I love Manchester! It’s a great city, always buzzing with events and shows, there’s something happening all the time. There’s also some stunning hotels (and I’ve stayed at most of them over the years!) but the Kimpton Clocktower is a firm favourite and this was my third stay at the property.

I had originally booked this stay via Amex Hotel Collection which I’ve covered in previous posts, but essentially these special offers include free benefits such as;

• Free room upgrades (subject to availability)
• $100 credit to spend in the hotel (about £75)
• Free breakfast 

Our stay with Amex was coming in at £680.00 for 3 nights in a standard room including the above, which we were happy with as it was a very busy weekend in Manchester due to Manchester Pride.

However, the hotel had a sale for book 2 nights, get a 3rd night free which was only available on the IHG Destined rate (used to be called Luxury & Lifestyle), available through certain luxury travel agents, so I cancelled the Amex booking and rebooked with LiveLuxe Travel. 

The rate with LiveLuxe included the same benefits – £75 dining credit, free breakfast (worth £60) and free upgrade plus the 3rd night was free. This was shaping up to be an excellent value stay!

We stayed at the Clocktower for Manchester Pride last year, but didn’t get the room upgrade as the hotel was so busy, so I wasn’t holding out much hope this time. But, about a week before arrival, the room type changed from a Standard Double to a Premium King. The price difference between the two room types was £130 at the time of booking, so I’m happy to chalk that up as a £130 saving. 

Overall, the nett cost of our 3 night stay at the Kimpton Clocktower was;

Premium Room – £860.60

3rd night free saving – £214

Free upgrade saving – £130

Out of pocket – £516.60

10% cash back offer on credit card saving – £51.60 

Free dining credit saving – £75

Free breakfast saving – £60

Nett cost – £330.00

I don’t think that’s a bad deal! 

Date of trip; August 2025

Price paid; £465 (nett cost of £330) for 3 nights for 2 people including free breakfast, £75 dining credit, free upgrade to the Premium room and 10% cash back from my MBNA credit card. 

Points earned; None on this trip as the cash back was on my normal MBNA credit card.