Lucy Daltroff visits the Treehouse Hotel Manchester, a new property that blends woodland whimsy with Mancunian grit.
Stepping into the Treehouse Hotel Manchester feels like finding a hidden clearing in the middle of a busy city. Set just off Blackfriars Street, a short walk from Deansgate’s shops, the Treehouse positions itself not as a traditional luxury hotel, but as something more playful. It opened on 19 March 2025 and is proving extremely popular.
Design: An Urban Arboretum
The lobby sets the tone: not a space designed for brisk check-ins, but one that invites remaining. Reclaimed wood, trailing greenery and mismatched furniture gives it the feel of an artist’s living room rather than a reception area. Guests and locals mingle easily, lending the hotel a distinctly communal atmosphere.
The 224 guest rooms echo this approach with a reassuring sense of eccentricity. Forest-inspired details, tactile materials and clever storage solutions make even the more compact rooms feel calming rather than cramped. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Manchester skyline, beds are plush and extremely comfortable, showers powerful, and small illustrated touches lend character – without clutter.
Dining: Rooted And Reassuring
If Treehouse has a beating heart, it’s Pip, the ground-floor restaurant led by Mancunian chef Mary-Ellen McTague, known for her commitment to low-waste cooking, and local produce with food that feels grounded and inventive. Menus shift with the seasons and suppliers, resulting in dishes that are good without being predictable.
The dill cured chalk stream trout starter was delicious while my main of roasted turbot, came with a shellfish bisque, seasonal greens, kohlrabi & radish, artfully presented to look like a full English Breakfast. My son’s mains steak had the texture and taste of a Parisian brasserie, perfectly tender, and full of flavour – highlighted by the beef dripping sauce. Drinks follow suit, with a strong showing of low-intervention wines, local beers and cocktails that favour balance over theatrics.
Breakfast is a particular highlight: homemade crumpets, delicious plump croissants, eggs cooked with care, and honey sourced from the hotel’s own rooftop hives.
There is more to come. Sister Moon, opening on the 14th floor in early 2026 , promises Southeast Asian–inspired cooking alongside panoramic views, while rooftop spaces The Nest and The Hideout are poised to become lively social hubs, once fully operational.
Amenities: Play With Purpose
Flix, the hotel’s private screening room, hosts film nights that feel closer to a members’ club than a hotel add-on, while The Playground gym offers state-of-the-art equipment alongside yoga and group classes. I also found the service really good as tested when I temporarily lost my mobile! Darren at reception was sympathetic and helpful while I desperately tried to locate it.
What truly sets Treehouse Hotel Manchester apart, however, is its sense of community. Artist residencies, workshops and partnerships with local charities ground the hotel firmly in Manchester life, ensuring it feels woven into the city rather than perched above it. Even the small lobby shop champions local makers, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to supporting its surroundings.
Location: In The Thick Of It
Situated between Deansgate and the River Irwell, Treehouse is perfectly placed for exploring the city on foot. Cultural institutions, theatres, music venues and independent shops are all close by, while tram and rail links make wider exploration straightforward. It’s a location that suits weekend wanderers and business travellers alike — particularly those seeking something less conventional.
Final Word
Treehouse Hotel Manchester offers a warm, creative and distinctly Mancunian take on modern hospitality. For travellers looking to stay somewhere that feels culturally connected, Treehouse delivers.
Tell me more about the Treehouse Hotel Manchester.
Treehouse Hotel Manchester, Blackfriars St, M3 2EQ
T: +44 800 917 6270
Standard rooms starting from around £125 per night, though rates can rise depending on season, room type and whether breakfast or flexible cancellation is included.
