Premier Inn's parent company Whitbread, in collaboration with Mix Manchester, has announced plans to establish the largest Premier Inn hotel in northern England at Manchester Airport.
The new 276-bedroom facility is set to increase Premier Inn's room capacity in the area by more than 50% and serve the UK's third busiest airport, which connects to more than 200 domestic and international destinations.
The upcoming hotel, which Premier Inn will operate on a leasehold basis, is designed to feature a range of the brand's latest style bedrooms, including the sought-after Premier Plus rooms. It will also introduce 'The Social' space on the ground floor, enhancing the brand's stylish offerings.
Whitbread's investment in Manchester aligns with its strategy to expand and adjust its hotel network in the city to better serve its customers. This year, the company has already secured a freehold development site for a new 229-bedroom Premier Inn and has sold its Deansgate Locks hotel for redevelopment.
Whitbread's refreshed network plan for Manchester is underpinned by its ambition to grow Premier Inn's UK presence to 125,000 bedrooms, a significant increase from the current 85,500 rooms.
Whitbread acquisition manager Jill Anderson stated, "We are serious about continuing to grow Premier Inn across the north of England and offer the flexibility, security, and development expertise to acquire large hotel sites as we have done at Manchester Airport.
"Securing what will become the largest Premier Inn in the north of England is a significant moment for Whitbread and one which we are proud to have delivered. With passenger numbers growing strongly at the airport, I’m sure it will be a popular choice for our customers when we open the doors and start welcoming our guests."
Currently, the Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Portland Street) holds the title of the largest Premier Inn in northern England with 233 guest bedrooms. Manchester Airport has been experiencing a surge in passenger traffic, with 29.6 million passengers recorded in the 12 months leading up to 12 August 2024, marking ten consecutive months of record-breaking numbers.
The new Premier Inn at Rochdale Road is expected to welcome guests starting in 2026.
Last month, Whitbread opened a new hotel at Paddington Station in London.
