Hotel 346 — Hotel in Manchester

I booked to stay at Oyo Hotel 346 Manchester (M14 6AB) from 22/11/24 to 25/11/24 travelling from London (4 hour trip). Before booking, I called customer services to ask if a late check in was possible (I had to check in at 12:00am, their check in times are 14:00 - 21:00) to which they said yes as long as I called on the day of arrival to organise this.

I was given a number and called this approximately 40 times on the day with no answer. I continued calling customer services (approx 14 times in total) to find a resolution, each customer service assistant said the same thing offering no support and that it was not for their department to sort. They said that I should turn up at the hotel at 12:00am and hope that someone's there to check me in.

I had no other option. Once I'd got off the coach, I booked an Uber to take me to the hotel. As I arrived, I realised that the doors were locked, I could not gain entry, and no one was there waiting for me to check in. I was stranded and extremely worried as I did not have a room to stay in for the night and it was extremely late. I had to find another hotel immediately, and after calling 5 hotels with no success, I finally managed to find a small room at ibis budget hotel (Manchester, Salford M5 3AW).

The following morning, I tried to call Oyo Hotels customer services again to understand what had happened and why they could not arrange my check in as initially agreed. They offered no real apology, and refused to discuss any form of compensation which was extremely disappointing. I would advise taking caution if booking a room with Oyo Hotels, they will not be on hand to help should any...

My experience would suggest that a lot of these reviews are a little unfair. This hotel is easily half the price of nearby alternatives, and you have to expect that you get what you pay for. It is quite dated and dark, but I found it to be clean enough and perfectly comfortable. Some reviewers say you're locked out if you get back past 12, but haven't mentioned that they do give you a mobile number to call to be let in. It felt perfectly secure. Door locked late at night (as mentioned above). Pin code access to get past the reception area. Bars on the windows (which has been mentioned as a bad thing in other reviews- which is silly). Our ground floor room got a little too hot in the night so we opened the ginormous window fully, remaining perfectly safe, thanks to the bars.

I can see why anxious travellers might feel unnerved by the place (like I said, it's a bit dated and dark) but I don't think there are any genuine grounds to feel at risk.

The location was fantastic. Tonnes of unrestricted street parking around the area, and it's only a short bus ride into the city. We were there to see a concert at Manchester Academy, which was just a 10 minute bus ride.

I'd...

I booked this last minute for £40 to go to watch Manchester United at Old Trafford and as a result of the local price surging (£100 -150+per night) that happens for United matches by Premier Inn and Travelodge in Manchester and surrounding area hotels. Firstly, the Hotel 346 is in is great, a vibrant student area with many, shops, pubs and retaurants. Buses take you to the city centre easily. In fairness staff were friendly and helpful. Sadly, though, the hotel is more of a hostel than the warmth and comforts you expect of a hotel. Tired and worn, with a very down at heel look. I used the room simply to sleep in and left as soon as I got up. Yes, there was a tv, tea and coffee, internet, the bedsheets and towels seemed clean, but the furnshing, fittings and decoration were in a bad state of deterioration. I didn't feel unsafe, but it isn't a family friendly place, nor for the sole traveller who perhaps feels vulnerable. I wouldn't stay there again, there are better options, say for a private bed and breakfast locally, or better standard but not chain hotels, if you pay a...