An elegant, urban spa escape: Our team review of Rena Spa at The Midland, Manchester

Stylish and sociable

I loved this experience. I knew it was going to be lovely, but Rena Spa at The Midland is so much more than meets the eye. First of all, its location is spectacular; it’s right in the centre of Manchester, close to the station, so it’s within walking distance from everything. Outside the hotel sits a gleaming Rolls-Royce - a nod to the hotel’s history as the location where the very first deal between Rolls and Royce was signed. When you step inside, you are greeted by a massive, grand reception with a huge 360-degree bar in the middle that you can walk all the way around. The space is decorated with lots of trees, so it immediately feels luxurious, highly social, and vibrant, with plenty of people around without feeling too busy.

Beautiful rooms and suites

When we checked into our rooms we were upgraded, and each one was enormous as well as beautifully presented. There were welcome chocolates waiting for us, as well as products from Germaine de Capuccini (which I’ve been using non-stop ever since), and the bathrooms were stocked with Elemis products and cosy robes ready for us to use. They were much more than places to rest in the evening - they’re spaces you definitely want to spend time in while you’re here.

An urban sanctuary

We then headed down to the spa to use the thermal suite and prepare for our treatments. The spa is not huge but it’s beautiful, and they limit how many guests use the pool area at any given time, so it never feels crowded. The award-winning space is dimly lit, making it the perfect environment to completely switch off and relax. Before my treatment, I spent time enjoying the pool and the Jacuzzi, as well as in the unique hanging pods in the relaxation room.

For my treatment, I had a 25-minute neck, back, and shoulder massage. The treatment rooms were elegant, clean, and well set up, while my therapist was lovely. She seemed really experienced, and made me feel completely comfortable from the start. Afterwards, I was led back to the relaxation space, where I was able to sip peppermint tea and enjoy the moment. I also spent some time in the sauna and rinsed off in the experience showers.

An elegant evening

After leaving the spa, we went back up to the room to prepare for dinner. I intentionally wanted to save some time just to hang out in the room because it was so nice. When we went down to the restaurant, we started with a glass of Champagne in the bar, and then headed into Mount Street Dining Room & Bar. The restaurant itself is beautiful, featuring arched windows that make the space feel really atmospheric, with lots of artwork on the walls. The whole dinner felt really special; the restaurant was open and airy, it wasn't too busy, and the staff really looked after us. There were pâté and arancini balls, and then I had a wonderful steak and chips, all paired with excellent wines. After dinner, we went to sit together in the bar for a while before finally heading up for the night - it was lovely to be able to choose from different spaces without leaving the hotel.

Morning in Manchester

The next morning, breakfast was served in the same Mount Street restaurant, and it was honestly one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had. They put on an incredible buffet but also have a mini menu for cooked items if you want it. We also took advantage of the location by meeting up with some friends for coffee and a walk around Manchester, strolling along the canals on what turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. It really highlighted how convenient the hotel is for both having a lovely time using their facilities but also exploring the city. I will definitely be going back.