Manchester Recession Watch: Luxury hotels slash rates.

Crains posted an excellent article today, on how a 'price war' between Manchester hotels has led to savings of up to £500 per stay.

The business newspaper got a 'mystery shopper' to speak to eleven hotels, including the Lowry and the Radisson, with the aim of finding the best room rate.

Cheaper rooms weren't the only thing on offer, as the hotels fell overthemselves to offer free upgrades, free breakfast and even - in the case of the Malmaison - free evening meals.

The worst hotel - at least for offering discounts - was the new MacDonald hotel in Piccadilly. All they could do was offer a £10 breakfast, and still insisted that the Crains writer lodge a NON-REFUNDABLE £50 deposit with them (what kind of people are they attracting, that they need this kind of deposit?)

The best? The Lowry offered a saving of almost £500 over a two night stay, beating even their best 'web rate'. The Radisson (Peter Street) promised a saving of £135 per night for a deluxe room, but the final rate of £135 per night was the same as the hotels 'web rate'

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