14 best hotels in Manchester for the perfect weekend away in 2024
The number of hotels in Manchester has been burgeoning over the past decade, which comes as no surprise, given the city's steady incline in popularity amongst tourists, celebs and ex-Londoners alike. Indeed, Manchester, the reigning queen of eclectic UK cities, is one of the most visited spots in England, offering plenty of wonders for tourists willing to make the journey up North. It's home to a bustling nightlife scene with cool bars, cafes, restaurants and boutiques in every corner, making it the perfect city destination for your next girl’s weekend away or hen party. So it's no surprise that luxury hotels can now be found in their hundreds.
If you’re planning the perfect Manchester getaway, we’ve rounded up some of the coolest, buzziest and most stylish hotels in Manchester for your perusal. From chic, luxury hotels to cosy stylish boutique hotels, our guide has got you covered for every style and budget. We’re certain you’ll find just the right Manchester hotel to make your weekend away one to remember.
Best hotels in Manchester at a glance:
- Best five-star hotel: King Street Townhouse
- Best boutique hotel: The Lowry Hotel
- Best spa hotel: The Edwardian Manchester
- Best hotel in Manchester city centre: Stock Exchange Hotel
- Best hotel for a girls' weekend: The Cow Hollow Hotel
Ahead, the best hotels in Manchester to check into in 2024…
1. Best five star hotels in Manchester
Spa: Yes
Pool: Yes
Price per night: From £169
Address: 10 Booth St, Manchester M2 4AW
Why we love it: If, like us, Manchester is slowly becoming a second home because more of your friends are making the move there, then you’ll equally want to find somewhere that feels like home from home too when you’re visiting. King Street Townhouse is exactly that and more, with its cosy boutique feel and sophisticated interiors. We loved the ESPA Suite with its own freestanding bathtub right next to the bed which is just a dream; a novelty that we just can't get enough of. Good luck trying to find time to even sit in the tub though, as the other spaces of the hotel are standout. The rooftop infinity pool with views across the city is complemented with a steam room and phone so you can order drinks straight up to the roof. Once you’re refreshed, head downstairs and make sure you book an afternoon tea in advance. The flavours are much more elevated than your standard afternoon tea and the space is intimate and incredibly relaxed. You’ll need to make sure you stay a few nights as there’s also a spa just next door. With an ESPA Bespoke Massage you can tailor your experience to exactly how you want it. Right down to choosing the essential oil blend of your choice. There’s also another steam room here, a sauna, refreshing experience showers and salt room to help you revive after a night out. Back in the hotel, do book the complementary basement cinema in advance to really wow your friends; it’s a wonderful addition, and it’s right next to the wine cellar so you can even book in for a wine tasting too. Delectable!
2. Best hotel for location in Manchester
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: From £99
Address: 7 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JB
Why we love it: You can’t really stay any closer to the main train station of Manchester Piccadilly than The Reach Piccadilly. This new Marriott hotel is only a 4 minute walk away from the station, and is the ideal stay if you are going to the nearby Depot Mayfield or iconic Gay Village on Canal St. We stayed in the Deluxe Bedroom (from £129 per night) which gives you a little more room than the standard room; plus if you’re on the 10th floor, you’ll get a balcony with great views across the city. The olive green and brass hued tones are set amongst a mix of woods and are complemented in the bathroom with an ultra modern black shower head that produces the most powerful rainfall-like shower we’ve only ever experienced at a spa; the best way to get over a hangover. The This Works Deep Sleep Pillow spray is a lovely touch and means you’re certainly in for a good nights sleep. The hotels restaurant isn’t overlooked either with its modern small plates. Our favourite dishes at Lock 84 were the Smoked Salmon Tartare (order 2, you won’t regret it), the Seven Bro7hers Beef Short-Rib with meat that effortlessly fell off the bone, and the Bruléed Blueberry Basque Cheesecake as a desert sharer; just divine. Breakfast is your classic affair and is served until 1pm at weekends - yes you read that right. Just perfect if you plan on having a late one the night before.
3. Best boutique hotels in Manchester
Spa: Yes
Pool: No
Price per night: From £136
Address: 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford M3 5LH
Why we love it: While the Lowry is a little bit away from the city centre (bordering Salford Quays), it is a great choice if you want a quieter stay. The Lowry Hotel boasts incredible views of the River Irwell and is just a quick walk away from swanky shopping destination Exchange Square and the Spinningfields area. Plus, it’s very well connected with Manchester Victoria and Salford Central stations just a 15 minute walk away. The Lowry Hotel is named after L.S. Lowry, creator of the ‘Matchstick Men’ paintings and one of the city’s most famous artists. Sleek, contemporary and stylish, art is everywhere at this modern hotel which and it certainly reflects this artistic inspirations. We like all the nice little extra touches which include mocktail classes, free teddy bears for children and an indulgent Elemis Spa (and Elemis toiletries in the rooms).
4. Best hotels in Manchester city centre
Spa: Yes
Pool: No
Price per night: From £115
Address: 16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
Why we love it: Yet another hotel housed in a historical Grade II listed Mancunian building, The Midland Hotel is one of the city’s most impressive luxury hotels and has one of the richest histories. Rumours say that this is the hotel where Becks and Posh fell in love, and we’ve certainly fallen in love with The Midland too. Located in Peter Street, right by the Manchester Central Library, Bridgewater Concert Venue and Manchester Piccadilly station, you couldn’t find a more central location in the heart of Manchester. A beautiful glass-ceilinged reception hall, marble corridors and a handsome restaurant all pay homage to the building’s storied past. There are plenty of dining options too at The Midland, from the Adam Reid helmed fine dining restaurant, The French, to the more casual Mr. Cooper’s Restaurant and Bar.
5. Best budget hotels in Manchester
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: From £105
Address: 57 Newton St, Manchester M1 1ET
Why we love it: Located in Manchester’s eclectic Northern Quarter, The Cow Hollow is a stylish boutique hotel that is perfect for a fun weekend away. The Cow Hollow Hotel is known for going the extra mile and treats its guests to a range of enticing treats — including free prosecco at The Plantation Bar. Occupying a former textile warehouse, the Cow Hollow Hotel is brimming with panache with character. The beds are made from old railway sleepers, while bold décor, exposed beams and exposed brick interiors pay homage to its warehouse past. While the hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant, the wonderful concierge team have a boatload of recommendations for the coolest bars and restaurants in the Northern Quarter and Market Street.
6. Best hotels in Manchester for couples
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: From £118
Address: Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
Why we love it: Housed in a towering Victorian building and clock tower, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has become a familiar sight in the Manchester City centre skyline. The hotel sits in between Oxford Road and Whitworth Street, right by Canal Street’s lively bars and restaurants. Every corner was designed to take your breath away, from the dazzling domed lobby, whimsical Winter Garden to the very Instagrammable ‘The Glamour of Manchester’ mural. The 270 rooms still have much of the hotel’s original features, giving each room plenty of old world glamour and style.The hotel goes above and beyond to make all guests feel at home and even has a social hour where staff can let their hair down and hang out it guests (whilst enjoying some complimentary wines and beers). The hotel’s extremely popular Refuge by Volta restaurant on the ground floor is always fully booked (and for good reason). However, it’s definitely worth booking in advance for the great menu and even better ambiance.
7. Best hotels in Manchester city centre with parking
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: £150
Address: 4 Norfolk St, Manchester M2 1DW
Why we love it: Nestled in the heart of Manchester City Centre in the city’s former Stock Exchange, is the appropriately named Stock Exchange Hotel. This classy joint is one of the best luxury hotels in Manchester and is just a quick walk from the vibey restaurants and cafes of King Street and the quirky boutiques of Market Street. The Royal Exchange Theatre and the Manchester Art Gallery are also just a quick five-minute walk away and make ideal day-time activities for your girls weekend. Stained glass windows, marble floors and framed artefacts greet hotel guests at check-in, all paying tribute to the building’s history. The hotel offers 40 rooms and suites in a timeless and elegant décor, each one complete with Nespresso machines, D.R. Harris & Co toiletries, yoga mats (and free Wifi of course). We especially like the hotel’s Schofield Brothers' Stock Market Grill with head chef Joshua Reed-Cooper at the helm, which is a fabulous place to have a glitzy meal before your big night out.
8. Best romantic hotels in Manchester
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: From £133
Address: 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL
Why we love it: Part of the effortlessly cool Dakota group, the Dakota Manchester might just be the stylish retreat you’re looking for, for your sojourn up north. The hotel’s sleek, dark and moody interiors create a lush and sultry vibe. The whole hotel experience is like stepping into a fragrance advert, with rooms decorated in a stylish dark grey and purple motif. The rooms have underfloor heating, rainfall showers, and hair straighteners too – all thoughtful touches that really make the difference. There is also a dedicate champagne room, which is the perfect place to kick off the hen do festivities. Plus, the hotel’s convenient Ducie Street location is just a five-minute walk from the hip cocktail bars, cafes and restaurants of the Northern Quarter.
9. Best self-catering hotels in Manchester
Spa: No
Pool: Yes
Price per night: From £120
Address: 16 Chapel St, Manchester M3 7NH
Why we love it: Ideally located near the Exchange Square shopping centre, CitySuites is a great aparthotel for an extended stay in Manchester. You can stay at CitySuites for just one night, and its contemporary luxury apartments sure do make pretty swish home from homes in Manchester. Plus, there is also an 18-metre swimming pool, hot tub and a 24 hour gym, laundry services and free wifi — everything you need really for a longer stay.
10. Best hotels in Manchester with spa
The Edwardian Manchester, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Spa: Yes
Pool: Yes
Price per night: From £144
Address: Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
Why we love it: A celeb-favourite, The Edwardian Manchester has everything you need and more for a glitzy girls weekend. Located in the Free Trade Hall, one of Manchester’s most beautiful Grade II listed buildings, it is undoubtedly one of the best luxury hotels in the city. Situated in the heart of Manchester Central, The Edwardian is perfectly placed to explore all of the city’s cultural sights with the Museum of Science and Industry and Manchester Art Gallery not too far away. Occupying what used to be Manchester’s Free Trade Hall, the hotel still retains plenty of the site’s historical grandeur. The Peter Street Kitchen, which serves a creative Japanese/Mexican fusion menu, is a great shout for dinner and one of the buzziest restaurants on Peter Street. While the hotel has a fully equipped gym, it is the spa, housed in the vaults, that is a sight to behold. There is a 12-metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, experience shower and hot tub, the perfect place to recover after a big night out.
11. Best luxury hotels in Manchester
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: £145
Address: 100 King St, Manchester M2 4WU
Why we love it: The decadent Art Deco-inspired interiors of this five-star hotel just scream ‘girls weekend’, making it a stylish choice for your next weekend getaway. With a fabulous central location in buzzy King Street and just a quick walk away from the Piccadilly Train Station, the Hotel Gotham is an ideal hotel for a big night out in Manchester. Hotel Gotham is housed in a dazzling Edward Lutyens-designed building (formerly a bank) and has its own gold-toned Private Members Club called Brass in the top floor. The hotel cheekily pays homage to the building’s past life as a bank with gold bars, moneybags and piggybanks as recurring themes throughout the double rooms and suites. The in-room dining is great, but the hotel’s in-house restaurant Honey offers plenty of theatrics and serves up a great menu of Mancunian favourites. With an impressive wine list, it’s the perfect spot to pop open a bottle pf prosecco with your girlfriends.
12. Best family hotels in Manchester
Spa: Yes
Pool: Yes
Price per night: From £116
Address: 303 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
Why we love it: The Hilton Manchester Deansgate has all the essentials of a well-respected chain hotel without being too ‘chainy’. Occupying the 23rd to 47th floors of the Beetham Tower skyscraper, the Hilton Manchester Deansgate offers some of the best views in the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise the views, which are best experienced at the Cloud 23 bar the Executive Lounge. The latter can only be accessed when staying in one of the Executive rooms from the 17th to 22nd floors. The glass walled swimming pool towers above the city below, and is adjacent to a hot tub, steam room and sauna. Afternoon tea at the Cloud 23 Bar is an absolute must. The Hilton Manchester Deansgate is also a great choice for exploring all of Manchester’s cultural sites with the beautiful Castlefield neighbourhood and HOME Arts Venue just a quick walk away.
13. Best football hotel
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: From £80.
Address: 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester, United Kingdom, M16 0SZ
Why we love it: This Tribute Portfolio Hotel is located opposite Old Trafford Football Stadium so is perfect if – yep, you guessed it – you're heading to catch a game of footie with your besties or the fam. It's conveniently close to the city centre and just a few miles from the Opera House and Manchester Airport. Plus, parking is only £10 per night and each room comes with a 40-inch plasma TV including all of the Sky Sports channels. Dream accommodation for Manchester United fans.
14. Best hotel for going to a concert
Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel
Spa: No
Pool: No
Price per night: From £100.
Address: Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Why we love it: The Marriott V&A Hotel is slap bang in the city centre, just a 10 minute taxi journey to Old Trafford or Manchester Arena. Within walking distance are the extensive shops, bars and restaurants of Deansgate, but the hotel's restaurant, Chop & Plant, is also worth checking out for high-quality chop-house grub and plenty of plant-based options. The hotel itself is housed in a converted 19th century warehouse with original characteristics such as wooden beams and exposed brick walls. Some of the 148 rooms have views of the River Irwell.
