This is our review of the Radisson Blu Manchester Airport, widely regarded as the best hotel at Manchester Airportthanks to its unbeatable location, direct connection to all three terminals via the covered Skylink walkway, and consistently comfortable rooms.

We’ve stayed here several times over the years, mainly for that location. On this occasion, we booked a Runway View Room for £179 during the summer holidays but, thanks to our Radisson Rewards VIP status, were upgraded to an Executive Junior Suite. While Executive Rooms feel modern and well-kept, we’ve found the standard rooms here to look dated and in need of refurbishment.

Location & Arrival

We arrived via Drop & Go parking, which is located a short distance from the terminals. While you can walk, it’s not the easiest route with luggage. A regular shuttle bus runs from Drop & Go to Terminal 2, where you can then access the hotel through the covered Skylink walkway.

For those arriving by train, the Radisson Blu is also an easy walk from Manchester Airport station, again via the Skylink with travelators for your bags. In both cases, you can reach the hotel without stepping outside.

Check-in was quick and straightforward. The front desk agent immediately recognised my Radisson Rewards status and offered the upgrade without prompting — a welcome change, as on previous stays I’ve had to remind staff before the benefit was applied. Don’t be afraid to ask if your status perks aren’t mentioned.

The Lobby & Public Areas

The lobby has a contemporary, businesslike feel — glass, chrome, and blue accents — with plenty of comfortable seating. Off to one side is the hotel bar, which was livelier than expected in the evening with a mix of travellers.

There’s also a small shop selling travel essentials such as medication, toiletries, umbrellas, and a selection of drinks and snacks. As is typical for airport hotels, prices are very high.

The Radisson Blu also offers:

Indoor swimming pool
Fully equipped gym
Sauna and steam room
The Collage Restaurant
24-hour room service

The Room – Executive Junior Suite with Runway View

First impressions? Size. This suite is vast — more like a serviced apartment than a typical UK hotel room. At over twice the size of most city rooms, it was easily bigger than our first London flat.

You enter into a bright, open-plan living area with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the runway. The generous seating space includes a sofa, armchairs, coffee table, and a large flat-screen TV. Off to one side is a guest toilet, while a spacious wardrobe holds an ironing board, safe, and luggage rack. A Nespresso machine, kettle, and mini-fridge with complimentary bottled water are neatly tucked into a cabinet.

The décor follows Radisson Blu’s modern-corporate style — neutral tones with blue accents — but here it felt fresh and well-maintained. Soft carpet, adjustable lighting, and clean lines made the room feel calm and upscale.

A separate bedroom contains an enormous king-size bed, vanity/desk, another TV, and additional storage. The bed was dressed in crisp white linens and paired with blackout curtains for a perfect pre-flight sleep.

The bathroom is equally oversized, with a walk-in shower, separate bathtub, and double vanity. Radisson’s standard toiletries, robes, and slippers were provided, and the space was spotless with excellent water pressure.

It’s the kind of room you could happily spend the whole day in — so big that we joked about needing an entourage to fill it.

The room came with:

Slippers and robes
Two bottles of water
Espresso machine
Kettle with a selection of teas and Border biscuits
Amenities (comb, toothbrush, etc.)
Trouser press
Iron and ironing board
Mini-bar (drinks not included)
Room service (additional cost)

The bed was exceptionally comfortable and soundproofing was excellent — despite being metres from the runway, we didn’t hear a single aircraft all night.

Executive Lounge

Our suite included access to the Executive Lounge, located on an upper floor with panoramic runway views. The space was pleasant but very busy during our visit, so we didn’t spend long there.

The lounge has a selection of soft drinks, teas, and a coffee machine. From 6pm–9pm, there’s a small spread of cheese, cold cuts, and small cakes. It’s not a meal — and less than what you’d find at some other airport hotels like the Sofitel. During these hours, alcoholic drinks are also available, including beer, red and white wine, and a few basic spirits.

The lounge isn’t the most generous we’ve experienced, so it’s best seen as a bonus rather than the main reason to upgrade. In the mornings, the lounge offers coffee, tea, pastries, and light breakfast bites — handy if you prefer a quieter start to your day.

Breakfast

We had breakfast in the Collage Restaurant. Full English breakfast is served from 6:00 am on weekdays and 5:30 am–11:00 am at weekends.

Breakfast is complimentary for VIP status guests. Normally priced at £18, the buffet offers hot dishes, continental options, pastries, fresh fruit, and cereals. Service was efficient, even during the early-morning rush, and tables turned over quickly.

This was actually our first time trying the breakfast here, as we’ve usually had very early departures. While we enjoyed it, we found the price steep for a breakfast unless it’s included in your rate or loyalty perks.

Alter

Is the Executive Room at Radisson Blu Manchester Airport Worth It?

If you enjoy the idea of using the lounge and want a pre-holiday treat, then yes — the Executive category can be worth it. The rooms themselves are far nicer than the standard rooms, which we’ve found to look dated on previous stays, and the extra space makes for a more comfortable start or end to your trip.

That said, we wouldn’t recommend booking an Executive Room solely for the lounge. While it has excellent runway views, the food and drink selection is basic, and during busy periods it can feel crowded. Think of the lounge as a pleasant extra rather than the main selling point.

What’s Included in an Executive Room at Radisson Blu Manchester Airport?

An Executive Room or Executive Junior Suite comes with:

Larger, upgraded accommodation
Floor-to-ceiling windows with runway views (in many rooms)
Executive Lounge access (evening snacks, drinks, and light breakfast)
Nespresso machine and upgraded tea facilities
Bathrobes, slippers, and premium toiletries
Complimentary bottled water, refreshed daily
Stocked Mini Bar (The drinks are not included)

Conclusion

At £179 during the summer holidays, our stay felt like solid value — particularly with the complimentary upgrade to an Executive Junior Suite and lounge access. Prices at this hotel can vary widely depending on demand, but for peak season, it was competitive compared to other Manchester Airport hotels.

For sheer convenience, the Radisson Blu Manchester Airport is hard to beat. In our view, it remains the best hotel at Manchester Airport. The Executive rooms — especially with a runway view — make for a comfortable and stress-free start to any trip.

Review: Radisson Blu Manchester Airport – Executive Junior Suite