Last Updated on February 20, 2026
A treetop getaway in central Manchester
Walking into the lobby of Treehouse Manchester, I imagined I had entered a magical forest. The walls of the hotel were clad in thin tree trunks. The check-in desk was located in a wooden cabin. Plants hung from the ceiling, and greenery and potted plants covered every surface. One pillar was entirely covered in painted, wooden birdhouses. Sofas were covered in colourful fabrics, bookcases filled with books and vintage vinyl. A wooden table was carved into the shape of a giant clothes peg. I realised at once that my weekend at Treehouse Manchester was going to be a lot of fun.

After the friendliest check-in, we waited for the lift in a tree-panelled area. On each floor there was a chunky wooden bench with a woollen throw, and peg boards filled with small tiles on which messages were written in children’s handwriting.

Our studio suite was designed to look like a treehouse, with rough wooden panelling, forest-green painted walls, a wooden daybed, and decorative items including an old-fashioned leather football, a camping lamp, and a card game -what you might have had in your childhood treehouse if you were fortunate to have one. The bedroom area was romantic and whimsical, with a gorgeous bed cover appliqued with hexagons of gingham and floral fabrics. It was colourful and crafty. The bedside tables were cut from tree trunks. The headboard had a forest design, and the mix of display cushions included one shaped like a tree. On one wall hung a bright red birdhouse.

A room divider separated the bedroom from the sitting room and had a large screen TV on one side and a blackboard on the other. A large daybed was constructed from wood and topped with mismatched cushions and fabrics. The wooden floor was covered with rugs. A kitchen area had a wooden island with a retro kettle and telephone. All mod cons were packed away in a built-in cupboard which provided hanging space for clothing. It had lovely coloured glass-panelled doors. In the cupboard there was a coffee machine, coffee pods, tea bags and fresh milk. Retro enamel mugs took me back to my youth.

The bathroom looked glam with forest green tiles interspersed with bronze to match the taps over the round, stone basin and in the rain shower.
The in-house restaurant at Treehouse Manchester, Pip, under chef Mary-Ellen McTague, has been included in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. Pip’s philosophy is one of sustainability and seasonal, low-waste cooking with ingredients sourced from local butchers and producers. It is a large space with plants hanging from the ceiling. A stunning wall of wooden shelves is decorated with an eclectic mix of hundreds of glass bottles. Wooden tables are surrounded by banquets and mismatched wooden chairs. Sofas, rugs, soft lighting and gorgeous artefacts all make Pip a welcoming space to enjoy an evening. In addition, a live DJ provided a funky playlist that was pleasant to listen to as the music was both interesting and kept to a suitable decibel level to allow conversation.

The staff were not only friendly and helpful, but also engaged in conversation about what our plans were for visiting Manchester and followed up with questions the following day.
From the snack menu, we sampled Old Winchester cheese gougeres, split pea chips (too salty for my taste) with mushroom ketchup and, my favourite, toasted yeast puffs, round crunchy balls with a coconut yoghurt dip.

From the small plate menu, we enjoyed a celeriac soup with toasted chestnuts. This creamy soup had a delicious celeriac flavour, and the chestnuts added toasted flavour and a crispy texture. Scottish mussels with cider, burnt butter, garlic and parsley brought a bowl of plump, well-sized mussels with a tasty broth.
From the main course section, the highlight was Lancashire hotpot with pickled beetroot, oyster ketchup and seasonal greens. Here, Tague’s creativity shone through with a traditional regional dish given a contemporary makeover. A small dish was covered with a layer of thinly sliced, crispy potatoes, below which was the most tender lamb, beautifully seasoned. Alongside was an oyster shell with a small amount of oyster ketchup, and another dish of perfectly pickled beetroot slices that cut through the richness of the hotpot.

The braised ox cheek suet pudding was served on a celeriac puree along with seasonal greens. It remains one of my favourite meat dishes – I first ate Heston Blumenthal’s version (McTague worked with him in the early Noughties) during a birthday lunch at The Hinds Head in Bray – and I would happily return to Pip to enjoy this again.

For dessert, we enjoyed the caramelised apple and Calvados trifle with candied almonds, which had a boozy kick and a lovely crunch. An excellent treacle tart was the highlight of the meal – creatively served with Earl Grey Cream, buttermilk, sorbet and candied Bergamot – every component was top quality and not a crumb was left on the plate.

At breakfast, guests can choose from a Continental buffet, which includes viennoiserie, breads, boiled eggs, charcuterie, overnight oats, cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and fruit juice. There is also an à la carte breakfast menu with a variety of egg dishes and pancakes. We had avocado toast and poached eggs on broad bean guacamole.
Treehouse Manchester is located at the edge of Deansgate in the city centre, and within a few minutes’ walk, we were surrounded by shops, restaurants and bars. We went on a walking tour around the city centre, visiting St Peter’s Square – the site of the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 – and joined an excellent guided tour of the Chetham’s Library, which I thoroughly recommend. We walked through many of the local neighbourhoods, including the buzzing Northern Quarter, where vintage clothes shops abound and Ancoats, where disused cotton mills have been repurposed as flats. All of these interesting areas are easily accessible on foot from Treehouse Manchester hotel. We hopped on a nearby tram to visit Salford Quays, which has been revitalised by the construction of Media City (both the BBC and ITV have offices there) and two museums I recommend – the Imperial War Museum and the Lowry, which showcases the work of local artist L.S. Lowry.

Treehouse Manchester is a romantic, whimsical place with a dedicated commitment to sustainability. It has a thoroughly wholesome feel. A small shop in the lobby sells honey from hives on the roof. It is a far cry from the soulless business hotels that are a familiar sight in city centres. Although it is a large hotel with 224 rooms, it feels personal, welcoming, and charming. Treehouse Manchester has a large and well-equipped gym, a screening room with a weekly programme of movies, and a floor dedicated to meeting rooms. It is well located for visiting Manchester’s sights, and public transport is nearby. At the end of each day’s touring, we returned happily to our nest above the city.
Treehouse Manchester,
Blackfriars Street,
Manchester,
M3 2EQ
Check our review of Treehouse London

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