with cold-water plunge; next door, The Pollen Club has two covered padel courts (an important detail in famously rainy Manchester). Flix is a 43-seat private screening room for movies and events.
Food + Drink: Pip is the all-day neighborhood restaurant focusing on seasonal British cooking, locally sourced ingredients, and a low-waste approach; it has been included in the Michelin Guide. On the roof, chef Sam Grainger's Sister Moon centers on Southeast Asian flavors and dishes made for sharing. The Nest pairs cocktails and music with skyline views. Pip's Patio is an outdoor spot for drinks and a smaller seasonal menu.
What to Do Nearby
The hotel sits on Blackfriars Street in central Manchester, putting much of the city within easy reach. The Royal Exchange Theatre and AO Arena are nearby, and the hotel's own “Fun Finders” steer guests toward places to eat, drink, shop, and explore around town.