Sky-high standards at Dakota Manchester Airport
By Richard Jones
For most travellers, their holiday begins when they arrive at the airport terminal. However, the people behind the lavish Dakota Manchester Airport believe it should start the day before.
Described as “the destination before the destination” and “Europe’s finest airport hotel”, the seventh entry in the Dakota portfolio is the Scotland-based hotel chain’s only airport property. The Dakota is also the first luxury hotel at Manchester Airport, and is conveniently located just minutes from all three of its terminals, offering effortless access for travellers. Their aim is to provide guests with best possible send-off, wherever they are bound.
ARRIVAL
There’s no doubting that Dakota Manchester Airport is eye-catching architecturally, and my wife Rachel and I were immediately impressed as we drove up Enterprise Way towards the hotel, ahead of a trip to the States the following day. The hotel portico was a hive of activity, with attendants in tailored grey suits and flat caps taking guests’ details and explaining the process before valet-parking their vehicles. As soon as you see the round-the-clock shuttle fleet of Dakota-branded Mercedes and BMW people carriers, you know your own car is in very safe hands.
HOTEL
Once we’d handed our car over for the next five days, we entered the foyer of the hotel. A cute stuffed toy dog greets guests on their arrival, while the walls of the reception area and corridors are adorned by retro aviation-themed pieces of art and trinkets.
However, the first thing that hit us was the smell of the place. Obviously, as it brand-new, it is all spotless, and there’s a lovely aroma generated by the giant infusers and the leathery and real wood furniture and decor.
ROOM
Rachel and I checked into a chic and comfortable Classic King room on the top floor, looking over the gardens and the airport terminal buildings. All 154 elegant bedrooms and suites have been designed to the template set by acclaimed interior designer Amanda Rosa, wife of Dakota and Malmaison hotelier Ken McCulloch, alongside her long-time collaborator Greg Brooks.
There was a HDTV with streaming apps and a Sky Sports package, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and a work desk, as well as tea and coffee, bottled water and more than ample luggage storage. The well-appointed and spacious en-suite bathroom was equally luxurious with a powerful rainfall shower and luxury Molton Brown toiletries perfect for freshening up before dinner and in the morning. And, most important of all, the king-size bed with crisp cotton linens was incredibly comfortable. Thanks to that and the blackout curtains, we both had a good night’s sleep before heading off on our travels.
DINING
On the Dakota website, they claim “simple things are done brilliantly”, and it’s hard to disagree. After a couple of pints and cocktails in the striking central bar (the Guinness glasses with Dakota on the reverse were a nice touch), we sat down for meal at The Grill, with our friendly server Jonathan explaining the menu and occasionally stopping by for a chat.
The meal started with Dakota’s speciality complimentary appetiser – the Venetian Dip – a molten bowl of rich tomato sauce with a slice of lightly grilled goat’s cheese and a crunchy warm roll on the side for dipping. The steaks are clearly the focus of The Grill’s menu, and after scallops mornay and carrot and sweet potato soup starters, I enjoyed a melt-in-the-mouth rib eye, while Rachel went for the miso salmon. The sides were equally impressive with tender stem broccoli with sesame and chilli, house chopped salad and French fries complimenting the mains perfectly.
The following morning, the à la carte breakfast was just as spectacular, with generous portions for those looking to fill up ahead of their flight.
I tucked into a full English with tea, while Rachel had granola and yoghurt. We each had a glass of fresh orange juice and shared a huge fruit bowl, with melon, pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, dragonfruit and passion fruit.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
We had booked our shuttle ride to the terminal beforehand, and after checking out of the hotel, the chauffeur was waiting to meet us out front and whizz us off in one of the Mercedes people carriers. At the terminal, he handed us a contact card in case of any changes. Thankfully, there were none, and the driver promptly pulled up in arrivals five days later to take us back to the hotel, where we picked up our car ahead of our onward journey.
IN A NUTSHELL
A result of millions of pounds of investment, Dakota Manchester Airport is unashamedly luxurious. As a standalone hotel, it’s as good as any you’ll find in the UK, and the fact that The Grill is full of regular diners, not just those using the airport, seven days a week, speaks volumes about its gourmet food and drink.Throw in the valet parking, chauffeur transfers and impeccable service, and a visit to Dakota Manchester Airport is the perfect way to begin any holiday.
Richard Jones August 2026
FACTBOX
The brand-new Dakota Manchester Airport is the first luxury hotel at the airport and offers Park, Stay & Fly packages, including valet parking, hotel stay and chauffeur-driven transport to the terminal for four days from £249. They also have the Eat, Sleep, Dakota package, which includes allocation towards dinner at The Grill and the à la carte breakfast.
Please visit dakotahotels.co.uk/manchester-airport/
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