The covers were on, and the only signs of life in the outfield were two magpies strutting at square leg. Being Manchester, there was low cloud — as cricket commentators seldom tire of joking: “If you can’t see the Pennines, it is raining; if you can, it’s about to.”

Nonetheless I was in cricket fans’ paradise. My bedroom gave on to a balcony, which in turn gave on to the Old Trafford ground, one of the world’s great Test arenas. To my right stood the pavilion and opposite, the scoreboard.

I had business in south Manchester, and when someone mentioned that the Lancashire County Cricket Club had built a hotel into the stands of its headquarters ground, I needed no second bidding. The Old Trafford Lodge may be a budget hotel, perfectly adequate in winter for overnight business stays, but in summer (at least, in a room like mine with a view of the ground) it is nothing short of heaven for cricket nuts.

I arrived late and was greeted by a pretty receptionist wearing a badge announcing she was a “trainee”, which — after some time fumbling with the computer — she clearly was. My fellow guests were mainly on business, and small knots of sales reps and managers talked percentages as they downed late evening beers. A TV showed cricket from the World Cup, but it wasn’t intrusive.

The landings boasted large photos of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, Lancashire’s cricketing hero, which raised a wry smile as this was the week he was stripped of the England vice-captaincy for being drunk in charge of a pedalo.

The bedroom was decorated with pictures of bats and balls, stumps and gloves, and beyond the darkened window lay the ground. I slept with the curtains drawn back so as to wake early to the view.

The room was all I wanted. Tea and biscuits, trouser press, flat-screen TV, comfortable double bed, bathroom in full working order — and everything clean and well-ordered. Breakfast in the simple, minimalist reception-bar area was excellent — continental, with a delicious fresh fruit salad.

The one downside — though not, fortunately, for me — is that half the rooms overlook not the ground but a large car park. To have a room there would be like checking in to a seaside hotel famous for its view only to find you were staring at a wall at the back. And the price difference between view and nonview at nonmatch times is a mere fiver.

Bottom line: Robert Chesshyre paid £69 for his room, including breakfast. During a Test match, the room would cost £300.

Need to know: Old Trafford Lodge (0161-874 3333, www.oldtraffordlodgehotel.co.uk), Manchester M16 0PX.

Sampling the fare: Bar sandwiches; local takeaways. First-rate breakfast.

Access all areas: Yes.

Best thing: The view of the ground.

Worst thing: The view of the car park.

Room: 7 out of 10.

Food: 8 out of 10.

Service: 7 out of 10.

Value: 9 out of 10.

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