Can it be possible? Is Sir Cliff hip? That’s what I’m thinking to myself as I check in to the Arora in Manchester — the city’s latest style hotel, which follows hot on the heels of the Rossetti and the Malmaison, and is part-owned by Sir Cliff Richard.

Yes, that’s right: Sir Cliff is one of the financiers behind the Arora, which is bang in the city centre, set in a converted 19th-century wool mill, and drop-dead trendy.

The hotel opened in June to great local acclaim — the slick Obsidian restaurant and bar immediately attracting the local A-list of Manchester United and Coronation Street stars, and earning rave reviews for its modern menu.

But here’s where it starts to get stranger. The Arora is minimalist in style and quite definitely “cool”, yet it has four rooms with a Cliff Richard theme, decorated with memorabilia celebrating highlights of his career including Summer Holiday and Congratulations (pictures, film posters, gold discs of his singles).

I wasn’t in one of the Cliff quartet. My room, 102, was large with neutral tasteful colours, a cream armchair, extremely comfortable bed, and no pics of Sir Cliff (the only real style difference in the non-Cliff rooms).

The Obsidian is what really gives the Arora its edge. On the Saturday night of my visit, it was abuzz with Manchester’s trendiest hipsters and shakers, downing elegant cocktails (£6.50 for a mojito) and looking beautiful.

Tandoori monkfish, caramelised duck, wild mushroom risotto, sautéed calves liver, pan-seared seabass and deep-fried cod with Indian spices give a flavour of the menu.

I tried the deep-fried cod, which was terrific. Our only complaint was that the wine took 15 minutes to arrive — and the waitress didn’t seem too pleased when we had to ask her about it.

That wasn’t very cool, although I suppose it was, in another sense. No sign of Sir Cliff. Perhaps he’s too hip to be seen with the likes of us these days.

Sampling the fare: Three-course meals about £40 per person with wine.

Bottom line: B&B doubles from £99.

Access all areas: Seven rooms with wheelchair access.

Need to know: Arora (0161-236 8999, www.arorainternational.com), 18-24 Princess Street, Manchester.

Room: 7 out of 10.

Food: 8 out of 10.

Service: 6 out of 10.

Sir Cliff factor: 10 out of 10.

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