Manchester is northern England’s powerhouse city. Set between the River Irwell and a network of waterways and miles of canals, Manchester’s skyline is punctuated by red brick warehouses, Victorian clock towers, and industrial chimneys.

The canals and chimneys stand as a lasting tribute to the vital role Manchester played during the Industrial Revolution, and you’ll quickly come to understand that this is a city built by the people, for the people. Visit the Science and Industry Museum, the People’s History Museum, and the Manchester Museum to learn more. 

The factories have fallen silent, but they’ve been replaced by revitalized canalside areas, a loud and vibrant music industry (Manchester was the home of bands like Oasis, Joy Division, and the Stone Roses), fantastic nightlife districts, and a burgeoning culinary scene. Don’t forget football (soccer), either, because two of the world’s greatest teams (Manchester United and Manchester City) play their home games here. 

And there are some excellent boutique hotels, luxury apartments, and five-star hotels packed with industrial history and heritage where you can enjoy a plush night’s sleep after a day of sightseeing. If you’re planning a trip to northern England, then keep reading as we explain where to stay in Manchester! 

Where to Stay in Manchester

Manchester is one of the United Kingdom’s largest and most exciting cities, and that means there’s an excellent range of accommodation options for you to choose from. Manchester hotels are spread out across the city’s multiple districts, and you’ll have some fantastic luxury choices wherever you choose to base yourself.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a repeat traveler, we recommend booking a hotel in one of Manchester’s city center districts. This area roughly corresponds to the districts between the River Irwell and the city’s major train stations, notably Manchester Victoria, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, and Manchester Deansgate. 

The areas around Manchester Piccadilly and Deansgate are where you’ll find city center shopping streets and luxury hotels on the way toward the Arndale Centre, and this central location is a great choice for convenience. 

For nightlife, book a boutique stay in the Northern Quarter, while across the river in Salford, you’ll find modern options in repurposed riverside areas. Keep reading as we count down the 12 best places to stay in Manchester!

The 12 Best Hotels in Manchester

1. Hotel Gotham

One of the best hotels in Manchester is Hotel Gotham. Without a doubt, few other hotels in the city can match this five-star favorite for history and uniqueness, and you’ll love how you’re staying in an art-deco building designed by the one and only Edwin Lutyens. 

Lutyens was one of Britain’s greatest architects, and he was renowned for the grand public buildings he designed and built across the country in the early 20th century. Located at 100 King Street, Hotel Gotham dates back to 1928 when it first opened as the Midland Bank. 

As the legend goes, when the bank was transformed into a hotel in the 21st century, they found mysterious stashes of gold and the original tapes from several of Manchester’s greatest local bands in the old banking vaults below ground. 

Hotel Gotham has preserved much of its original art-deco style in both architecture and interior design. There are just 55 luxury rooms and five “Inner Sanctum” suites, each of which is dark in tone and color (to promote a sense of 1920s decadence) but brightened up with plush purple armchairs, brass fittings, and lavish bedding, rugs, and throws. 

The hotel’s 2AA Rosette Honey Restaurant also evokes the art-deco experience of the 1920s (“honey” was 1920s slang for “money!”). The restaurant serves up locally sourced produce from the northwest of England, with an a la carte menu featuring such delights as beef tartare, terrine, and cauliflower cheese croquettes for starters, followed by spiced lamb rump, whole plaice, or freekeh risotto for mains. Finish the evening with a poached plum custard tart and your choice of port and dessert wines from the extensive cellar collection. 

2. The Edwardian Manchester

If you have a penchant for modern, five-star luxuries, then you’ll find your expectations exceeded by The Edwardian Manchester. This wonderful boutique hotel offers 263 luxury rooms and suites, where you can recline in refined comforts after a day of sightseeing in the city. 

The Edwardian Manchester recently underwent an expensive renovation, but you’ll love how the contemporary luxury feels still merge seamlessly with the hotel’s glorious past. You’ll find the hotel is set within the grand, Grade-II Listed walls of Manchester’s Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, which originally opened as a commercial center way back in 1856. 

The stunning Victorian-era facade gives way to opulent Greco-Roman style columns and pillars in the lobby before the luxury rooms offer a starkly contrasting contemporary design. Enjoy the sumptuous setting of Italian-style marble bathrooms, the plush comforts of a Vispring mattress and 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding, and the much-needed speed of 150mps internet to stream your favorite shows and movies on the flat-screen television.

Work out in the hotel’s “Technogym” equipped fitness center, take a swim in the 12-meter-long aquamarine pool, then sweat it out in the sauna or steam room before enjoying a massage in the spa. Order pre-dinner cocktails and drinks at The Library, curated by Assouline, before dining on a fusion of Mexican and Japanese-inspired small plates at the award-winning Peter Street Kitchen.

3. Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a beautiful landmark on Manchester’s industrial skyline. Now one of the best five-star hotels in Manchester, the building where you’ll be enjoying refined luxury started life as the lavish headquarters of The Refuge Assurance Company in the 1890s. The building, with its distinctive clock tower, is now Grade II listed and packed with history and heritage. 

Step off the train at Manchester Oxford Road Station, and you’ll see the glorious clock tower ahead of you. Inside, you’ll be greeted by friendly check-in staff as you admire the grandness of the Victorian lobby’s high-vaulted ceilings, stunning glass dome, and unique sculpture of a horse carved from bronze.

You’ll feel like a Victorian lady or gentleman as you’re escorted to your luxurious boutique room on the upper floors. Here, you’ll find the 19th-century ceilings and bay windows remain unchanged, while antique wardrobes, foot lockers, and leather seats continue your transportation back in time. 

But you’ll be brought firmly into the present when you connect to the super-fast Wi-Fi, revel in the bright tones and colors of the in-room decor, and enjoy the plush comforts of your luxury bedding.

Reserve a table at The Refuge Dining Room for a taste of Manchester’s finest pub offerings. Start with glammed-up cocktails in an industrial-chic setting, then feast on Smash Burgers, Northern Pies, and on Sundays, all-day roast dinners. 

4. The Alan

The Alan is one of the most modern boutique hotels in Manchester, and you’ll love the design-led concept that sweeps through this four-star hotel. 

The Alan is located right next to St Peter’s Square, where you’ll find 137 stylish rooms spread out across six stories of industrial heritage. While the interiors are designer in approach, the post-industrial style has also retained many of the Victorian-era building’s original features, including vaulted ceilings, exposed brickwork, and even a few marble fragments of old. 

Rooms at The Alan are split into five distinct categories. The Standard rooms feature an emperor-size bed, 200-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding, rainfall showers, 50-inch smart televisions, and a selection of artisanal Bohea Teas to enjoy. 

The Midi rooms feature all of the above, a dedicated working area, and much more space where you can relax and unwind. The Master rooms are even more spacious, The Suites are even more luxurious, and The Original rooms are perfectly downsized for anyone on a budget. 

The Alan’s restaurant serves up a delectable selection of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fuel up for the day with a Full English Breakfast or Eggs Benedict in the morning, enjoy oysters, truffled mac and cheese, and potato and ox cheek bites for lunch, then gorge on steaks, curries, and venison for dinner! 

5. Yotel Manchester Deansgate

One of the coolest hotels in Manchester is Yotel Manchester Deansgate, a quirky, four-star boutique stay that’s packed with color and character. 

Yotel hotels across the world are known for their compact style of boutique luxury and distinctive neon purple branding. You’ll spot the hotel from a mile away in Deansgate, where you’ll be surrounded by many of Manchester’s trendiest bars, restaurants, and cafes.

From checking in using the hotel’s 24/7 Mission Control panels in the lobby to booking intense cardio classes at the Trib3 Fitness Studio, your stay at Yotel Manchester Deansgate is always focused on the tech. This is a high-tech hotel, and you’ll love everything from the high-speed Wi-Fi to the wireless charging stations. 

Rooms at Yotel Manchester Deansgate are suitably neon in design. Branding is strong at this boutique hotel, and you’ll love the smart in-room layouts that maximize space, the smooth mood lighting and modern minimalist decor in the bedrooms, and the Urban Jungle toiletries that await you in the bathrooms. 

Once you’ve settled in, head down to the Motley, where the Yotel’s distinctive style continues in the restaurant and bar. Faux plants, brass brick walls, and garish neon advertising await you in the moody Motley, where you can kick things off with a hand-mixed cocktail or a pint of the signature Motley Lager. 

Whet your appetite with small plate selections like beef shin croquettes and jerk jackfruit tacos, but save room for the Motley Cheeseburger, Spiced Lamb Motley Kebabs, or the 10oz Pork Ribeye.

6. Native Manchester

Sometimes you just want a home away from home when you’re traveling, even if it’s just for a few quiet nights. That’s where Native Manchester comes into play because no other aparthotel in the city compares to the luxury of this four-star boutique stay.

Easily one of the best hotels in Manchester, Native Manchester is perfectly located in the Northern Quarter, a trendy neighborhood where you’ll be set among local Mancunians just outside the city center. The 162 stylish apartments are located within the red brick walls of the Ducie Street Warehouse, a vast Victorian warehouse originally built to store huge quantities of cotton shipped over from the United States. 

The building is Grade II listed, but the apartments inside are wonderfully modern in character. Solo travelers might opt for a studio, where despite the name, you’re not lacking space. Studios offer king-size beds, a lounge area, and a fully equipped kitchen, all laid out in an open-plan style and featuring modern comforts and appliances. 

If you’re in a group or traveling as a family, then the one- or two-bedroom apartments are perfect, and if money is no object, then the two-bedroom penthouse suite is the hotel’s finest offering.

But Native Manchester is more than just its luxurious apartments. On the ground floor, you’ll find Cultureplex, a unique foodie center with three different cafes and bistros for drinking and dining. There’s also a co-working space, meeting rooms, cinema rooms, and BLOK, a workout space where you can work up a sweat by taking “Killer Classes.” 

7. Hotel Indigo Manchester

Perfectly situated among the cool bars and buzzing nightlife of the Northern Quarter, Hotel Indigo Manchester is one of the smoothest hotels in the city. 

You’ll find the hotel within a grand Victorian-era building dating back to the mid-19th century, just a short stroll away from Manchester Victoria Station. The magnificent red brick facade speaks of the industrial age that made Manchester, while inside you’ll find 187 modern rooms and suites that exemplify the city’s contemporary spirit. 

Rooms at the Hotel Indigo Manchester are all inspired by Manchester’s industrial heritage and traditional textiles industry. Expect to find unique textile artwork on the walls, alongside industrial-chic style furnishings and fittings. You’ll also have a smart TV, high thread count bedding, and super soft bathrobes for added comfort. 

The hotel’s Mamucium Restaurant draws on the modern Mancunian style through its preparation of international dishes cooked with locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a splendid afternoon tea with bubbles, a roaring roast dinner on Sundays, and expertly mixed cocktails every night of the week. 

8. The Midland

The Midland first opened its doors in 1903, when it became one of the first hotels in Manchester dedicated to providing clean, safe lodgings for the increasing number of rail passengers passing through the city. The Midland has very much transformed over the years from a humble transit hotel into a luxury four-star spa retreat, but that sense of heritage and service has never disappeared.

Your experience starts on arrival as you marvel at the turn of the 20th-century facade in all its post-industrial revolution glory. Enter the lobby, and you’re greeted by wondrous Greco-Roman columns and a magnificent atrium-like skylight as you check into one of the 312 luxury rooms found within this Grade II-listed hotel. 

Upstairs, you’ll love the tall Victorian windows offering lovely views over the rooftops. Colors and tones are muted, promoting a sense of calm and comfort as you slip into a luxury bathrobe or sink into plush bedding. More revitalizing comforts await you in the Rena Spa, where you can choose from steam rooms and sleep chambers to thermal experiences and award-winning treatments.

This truly is a hotel for fine diners. Start with cocktails and bar snacks at the Midland Lounge, then enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Mount Street Dining Room and Bar offers posh pub grub in an art-deco setting, and Adam Reid at the French has four AA Rosettes, multiple awards, and an ever-changing seasonal menu of fine dining specialties. 

9. The Lowry Hotel

One of the best Manchester hotels is The Lowry Hotel. Named for L. S. Lowry, the Mancunian artist famed for depicting working-class life in the north, this five-star luxury hotel is a long way from the factory scenes and industrial landscapes painted by its namesake!

The Lowry has a fine location overlooking the River Irwell, and the best rooms in the house provide wonderful river views from tall floor-to-ceiling windows. King-size beds and plush leather sofas feature as standard, as do fluffy bathrobes, luxury toiletries, and Lowry artwork. 

Down at the RE:TREAT Spa, you can further relax in a meditation pod, try a bit of cryotherapy, or brave the sensory deprivation tank. After a revitalizing spa session, enjoy calming scenes at The River Restaurant as you dine on the marvelous creations of Executive Chef Dominic Grundy’s gourmet cuisine. 

10. Malmaison Manchester

Once the domain of merchants, traders, and workers, you’ll find the Malmaison Manchester located within a repurposed warehouse and factory built in 1904. The soot and sweat of factory life have been left behind, though, because the Malmaison Manchester offers boutique, four-star luxury on the edge of the Northern Quarter. 

Step through the old entranceway, and you’ll be delighted by the contrast that awaits you within the red brick walls. The Malmaison Manchester is best described as chic and modern, with bright, garish colors and contemporary artwork found throughout. Each room is uniquely different, with individually commissioned prints and murals adorning the walls, alongside mood lighting, plush beds, and power showers. 

At Chez Mal Brasserie, you can then enjoy a delightful range of drinks from the quirky “Malchemy Cocktail Menu.” The brasserie serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and bar snacks, but it’s the dinner menu you’ll really love. The a la carte grill service begins with starters like grilled sea scallops and beef filet carpaccio, followed by grilled tuna steak, chicken Milanese, or 1-kilogram sharing steaks. 

11. Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre

One of the best Manchester hotels is the Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre. Conveniently located next to Manchester Oxford Road Station, you’ll love the contemporary charm and functionalist nature of this four-star hotel. 

There are 278 modern rooms and suites at the Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre, each of which comes with a raft of useful and comfortable features. The King Koil beds are designed to nurture you into a fantastic night’s sleep, the Chromecast televisions are perfect for a chilled evening, and the seamless ensuites need little introduction. This is one of the newest hotels in the city, so you can expect everything from the plush bedding to the unique artwork on the walls to be in pristine condition. 

There are tea and coffee-making facilities in the room, but you might prefer a freshly brewed cappuccino or latte from the on-site Red Bean Roaster Coffee Shop. A “Vitality Breakfast” of fresh fruit, freshly baked bread, scrumptious pastries, and bacon, eggs, and sausage is served every morning in the hotel’s restaurant, while the Grain & Grill Bar and Restaurant serves drinks and pub classics all through the day. 

12. Innside by Melia Manchester

Innside by Melia Manchester is one of the coolest Manchester hotels. This modern four-star offering from Melia is located on First Street, where you’ll be staying in luxury, just a short stroll from the Rochdale Canal Towpath, Deansgate Station, and the Palace Theatre. 

The first thing you’ll notice is that Innside by Melia Manchester draws fantastically from the city’s industrial heritage. At first glance, the exterior facade is yet another red brick Victorian classic. Perhaps it’s a former warehouse, or maybe a factory – you’ll be thinking from afar. As you arrive at the elegant glass entranceway, though, you’ll realize that, actually, the entire building is a work of contemporary art. 

The “red brick” facade isn’t made from red bricks at all, but rather, it simply draws inspiration from the city’s industrial heritage. Instead, the red exterior is seamlessly crafted from modern, sustainable materials, while the interiors are equally contemporary in their style and design. 

Rooms at Innside by Melia Manchester are decorated with a contrasting pattern of dark purple and bright white walls. You’ll have sweeping views of the city’s skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows, while every room comes with a spacious king-size bed as standard. There are practical work areas, Chromecast televisions, a free minibar (kitted out with “health drinks”), and an open-plan bathroom complete with a rain shower.  

The hotel offers guests 24/7 access to a fully equipped gym, while you can reserve the “Big Ideas Space” to hold business meetings and events. If you’re feeling hungry, then head on down to the First Street Bar and Kitchen, where celebrity Chef Gino D’Acampo runs a delectable Italian restaurant. 

That completes our list of the 12 best Manchester hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Manchester, England? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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