Melissa Barker reviews the Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester

Manchester is one of my favourite cities in the world, so when I was asked to visit the Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester, I jumped at the chance. I asked my mum to join me, and having never visited the area before, she was giddy with excitement and couldn't wait to see the sights.

When we arrived, we were impressed by the hotel's grand exterior and gorgeous décor. The pleasant receptionist showed us the facilities, answered any questions we had and made sure we settled comfortably in to our room. The space went beyond our expectations, with two large beds, a smart TV, coffee machine, en suite bathroom and a grand window that overlooked the city.

To dine for
On the first evening, we were lucky enough to enjoy a delicious three-course dinner at the on-site restaurant, Steak & Lobster. Upon arrival, we were escorted to our softly lit booth, which created a relaxed and romantic atmosphere. We both opted for the lobster salad as a starter. This was a first for me, but I am pleased to say I loved it! We both had a sirloin steak for the main and a mason jar full of brownies and honeycomb for dessert – a must-try if you're visiting the hotel. The service was impeccable, and the staff went out of their way to ensure we were enjoying ourselves and had everything we needed.

Rest & Relaxation
The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast in the hotel's main restaurant. We both opted for a ham and cheese omelette and it was, beyond a doubt, the best I've ever eaten – I was even tempted to order a second!

We love swimming, so we changed into our costumes after breakfast and went straight to the 12-metre indoor pool. We were pleased to find that, despite the large amount of guests visiting the hotel, it was lovely and quiet. We were able to get full use of the pool, sauna and Jacuzzi – pure bliss!

Afternoon delights
Later that afternoon, we were treated to afternoon tea in the hotel's restaurant, having never tried it before we were really excited. We were shown to our table by the lovely waiter who explained the different teas, cakes, sandwiches and scones available – it was delicious. Both of us opted for the English breakfast tea, it was the best I've ever had – so much so I bought some when I returned home! We were spoilt for choice by the grand selection of food available, from the strawberry cakes to the scones smothered in Tiptree jam, it was an experience that I'd love to try again.

We spent the next few hours in the gym; with all the latest equipment, it had enough to keep us occupied for hours, and the exercise was definitely needed after the mountains of cake we ate!

After the best night's sleep I'd had in a long time, we enjoyed breakfast again, this time choosing French toast smothered in maple syrup – yum – before grabbing our bags and checking out.

I was sad to be leaving after such a luxurious weekend away. Having fallen in love with the city lifestyle and luxurious amenities, it's safe to say we're planning on visiting again very soon!

To find out more, visit www.radissonblu-edwardian.com