HOTEL OF THE WEEK A former school is the setting for the five-star Great John Street Hotel in Manchester. It still draws on its educational roots, but these days the specialist subject is luxury

Until relatively recently, Manchester had just one five-starhotel, the huge, award-winning Lowry. But with the opening of the 30-suite Great John Street last October it now has a five-star boutiquerival. Pity all those overpaid United footballers: now they have achoice of where to book a room for the night.

Small, but almost perfectly formed, the Great John Street takesits inspiration from the three-storey Victorian red-brick building'soriginal function - a school. Thus you'll find a "Boys' Staircase"and a "Girls' Staircase", black-and-white class photos on the walls,and a "Headmaster's Office" for business meetings.

But, that is where any sense of the utilitarian stops. Theinteriors, while hardly original - subdued good taste with a hint ofthe exotic - are single-mindedly luxurious. Low Louis XV-stylechairs, upholstered in taupe and berry crushed velvets, are mixedwith floor-to-ceiling lilac-and-gold voile curtains, and highlypolished, original wooden floors reflect the light from Moroccanlamps and mirror-glass side tables. Just perfect for a rock star'sprivate party - indeed, Simply Red had a do on the roof terrace.

The staff are sweetly chatty and eager to please, if occasionallya little perplexed by the demands of their j ob. And, while some ofthe finishing touches lack panache - when you are spending awalletscouring pounds 450 a night, you would expect classierchocolates in the mini-bar, not a Toblerone and a packet of Maltesers- the Lowry needs to watch its back. It is no longer the only premier-league player in town.

The location

Down a side street near the River Irwell, 10 minutes' tram ridefrom Piccadilly station, and cheekily close to the Lowry. GranadaStudios peers over its shoulder, so guests in the front suites catchglimpses of Corrie regulars going on and offset.

The comfort factor

The duplex suites all have dizzily high schoolroom ceilings and amezzanine floor, which makes even the smallest feel like anapartment. The beds have Egyptian cotton sheets, and chenille andvelvet throws for chilly Northern nights. There are the usual boys'toys - DVD player, DAB radio, broadband internet - and a puzzlingminiature calculator, which is left on your pillow. Could this be fortotting up the bar bill before you go to sleep?

The bathroom

Open-plan and on the mezzanine, in the modern, look-at-me-I'm-having-a-wash way. Roll-top cast-iron baths make a nod to thebuilding's origins, while the walk-in steam shower is unashamedly21st century.

The food and drink

The inviting, deco-decadent lounge bar is the hotel's centrepiece -literally, as it occupies a one-and-a-half-storey well in the middleof the building. Food is limited to what are effectively substantialbar snacks: egg and chips, steak sandwich and croque monsieur. It'sopen to guests 24 hours a day.

The people

A slightly unsure mix of footballers' grown-up children, managingdirectors and upper-end media suits.

The area

You are well-placed for shopping at Deansgate, the Science andIndustry Museum in the old-satanic-mills quarter, and Manchester ArtGallery and the Royal Exchange theatre. WAGs will be glad to hearthat Harvey Nicks and Sel-fridges are also nearby.

The access

One suite is suitable for wheelchair users. Children are welcome,as are dogs.

The damage

Suites start at pounds 235 per night, room-only.

The address

Great John Street, Manchester M3 (0870-220 2277'greatjohnstreet.co.uk)