Hotel Football, Old Trafford, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel — Hotel in Trafford

Recently stayed with our two boys who are football mad. The positives: room was comfortable, clean, little fridge with some treats was a nice touch. Great view of Old Trafford and a short walk to the tram stop and across the bridge to Salford Quays where there are a few shops and restaurants. However, there were a few negatives too: how the hotel and package was sold was not reflective of our experience. There was often a queue of people at check-in and extra staff would have been helpful. "Dedicated kids check-in" as marketed did not transpire, and I still don't understand what that was supposed to mean, but to use it specifically on marketing material for a kids break was somewhat misleading when there was nothing special about it at all! The main draw for the kids was the advertised rooftop pitch as well as the "Games Zone", but this just consisted of an xbox inside a locked meeting room which we found it hard to access and then could not get the xbox to work even with help from staff. The teqball table was just plonked in the middle of a corporate dining space on a separate floor, with no ball to use and no guidance on it. Nothing enticing about that either of them at all and we got not use out of them during our stay. The rooftop pitch was by far the kids' favourite thing but when we arrived it was unavailable due to an all day event, but we were not informed about this. There was one ball provided to use but it was flat - thankfully we took our own. It was also absolutely boiling up there. The promotional material and frequent social media posts ahead of the Easter holidays kept mentioning extra "surprises" and "activities" but there was absolutely nothing additional going on - when asked, the receptionist told me this was for Easter weekend itself only (and from what I gather, consisted of an Easter egg and some printed activity sheets) but this was certainly not how it was marketed, it was marketed as part of any break booked over the full Easter holidays - again, misleading and disappointing. Food: Breakfast was ok, but the eggs were a very odd colour, never seen such pale yellow yolks before, and completely tasteless - even the kids commented. The dinner and afternoon tea were nice though. We were told we got 20% extra off food and drink during our stay but we didn't, although admittedly we didn't spend a lot on top. The staff were perfectly nice and some nice touches to the hotel decor but the hotel feels like it is missing a trick, and more could be made - particularly to engage the kids. Aside from the rooftop pitch which takes care of itself, we didn't find it an especially child-friendly experience. In the end, we left 24 hours early - for various reasons, and although the novelty of the hotel meant the kids had a different experience, it was a little disappointing against what was advertised and not quite the treat we...

You have only one chance to make the first impression!

I'm normally used to enter in many many hotels every year, and while checking-in I observe few important points of the building and the staff which will have the difficult task to have me as a customer, leaving behind a good memory as supplier, to one loyal Marriott customer like me. Well, this is one of the few reviews I feel good to post before instead, as it normally happens, at the end of the permanence in hotel. The hotel is nice, even if the entrance doesn't give any justice to what you find inside: it's by far to little and it looks like the reception of a budget hotel of a low category, but the "Sun is inside".... In fact, once entered by the anonymous sliding door, I have been welcomed by the incredible smiles and positivity of Rachel and Hermela, the two receptionists which have checked me in. Sympathy, charm and at the same time positive energy filled up this small space, transforming a normal routine in a waterfall of information, smiles, exchange on where and what are we coming from and so on... On top, as soon as I said one of my son will have birthday this week, one of the two receptionists disappeared few minutes to come back with a fantastic and higly appreciated gift for both my children.... amazing response and anticipating customers' wishes... What a great way to start in a brand new city (first time for me), especially after a long queue at the airport passport control and a rainy trip with a grey Uber car. You find not only the two of them, but also a welcome gift like voucher for a free drink at the restaurant, on the desk of a very clean room, despite the carpet, which looks definitely old fashion; the rooms are not big, and similar to airport hotels, nevertheless the amenities are curious and recalling football t-shirts, or balls, like the chocolates left on the desk to welcome you. The complementary minibar is furnished with 2 bottles of water, some "chupa chup's" and small snacks which can help you (me) to prepare the working day of the morning after. From my room you can see the entrance of the stadium and from the top floor, where a singular mini football fields has been built for the guests' free time, you may have a great view not only at the stadium, but also at the city skyline. The restaurant is affordable in prices and the tried food quality is good, worth the price. So far so good, and I expect nothing better than this three days will pass pampered very well from a staff that showed up with an incredible fantastic first impression: thanks a lot...

Our hotel room was full of inadequate or broken items - drawer kept falling out the draw base (dangerous for a child), 3 plug sockets in the room didn’t work. Movies on the tv didn’t work. Towel rail didn’t work so no heating in bathroom, in December meant cold damp room and towels. Cold room, heating never went above 21c which in that type of room with large windows was cold. Not where to put suitcases in the room, so had to live out of them on the floor all weekend. Only a rainforest shower which isn’t great for kids or people with long hair, even though advertised as two showers. Room for 4 people but only 2 cups provides and 3 teabags!? 2 glasses. Mini bar filled with sweets, would rather something a little more mixed than all cheep penny sweets. No shower gel provided, which was a bit odd in a hotel room - I asked and was given some but should really have been standard - would have rather that than the lotion which was supplied. Our toilet rolls never got replaced so we ran out… just in general the room was poor. To top it all off brothers room who was staying with us wasn’t even changed from the last guest and was given a pass to a dirty used room. Oh and out keys stoped working half way through the weekend so we had to go back and get them reactivated….! Covid was dealt with badly - cleaners and staff all squashing in a tiny lift with us a family of 6 several times over our stay. Masks not worn by staff. Also given incorrect info by staff. Our biggest disappointment was the food, very slow, very poor quality and badly designed location for breakfast. Most of all, they couldn’t cater for my sons peanut and nut allergy, was told he should eat stuff from boxes which has the ingredients on, but as a back up he has an Epipen to use should he need it! Completely inadequate and breaking the law to not have allergens listed and available. Overall massively disappointed with the once in a lifetime visit for 40th birthday gift. I would not return. I’m not even a fussy person but it was poor. Hard to believe any of the football owners would ever take their families there for a weekend!!!! Overall worst hotel ever stayed at - but your paying for the view of old Trafford, which...