Hybrids are dynamic, multifunctional spaces where people can stay, work, eat and drink, and socialise all under one roof. In the past few years, we have seen a growing number of hospitality brands pivoting to the hybrid model in order to maximise revenue and cater to changing guest needs.
In this series, we’re travelling around the world to highlight the brands that are leading the way in this exciting space. Next up in the spotlight, it’s one of the UK’s hottest (ahem, although perhaps not when it comes to the weather) cities turn to take the spotlight…
Here are 5 of the best hybrid hospitality brands in Manchester…
1. LEVEN
Opening its doors in late 2021 in the heart of Manchester, Leven is a design-led lifestyle hotel created for guests to stay, rest, work and socialise for as little or long as they wish.
Born through a partnership between Wellbrook Hospitality and Branco Capital, the hotel has freedom at its heart, with both the modern traveller and local crowd welcome to use the space to suit their needs.
Whether it’s checking emails and cracking through a to-do list with a cappuccino in the work-friendly communal space by day or kicking back and enjoying the local resident DJ with mates by night, the hotel has been consciously designed to make guests feel instantly at home and part of a community.
For those wanting to tap into the Leven community but can’t make a trip to Manchester any time soon, the future-facing brand can be found in the metaverse – in an architect-designed building in the Fashion District in Decentraland to be specific.
Speaking of the future, the brand has not yet announced expansion plans but it’s clear their first hotel is making its mark. In December 2022 – and just a year after opening – Leven was named in a list of Britain’s “100 Best Places to Stay” in 2023 published by The Sunday Times (and were the only hotel in the city to be featured).
2. The Alan Hotel
Born from a vision of wanting to do things differently, The Alan Hotel is a unique, designed-focussed hybrid hotel which encourages guests to stay, work, eat, drink and connect.
Opening in February 2022, this revamped warehouse offers everything both guests and locals could need – whether they are utilising the space to work or socialise from for the day or staying the night.
The communal spaces have been designed to facilitate creative programming and social events, with a large upper-ground floor housing a bar, restaurant and relaxed seating areas. There is also a pop-up events space – Situ – housed in the lower ground floor. With everything the hotel has to offer, it has quickly become a popular location for both travellers exploring the city and locals looking for a smart hangout.
Whether people are in need of a fresh environment for focussed work or simply fancy a change from working at home, The Alan offers coworking facilities from Monday to Friday, with a day pass including lunch and unlimited hot drinks.
The hybrid is owned by Aspen Hotels Limited who overhauled the venue as part of a £1.5 million development. Further expansion plans are yet to be announced.
3. Whitworth Locke
Design-focused brand Locke Hotels ‘blends the traditional aparthotel format with the design, F&B and programming of a boutique lifestyle hotel’.
Created for those who have a penchant for luxury but are still budget-conscious, apartments combine the comfort of home with modern interiors, with each room offering a fully-fitted kitchen and slick living space.
The group opened Whitworth Locke in October 2018 and similarly to their other properties across Europe, the communal space goes far beyond a typical hotel lobby with a stunning conservatory bar, high quality restaurant, cafe and coworking lounge.
The site also boasts a locally-inspired cultural programme of events, pop-ups and fitness classes as well as a team of in-the-know ‘House Hosts’ who are on hand to share their top tips for exploring the local area.
Owned by the Edyn group, the pioneering hospitality group currently has 8 UK properties in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cambridge (with 13 in total across Europe). They have also announced plans to open sites in cities including Zurich, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Paris over the next few years.
4. Selina Manchester
Born in Panama back in 2014, Selina is a trailblazer of the hybrid hospitality industry. Now with over 163 properties in 25 countries around the world, Selina provides millennial and Gen Z travellers with innovative and exciting bases to explore the world from while working on the move.
From buzzing global cities to remote jungle locations, their sites are created to cater to today’s nomadic travellers who are always on the move. They are a true hybrid brand – combining beautifully designed accommodation with coworking spaces, wellness experiences and local adventures.
Selina opened its UK debut property in Manchester in August 2019 and has become a buzzing hub for both locals and travellers to stay, work and play, Selina’s properties are known as the ideal spaces to catch up on work, meet like-minded people over drinks, switch off with one of their onsite activities – or all three.
The experiential hospitality brand has expanded quickly over the past few years and they are expecting to open 10-15 properties in 2023 alone. The brand also went public via a merger with blank-check firm BOA Acquisition Corp in October 2022.
5. Native Places
Native Places is a lifestyle aparthotels brand which provides guests with the fun and freedom of a local apartment as well as the comfort and convenience of a boutique hotel.
Dedicated to connecting guests with the local communities they are situated in through original experiences and clever usage of communal space, Native creates vibrant hubs that are truly immersed in the neighbourhoods they are located in.
Their 166-bed Manchester site opened in September 2019 and offers both guests and locals the ultimate spot to stay, work, work out, eat and play. Each apartment has been designed as a home away from home for guests, with a living room space, fully-equipped kitchen and place to work. Their ground floor social hub features an 80-seater restaurant, cafe, cinema, florist, fitness studio as well as flexible events and work spaces, creating a unique community-led all-day hangout.
Native’s current portfolio includes six properties across London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The brand has announced ambitious growth plans, aiming to open five new hotels within the next two years as part of its 2025 vision. While opening a fourth site in London has already been confirmed for Q4 this year, new destinations within the UK – including Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff and Oxford – are also being considered.
Cheers for reading – we hope you enjoyed learning more about 5 of the best hybrid hospitality brands in Manchester!
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Want to read further hybrid hospitality industry insights and interviews with leaders from global hybrid brands? Download our whitepaper – Hybrid Hospitality Unpacked: From concept to community building – here.
