The Manchester
As I’m sitting here sipping on my double espresso during my last morning at the Manchester, I just can’t help but feel really cozy, and at home.
I’ve stayed at this boutique hotel in Lexington for the past two nights, and it was exactly what I needed after a long week of field travel and living in a Hilton hotel for the first half of the week (no offense, Hilton!).
Anywho, upon initially entering the Manchester, you’re welcomed with the scent of teak and sandalwood. Everything about this hotel smells good, both in the lobby and in your room. It’s evident that they put effort into ensuring that the scents match the ambiance of the hotel. The shampoos, conditioners, hand soaps, and body lotions are also all from Le Labo in New York, so you know it’s of high quality.
The establishment is filled primarily with dark and woody tones, but they’re perfectly married with random pops of color from things like situated books, cute furniture, and sporadic, but meticulously placed art pieces. I seriously love the interior design and whoever chose the color palette(s) did a wonderful job. Dark wood, navy blue, and olive green might seriously be my new favorite color combination now!
During my stay here, I was incredibly impressed with the quality of the food and the cocktails at their fine dining restaurant, Granddam. I was able to try the Morning Lox Salad, the Cedar Plank Salmon and Avocado Salad, the Granddam Smashburger, and the Ube Ice Cream Granola Dessert, and everything was on point. I especially loved the Morning Lox Salad and who knew a salad would be such a perfect and refreshing start to the day? I could literally live on this salad and the poached egg and semi-sweet flavors really balanced out the slight saltiness of the lox extremely well.
Cocktail-wise, I tried the Big Red Bear No. 2, the Woo-Tan Clan, the Quarter Pole, and the Ode to Elmer. The Big Red Bear No. 2 one was EASILY my favorite, as it comes out smoking from a glass jar, and as you take each sip, you get these nice and smoky tones. It also has beets in it, which is awesome. It was my very first bourbon cocktail ever in bourbon country, and it surely did not disappoint.
Additionally, the ceramics used to plate all the food, as well as the glassware that the drinks were concocted in, were all beautiful and well-curated too. I’m always a big sucker for the vessel that holds the sustenance and to me at least, it makes the food and drinks taste exponentially better. I also noticed that the mugs in your room are from CB2 too, so I see you, Manchester!
Something that I also noticed was the music that played throughout the venue. The music selection was astounding and consisted of a mixture of neosoul, soul, R&B, indie, and alternative rock. I even shazammed the song that greets you on the TV upon entering your room. By the way, the song is called, “You don’t want me” by Wesley Bright & the Honeytones, if you were curious. Overall, the music choices gave me Durand Jones and the Indications vibes mixed with Erykah Badu. On Friday night, they even had a live pianist accompanied with a singer, and the duo was so amazing, I felt obligated to give them each my lucky $2 bills, which was the only cash I had. They deserved it though.
In addition to the main lobby bar, the Manchester also has a rooftop bar called the ‘Lost Palm’, but I honestly didn’t love it as much. It’s more pink, bohemian, girly, and the drinks are more tropical / rum-based. I’m more of a musky kinda gal, so I prefer the more dimly lit bar with a menu of drinks that really sock you in the gut and make you feel tough.
Regardless, I do think it’s great that they created two totally different spaces, so that there’s something for everyone.
Gosh, I just really loved this hotel and all the thought that was put into it. It truly captured bourbon country in a beautiful and classy way, and there were horse antiques elegantly sprinkled throughout the Manchester, which also made me really feel like I was in the heart of Kentucky.
If in Lexington, I can’t emphasize it enough – you must stay here. This will now forever be my home whenever I’m in town, and I can’t wait to be back!
