The Best Hotels in Manchester

The Edwardian Manchester offers five-star luxury in the city of Manchester. The hotel is set inside the historic grade II listed Free Trade Hall, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic buildings, known for its musical and cultural past. Following a recent multi-million pound redesign in 2019, the hotel established itself as a new lifestyle destination for the city. Winner of ‘Best Luxury Restaurant’ in the UK at the British Restaurants Awards 2019, the hotel’s Peter Street Kitchen explores fine contemporary Japanese cuisine matched with a selection of contemporary Mexican dishes.

If you’re looking for a sleek stay only moments from the best bits of Manchester, look no further than INNSiDE by Meliá Manchester. This contemporary hotel is a five-minute walk from the Deansgate and Oxford Road train stations, and less than 1mi (1.6km) from the Manchester Art Gallery and the Science and Industry Museum. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed, and the hotel restaurant, First Street Bar & Kitchen, serves a menu of international dishes and cocktails. For more food, take a short stroll beside the canal to Ducie Street Warehouse, a great place to grab a drink or a Sunday roast while the resident DJ spins records.

This small, boutique hotel was a 1900s textile mill, and you can still feel the history of the place in the exposed brickwork and warehouse windows. Rooms with reclaimed-wood beds and rainfall showers are the affordable end of luxury, with no compromise on comfort. Each morning a breakfast bag arrives at your door with granola, fruit and pastries to set you up for the day – and a glass of prosecco awaits on arrival.

Sultry and sophisticated, Hotel Gotham radiates opulence from every nook. Faux-fur blankets adorn sprawling king-size beds, and each room comes with a roll-top bath or marble monsoon shower. The most extravagant suite has its own hammam. The signature food offering, Honey, is a destination restaurant, serving up fine-dining dishes garnished with edible flowers and foraged herbs. The evening tasting menu makes every night an occasion.

When the most basic room is labelled “deluxe”, you know you’re in for a treat. Rooms at the Lowry Hotel are bright and stylish, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting in light and a city skyline view. The River Restaurant is a Manchester icon, offering fine dining, lavish Sunday lunches and indulgent afternoon teas with riverside views. The on-site spa offers an array of massages and treatments, allowing you to unwind after a day exploring the city centre.

Marble pillars and towering ceilings whisper of this building’s past as the Manchester Stock Exchange. Now, luxurious lounges sit in the light of the old, arched windows. Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has even set up shop in the grand hall, serving a menu of refined British classics at the Bull & Bear. Rooms fit in seamlessly with the overall aesthetic, with shining brass fixtures and marble in bathrooms, and a palette of brown and cream tones.

The Velvet offers guests an intimate and relaxing experience during their Manchester stay. The rooms here are dark and sleek, with a colour scheme of burnt orange and warm yellows. This is a small hotel with only 19 rooms, guaranteeing guests first-class, personalised service. A highlight is the complimentary tea and coffee trays offered on arrival. The hotel boasts a romantic dining area overlooking the canal, perfect for a relaxing candlelit dinner.

Didsbury House is a suburban boutique hotel that offers clean, spacious rooms with elegant freestanding bathtubs. For a luxurious splurge, book the Opus Loft suite, which features exposed beams and twin roll-top baths for a touch of romance. Several lounges, a bar and a walled terrace provide many areas to relax, and the entire hotel can be rented for events or meetings.

Roomzzz is a self-proclaimed aparthotel, with rooms incorporating kitchenettes available for long- and short-term stays. A complimentary on-the-go breakfast is available for guests, allowing for quick and tasty meals to be eaten on the way to the Northern Quarter or Piccadilly Gardens. Families or small groups can book the Penthouse suite, which sleeps four and boasts a bathtub with jacuzzi.

Established in 1903, the Midland is an imposing and ornate hotel. The rooms here are decorated with a mixture of classic wood panelling and modern furnishings, while a brilliant on-site spa offers treatments such as facials and massages. Its close proximity to attractions including the Science and Industry Museum makes it a great base from which to explore Manchester. Consider wearing fine attire when dining at the French restaurant – though times have since changed, the Beatles were once denied entry for being inappropriately dressed.

The Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa, in the heart of modern Manchester, is dedicated to guest relaxation. The spa offers lavender facials and deep tissue massages, while visitors can also sip cocktails or indulge in afternoon tea at the Lounge Bar. This four-star establishment offers junior suites with panoramic views of the city.

Hotel Football was established by former football players Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville. The stars decided to open their own hotel drawing on their experiences of different establishments during their international careers. Across from Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, a football theme runs through every aspect of this hotel – even the cocktails have names such as the Sweeper and Early Shower. Free chocolates are included in the complementary minibar.