Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport managed by LGH Hotels Management celebrated its 60th anniversary this week, six decades after opening in 1965 as The Excelsior, the original hotel at Manchester Airport.
The milestone came just a year after the completion of an £8 million refurbishment by LGH Hotels Management, which saw 299 guest bedrooms and public spaces undergo an impressive makeover. Today, the vibrant and colourful new open lobby with its sparkling new bar and fashionable seating area for working and socialising (which has proved a big hit with the local market and travellers alike), is worlds away from the hotel’s original design.
Matt Byram, General Manager for the Crowne Plaza Manchester Airport Hotel says,
“Whilst the hotel’s looks have changed, there remains a great fondness for the heritage and story of this hotel for playing an important part in Manchester’s aviation history. It was wonderful to have guests celebrate with us and recall memories of coming here over the decades as somewhere to call home before jet setting off on their holidays.”
Guests checking in on the day were welcomed with a glass of Prosecco, birthday cake, Crowne Plaza Manchester Branded macaroons, and a specially created 60s-inspired Aviation cocktail. A Wheel of Fortune gave guests the chance to win prizes, while a guestbook and memory wall encouraged visitors to share stories and memories from the past 60 years.
The hotel was decorated with 60th birthday bunting and a balloon arch at the entrance, while staff wore commemorative pin badges and limited-edition T-shirts for the day. Even key card wallets were updated with a 60th anniversary sticker.
The celebration paid tribute to the hotel’s longstanding role in the airport’s history and its place in the hearts of travellers, plane spotters and the local community.
Officially opened on 6th May 1965 by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, the 264-bedroom Excelsior Hotel (as it was known then) was the first and the original Manchester Airport Hotel before Ringway was expanded in the 1990s.
The Excelsior used to be outside the original Terminal 1 which opened in 1962, and it was often used as overspill free parking for the small car park outside the terminal.
The Excelsior was also familiar to plane spotters and families on days out at the airport and was hugely popular back then as the old spectator gallery was next to the hotel. In June 2007 the hotel underwent a multimillion-pound refurbishment including the installation of triple glazing on all guest rooms, redesigned lobby and restaurant outlets and new canopy.
In May 2015 the hotel celebrated its 50th year anniversary in true 1960s style and in June 2015 the hotel added 5 new bedrooms bringing the total room count to 299. LGH Hotels Management took over operations in 2016 and has since put the hotel on the map for its recent multi-million pound refurbishment, Business Centre, competitively priced Park, Stay and Fly packages, 24-hour Fitness Centre, Club Lounge, Open Lobby concept and excellent service and dining experiences, including the destination Chinese restaurant, Sampans.
