Manchester
Nestled on the corner where Chorlton Street meets Canal Street, in the heart of Manchester’s dynamic Gay Village, is Michelin Guide featured, LEVEN. A hipster’s paradise where mid-century meets luxury, this landmark early 20th century building has been transformed into a resting place for fun-seeking city goers. The effortlessly cool urban redbrick façade has been maintained, giving the space a trendy, industrial style that flows from the outside in as you make your way up to the lobby-turned-coffee-house. Offering coffees to cocktails, unwind and relax in the LEVEN Lounge, or enjoy a Continental breakfast buffet spread in the adjoining kitchen-dining style space, before you embark on your next jaunt around the city.
Located slap-bang in the centre of the Gay Village, with an array of lively bars to choose from, and a 10-minute journey from the iconic Old Trafford Stadium, sports-lovers and party animals alike can enjoy the cool comfort that LEVEN has to offer. The hotel is within walking distance to an a variety of well-known attractions—less than 1 km from Manchester Central Library, and the same distance from Bridgewater Hall, Manchester's international concert venue. A short 400 metre walk from the city centre and 500 metres from Manchester Art Gallery, use LEVEN as a restful base between excursions across the city.
Living Space
Derived from the Dutch word, "to live", LEVEN invites guests to embrace life to the fullest. It offers a space where visitors can immerse themselves in the energy of the city, then return to a haven that feels like home—a place not just to stay, but to truly live.
Each of the 41-rooms offer individual furnishings, making your stay feel utterly unique. The living space is lit up with mid-century industrial design, combining exposed brick, iron Crittal windows, and rich oak parquet. The two-room apartment uses modern furnishings that are absent of any frill and fuss, but provide a clean and classy look to the space. Overlooking a seamless red-brick backdrop of Chorlton Street, the buildings are framed by vast window panes that blur the line between outside and in, stitching together a seamless urban paradise.
We were welcomed to our room – Living Space. Flowing from the sleek kitchenette to a small, cosy living space, doors enter onto the spacious bedroom, standalone bath overlooking the bustling city, and adjoining bathroom. Blending style with substance, and every amenity thoughtfully considered, it offers unparalleled convenience and luxurious comfort. The kitchenette, stocked full of snacking and beverage options, invites you to indulge, while access to an electric hob and oven— a rare find in any stay— invite those who wish to truly settle in.
Maya Manchester
Our one-of-a-kind dining experience took place at Maya Manchester, headed up by Mancunian chef Gabe Lea. Situated a stone’s throw away from the hotel entrance, hunger drew us in to the descending steps of the canal-side brasserie serving up modern-European classics. After grabbing a drink from the downstairs bar, and enjoying the revelry of their weekly basement music event, we made our way upstairs to the restaurant. The transformed Manchester Warehouse offers three storeys of dining, cocktails and party atmospheres, with the promise of a memorable experience in each. Upon entry to the dimly lit and indulgently adorned dining space, with ample seating surrounding a decadent central bar, we were transported into an intimate, old-timey dining club.
After a welcome bottle of prosecco, the show began. The atmospheric carousing to the rampant downstairs beats was by no means missed during our culinary experience. Entering onto the dining floor, burlesque dancers made their way around the room before the appetisers had even shown. A dazzling first for both myself and my guest, their lavish performance transformed the evening into the epitome of dinner and a show.
As the dancers gracefully departed, our appetisers made their entrance. Picking from the locally sourced and seasonal menu, we started with Hand-Dived Scallops with Chilli and Lime. The scallops, succulent and tender, were cooked to perfection, their natural sweetness cut with the sharp tang of self-serve lemon wedges. As an appreciator of a citrus kick, the generous helping of lemon slices was greatly appreciated, with a subtle warmth of chilli that added just the right depth. The dish was deliciously light and delivered a tasteful balance that was perfectly complemented by a crisp glass of bubbly.
My guest opted for the Seabass Ceviche with Agua Chile de Mango, Chilli, Cucumber and Plantain Chips, that arrived in a vibrant display and offered a delightful play of textures, each bite a refreshing medley of colour and texture. Fresh seabass was elevated by a herbaceous salsa verde-meets-pesto, delivering a bright freshness. A burst of sweet mango followed, leaving behind a gentle warmth from the red chilli. To finish, the satisfying crunch of a plantain chip—reminiscent of a classic potato crisp—offered a nice sensory touch.
Our indulgent journey continued to the main course, with the timeless choice of steak and fries. We savoured the 350gr Rib Eye and 250gr 21-Day Aged Beef Fillet, each accompanied with a Salad Bouquet and Fries. Both cuts arrived perfectly pink, juicy, and tender—a good medium-rare. Opting for a herbaceous Chimichurri and richly sweet Peppercorn sauce, both flavours were the perfect balance for enjoying the complexities of the cooking. It was a classically luxurious course to finish our dining experience at the one-of-a-kind Maya Manchester.
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LEVEN
Address: 40 Chorlton Street, Manchester, M1 3HW | Website: https://liveleven.com/ | Phone: +44 161 359 7900 | Email: info@liveleven.com | Instagram: @live.leven | Facebook: Leven Manchester
MAYA
Address: 40 Chorlton Street, Manchester, M1 3HW | Website: https://www.mayamanchester.com/ | Phone: 0161 517 0000 | Email: reservations@mayamanchester.com | Instagram: @maya_mcr | Facebook: Maya Manchester
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