STUDENTS in Manchester who would once have eked out an existence in damp bedsits are now living it up in the spa, steam room or whirlpool.
Nearly a thousand undergraduates from Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan universities are enjoying a luxury lifestyle thanks to their plush new accommodation.
The Times Higher Education Supplement reported that deluxe double bedrooms, a heated swimming pool and a gym all feature in the Wilmslow Park hall of residence in the city.
They expect en-suite bathrooms and an internet connection as a matter of course and can opt for double bedrooms.
Wilmslow Park's manager Richard Tweedale told the paper: "Students are becoming more discerning about where they live.
"They are looking for a very good standard of accommodation."
'Hotel'
Wilmslow Park is not owned by the universities, but by private property firm Opal. The company is building similar accommodation in at least six other cities across the country, the THES said.
Christian Geelan, a 22-year-old politics and history student at Manchester University, told the paper: "It does feel a bit like a hotel. I have friends who use the Jacuzzi after lectures. Students seem to expect a lot more from halls of residence now."
Theology student Nicola Archard, 21, pays rent of é89 a week for her room at Wilmslow Park.
She said: "My friends and I catch up in the sauna and jacuzzi."
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I think it's fine to live in expensive halls, wear designers lables and socialise at least 5 times a week but don't then complain about top fees and student loan repayments.
I graduated two years ago and campaigned for free education for all, but not for spoiled brats who have yet to realsie that luxeries are something that you earn. I doubt they'll be lounging around in sauna's when they graduate to an ??18k job and have huge debts to pay off.
Very good idea.
Opal have also got a hotel in Manchester like this called the Place apartment hotel.
Which is like apartments for the night instead of just a single hotel room.
Im a big fan of Opal great devolpers.
Excellent, this is how accommodation should be provided, im tired of seeing slumlords earning vast profits from cramming as many students as possible into their sub-standard, possibly unsafe accommodation.