The Best Hotels in Manchester
Historically an industrial stronghold of northern England, Manchester is the hometown of Oasis, the Smiths and two world-famous football teams. The city is an eclectic and vibrant hub of music, art and creativity – so it’s no wonder tourists flock from far and wide to visit. And when they need a place to stay? From the high-class to the boutique, here are the best hotels in Manchester.
1. INNSiDE by Meliá Manchester, for cultural highlights nearby
Hotel
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.
2. The Cow Hollow Hotel, for affordable luxury
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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.
3. Hotel Gotham, for sophisticated opulence
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4. The Lowry Hotel, for a little indulgence
Boutique Hotel
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.
5. Stock Exchange Hotel, for a British classic
Boutique Hotel
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.
6. Velvet Hotel, for a sleek boutique feel
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7. Didsbury House, for rustic romance
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
8. Roomzzz, for a home-from-home feel
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9. The Midland, for a touch of class
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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.
10. Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa, for indulgent treatments
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11. Hotel Football, for a sport fan's paradise
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Want something a little more special? Read our guides to the top romantic hotels and the most luxurious hotels in Manchester.
Suzy Pope contributed additional reporting to this article.
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