Wondering where to stay in Manchester and what the best hotels are? Manchester is one of the UK’s most iconic and best places, with a music scene that has given birth to bands like Oasis and Joy Division as well as a few football teams that are kind of a big deal. But as a city break destination, it’s often overlooked when compared to London or several of the other bigger cities in England — which is crazy considering it has so many things to see and do and the level of quality Manchester accommodation you can find.
My recent impromptu visit to the city — these things happen when you love to travel, and you find an amazing Manchester-based tattoo artist on Instagram — began by roaming the depths of Booking.com to find Manchester accommodation that suited my requirements. And also something that offered an ideal home-away-from-home to recover from several days of tattooing and exploring the Manchester vegan scene and the best Manchester thirft stores (one of my fave travel activities!). Fortunately, my search proved to be fruitful, and I stumbled upon plenty of incredible places to stay in Manchester.
Wondering what the best Manchester hotels are? Whether you’re looking for Manchester Piccadilly hotels that are a quick stroll from Piccadilly rail station and easy access to Manchester Airport, or a boutique accommodation for a bespoke trip in one of Manchester’s best neighborhoods, or quirky spots immersed in Manchester’s most lively areas which you search for the best Manchester art gallery — this post will prove more than enough choices to suit your needs!
Where to Stay in Manchester
Cow Hollow Hotel
Located in the Northern Quarter not too far from Market Street and many tourist attractions, this restored turn-of-the-century textile mill is undoubtedly one of the most interesting boutique hotels in Manchester, which is home to 16 luxury hotel rooms. While the Cow Hollow is a high-tech and beautiful hotel, it doesn’t shy away from the history of the building and fully embraces the industrial aesthetic. Everyone loses their shit a bit over exposed brick, don’t they? Every room, as well as the lobby and bar, is beautifully designed, offers a luxury experience, and is affordable. They do have a beautiful on-site bar called the Plantation Bar, which has several beautiful seating areas engulfed with lush palm trees.
One of the more interesting things I found about the Cow Hollow is that rather than having their own restaurant, they prefer to focus on what they do best — being a bespoke hotel. Instead, they are good friends with several eateries in the area and can provide genuinely informative and helpful suggestions — which is especially beneficial if you’re like me, and always looking for a decent vegan spot to eat nearby.
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Native Manchester
Native (formerly The Place Aparthotel) is situated in The Ducie Street Warehouse, a grade-two Victorian Warehouse that boasts six floors of 166 apartments and eight penthouses with private outdoor terraces. So yeah, as far as Manchester Piccadilly hotels (near the station) go, Native is definitely one to scribble down on your to-do list.
If you’re looking for Manchester accommodation that’s not only in the heart of the city but also has lots to offer — you can’t go wrong here. This apartment hotel has a restaurant and bar, a coffee shop, and even fitness studios for travelers who don’t let wanderlust get in the way of their workout regime — or if you’re like me and love a peaceful yoga space. When it comes to the rooms themselves, the generous kitchen and living space are perfect for returning after a long day of exploring the city and feel right at home!
Although Native has done a fantastic job of creating an environment that almost makes it seem like a shame to leave, the surrounding neighborhood is definitely worth exploring. So if you’re looking for a few things to check out nearby, you can do so here.
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Selina
Selina’s NQ1 Manchester accommodation is one of their many locations throughout the world, and much like Native, it’s situated in a refurbished Victorian building. You’ll find that this tends to be the case in cities such as Manchester as they have a rich industrial history, for which the buildings make ideal locations for delightful hotels and apartments.
But this isn’t a history lesson, let’s get back on track. One of a few fab budget hotels of Greater Manchester, Selina is located in an area that’s jam-packed with vintage stores, artisan coffee shops, and all the pubs you could possibly need for a good night out — and a subsequent wicked hangover. In regards to the accommodation itself, the rooms range from twins to six-bed community hostel-style rooms, making it an ideal location if you’re traveling solo or with a group. They also have an on-site coffee shop, restaurant, and bar — but one of the most interesting aspects of Selina is their co-working space. This, coupled with their high-speed Wifi, makes it a brilliant place to stay if you’re a blogger or freelancer in need of a space to get some work done.
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Malmaison
Malmaison is a hotel that fully embraces the finer things in life and reflects this throughout the entirety of its 117 luxury rooms and 13 suites. Whether you’re on a business trip or simply there to see the sights, this is a boutique hotel in Manchester that will live long in memory. Located right across the road from Picadilly Station, Malmaison puts you amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. Not only giving you an authentic feel for the city, but it also means you won’t have far to walk if you want to explore.
Their on-site Chez Mal restaurant serves locally-sourced and inspired dishes with a great vegan menu, while the Chez Mal bar will provide all you need in more in the form of cocktails and other drinks. Also, they have a fully-equipped gym and luxury spa — so if the weather is particularly awful (it often is in the UK), you have everything you need to relax under one roof.
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Velvet Hotel
Although there are many, many places to stay in Manchester — few will have the charming, luxurious appeal of the Velvet Hotel. Located on Canal Street in the Village, one of the city’s most lively districts, the Velvet is another of Manchester’s Piccadilly hotels to keep in mind. Every room and penthouse suite has been designed individually, so you know that a lot of thought has gone into making it as comfortable and accessible as possible. Their not-so-standard ‘King Rooms’ is the most affordable available, whereas the Penthouse Suite is more idyllic for those with lots of cash to spend.
Downstairs you’ll find the Velvet Bar and Restaurant, both of which maintain the same charming passion for luxury both in the style and design as well as the food and drink they serve. It’s clear that their goal is to WOW you at every corner, which they do a good job of, but also they succeed in giving you a beautiful and comfortable place to lay your head down for the night. What more could you want?
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Whitworth Locke
Whitworth Locke is the perfect Manchester accommodation for creatives who appreciate history, design, and a place where — as they put it themselves — the “lines between work & play blur”. Located in an old cotton mill a short walking distance to and from Palace Theatre, this is another place to stay in Manchester that benefits from a raw industrial vibe, with a few sprinkles of creative thought, authentic culture, and a passion for bespoke hospitality that is difficult to rival.
I’m someone who always appreciates the quirkier things in life, so Whitworth Locke’s bright color schemes and creative living spaces are a good place for a home-away-from-home. With 160 apartments and suites to choose from, each varying in shape, size, and design, it’s safe to say each stay at Whitworth Locke will be a unique experience. Their on-site ‘Cotton Mill Bar and Restaurant’ continues the creative spirit and features a vast range of locally-inspired cuisine as well as Peruvian dishes from Peru Perdu.
Being situated in Manchester’s Civic Quarter, this hotel is only minutes away from many independent shops and bars, ideal if you’re someone who prefers to avoid chain stores and check out what the real people of a city have to offer.
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Victoria Warehouse Hotel
As you can probably guess from its name, the Victoria Warehouse Hotel is a beautifully restored Victorian warehouse that’s about a ten-minute drive from Manchester city centre and nearby Salford Quays – not to be confused with Victoria Station and the Manchester arena area. Many other hotels in Manchester opt for an industrial appeal, but this has got to be one of the most authentic and effective of them all. At a glance, the rooms may appear to be a bit bare and basic, but you’ll soon begin to notice intricate details and a warmth that makes it a really pleasant place to stay.
Each room has all of the usual amenities such as tea and coffee, etc. But one of the best things for people who like to get up and go is the ‘grab and go’ breakfast they offer every guest, ideal fuel for stomping around the city for a whole day. Also, they have an in-house yoga studio which guests can use to take part in evening classes. So whether you’re a yoga fiend such as myself or want to stretch out after a long day of travel, you won’t have to leave the hotel to do so.
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Hotel Gotham
Last but most definitely not least, Hotel Gotham is the perfect place for luxury and extravagance when it comes to Manchester accommodation. With 60 rooms (55 rooms and five “inner sanctum suites” that feature original features such as bespoke furniture, enormous luxurious beds, marble bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows, and Egyptian cotton bed sheets (I mean, why wouldn’t they?) — it’s safe to say they strive to ensure that every guest is as relaxed and blown away as possible.
Every room spares no expense when it comes to design with dazzling geometric carpets and dramatic windows, while the dark polished woods, tactile burnished metals, and luxurious leather make for a unique sensory experience. This is combined with features that make sure guests have everything they need. Examples of which include an espresso machine, soft robes, mini bar, seated area, and also a TV and Wifi.
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Are there any places to stay in Manchester that you think should be on the list? Let me know!