The Rex

The Rex is a name you have to live up to. And it’s little wonder that this imposing hulk of a building is known as ‘the King of King Street’.

Sumptuously appointed, The Rex is a stylish, discrete, five-star hotel, which despite its ridiculously central location somehow manages to raise itself above the hubbub of the city – a sanctuary space to retreat from the clamour.

Originally the headquarters of the Midland Bank, it was designed in 1928 by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens – the man also responsible for much of New Delhi’s civic architecture. The Grade II-listed building was conceived at a time when banks wanted to project permanence, authority and wealth. Portland stone, towering proportions and intricate detailing made sure of it.

Converted into a hotel in 2015, The Rex leans into the theatrical glamour and Art Deco influence it has become known for. Original banking features remain threaded throughout — vault references, heavy metal doors, marble finishes and hushed corridors all nod to the structure’s former life safeguarding fortunes in the heart of the financial district.

Rooms range from sumptuous suites to its sought-after ‘inner sanctum’ rooms – with huge ‘wonderwall’ screens, emperor-sized beds and monsoon showers.

On the sixth floor, you’ll find the hotel’s flagship restaurant and social space. Framed by half moon windows, with vertiginous views, stylish furnishings and plush textures, it’s smart and well-appointed without tipping into formality. The menu moves between breakfast for guests, through the day to afternoon tea and a contemporary, globe-spanning tasting menu in the evening, open to residents and non-residents alike.

Then there’s Reserve, a jewel in the crown, so to speak. Occupying the rooftop level, the private members’ club transforms what was once one of Manchester’s most secretive buildings into one of its most sought-after open-air social spaces.

Spread across three separate wings with panoramic terraces overlooking the city, it combines skyline views with an atmosphere that feels intentionally understated. Access comes via vault-like entrances and industrial stairways, reinforcing the sense that you’re entering somewhere deliberately concealed from the streets below.

Inside, members and guests move between cocktails, small plates, work meetings and late-night conversations beneath the skyline.

Ultimately, The Rex succeeds because it understands the building it inhabits. Rather than fighting against the weight of 100 King Street’s history, it leans into it, preserving the drama, elegance and authority that made the address iconic in the first place, while giving Manchester one of its most striking modern hospitality destinations in the process.