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There are so many hotels in Manchester that it can be hard to pick the best. Many of the city’s oldest hotels come complete with their own back story, too. Take the former Free Trade Hall, built near the site of the Peterloo Massacre and itself the site of an infamous Suffragette protest, which is now the Radisson Edwardian Hotel. This is a building that saw both political reform and musical innovation (it was here, in 1966, that Bob Dylan was heckled as a ‘Judas’ for betraying his folk roots). Another historic hotel nearby is the Midland Hotel, which opened in 1903 as a monument to its owners, the Midland Railway Company. Recognisable by the pink and brown terracotta tiled frontage, the Midland boasts many famous guests: it’s where Charles Rolls met Henry Royce, where Winston Churchill dined and where Laurence Olivier stayed while filming Brideshead Revisited. But don’t get lost in history. To make life easy when it comes to booking, here’s our guide.
Here are our top 5 picks
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1. The Midland Hotel
To enjoy all that Manchester has to offer, stay in the heart of the City at the iconic Midland Hotel. Located within easy walking distance of the main theatres, concert venues, museums and galleries, The Midland is the perfect base for you to explore Manchester’s cultural offering as well as its huge variety of shops, restaurants and nightlife.
– Susie Stubbs
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2. Great John Street Hotel
Tucked away behind Spinningfields and close to the Old Granada Studios, the Great John Street Hotel is located in one of the quieter spots in Manchester. House in a former Victoria school house, the rooms here are beautifully appointed, with four types of suite to choose from. There’s also an oyster bar, library, gym and rooftop lounge to explore.
– Polly Checkland Harding
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3. The Lowry Hotel
Image courtesy of Visit Britain The 5-star Lowry, with its excellent restaurant and celebrity-friendly décor, is one of our favourite luxury hotels. It’s stone’s throw from both the delights of Salford’s indie art scene (such as the King’s Arms pub and Islington Mill) and city centre Manchester. If you’ve got the spare cash, The Lowry is worth a splurge.
– Susie Stubbs
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4. The Palace Hotel
Just opposite Oxford Road Station, the Grade II listed Palace Hotel is one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings, with its Victorian design and distinctive clock tower. Currently being given a multi-million pound facelift, there are 18 new contemporary bedrooms now in place, with a huge new ground floor restaurant from the folks behind Volta set to open later this year.
– Polly Checkland Harding
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5. Radisson Edwardian’s Opus One
Image courtesy of Visit Britain Understated luxury can be found in Manchester’s historic Free Trade Hall, now the Radisson Blu Edwardian. Opposite Manchester Central and the Bridgewater Hall, the Radisson Blu’s frontage is listed; behind are over two hundred rooms, as well as meeting facilities, restaurants and bars.
– Polly Checkland Harding
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