Manchester UK Hotels

Manchester UK

Manchester UK Travel Guide

manchester hotels - hotels in manchester

Manchester is a great multicultural city situated in the northwest of England, which remains a locus stylistically representing industrial influence and none- industrial application of technology and creativity of the present-day world. It is referred to as the ‘Capital of the North’ Manchester has a specialty that is hard to compare with other cities and it has a nice feel that makes it worthy of its heritage of the textile industries, music, and sporting activities. Not just the magnificent Manchester Cathedral, but sensitizing gates like the Northern Quarter music scene, an irresistible cuisine like the kind you will find in Manchester, and other evenly smart dining places, there are architectural marvels like international grade museums to name but a few. In addition, Manchester has a feeling of being the epitome of the England we know and love; the kindliness and embrace one is accorded make the city an ideal place as it denotes the discovery of a better England. However, before staying in one of the hotels in Manchester, it’s always better to know more of the city. That’s why we prepared this quick Manchester guide for you. Without more hassle, let’s start right away!

 

Things to Know Before Going to Manchester

  • The Manchester United Stadium Tour and Museum are must-visits for any football fan.
  • For a unique pre-game experience, head to The Trafford, a local pub that fills up about 4 hours before a match.
  • Metrolink (tram) is the easiest way to get around but there can be delays and consider purchasing a day tram ticket.
  • Hawksmoor for steak, Erst for wine and small bites, Kala for elevated British cuisine, and Barber for a variety of dining options.
  • Be prepared for higher prices than expected, especially for food and transportation.
  • Manchester is generally easy to navigate, with many signs and directions.
  • It rains in Manchester a lot, so bring an umbrella.
  • Avoid travel on Ordsall Lane or other main roads on match days.
  • Northern Quarter has a lot of interesting shops, “trendy” cafes and bars, as well as some street art.
  • The tall building is called Beetham Tower and is the tallest building in Manchester currently.
  • Market Street is always busy and full of street performers.
  • Manchester is something of a student city so there is good nightlife and good study facilities.
  • If you're looking for scenic areas to visit, most areas of Cheshire are very peaceful.
  • ‘Media City' is the area of Salford Quays where the ITV and BBC studios are located.
  • Most locals are friendly, you can ask them for some directions if you are lost.
  • Manchester's laid-back lifestyle fosters friendliness and approachability, setting it apart from the fast-paced life in London.

 

Where is Manchester?

Manchester is located in the northwest of England, approximately 160 miles northwest of London. It is situated in a bowl-shaped land area bordered by the Pennines to the north and east, the Cheshire Plain to the south, and the River Mersey to the west. From the city, you can travel

 

Where to Stay in Manchester?

Here’s a quick table of which areas in Manchester are great for tourists:

District

Best For

Best Attractions

Average Trip Cost

City Centre

Convenience

Nightlife

Shopping

Manchester Museum

Manchester Art Gallery

National Football Museum

£80-£120 per night
Castlefield

History

Culture

Food

Castlefield Urban Heritage Park

John Rylands Library

People's History Museum

£60-£100 per night
Trafford

Family

Entertainment

Sports

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Old Trafford Stadium

Trafford Centre

£50-£90 per night
Salford

Art

Culture

History

Salford Museum and Art Gallery

The Lowry

Imperial War Museum North

£40-£80 per night

 

Best Hotels in Manchester 

Manchester hotels offer a blend of luxury and convenience, providing exceptional services and amenities for your trip to be more comfortable. Even though luxury hotels in Manchester may make you break the bank, they will be worth every penny thanks to their services. However, there are always mid-range and budget hotels in Manchester to enhance your days and make your city tour seamless. Tailored for everyone, finding what kind of accommodation you want won’t be as hard as you think. Now, here are some of the best hotels in Manchester we recommend and why:

Hotel

District

Affordability

Why To Stay There?

Lowry HotelRiver IrwellLuxuryElegant design, stunning city views, spa and fitness center, fine dining restaurant.
Hotel GothamArt Deco BuildingLuxuryUnique and luxurious atmosphere, individually designed rooms, rooftop bar, luxurious amenities.
Motel One Manchester-Royal ExchangeCentral Retail DistrictLuxuryStylish public areas, simple but well-equipped rooms, fixed rates, modern amenities.
INNSIDE ManchesterFirst StreetLuxuryDesign-led rooms, open-plan bathrooms, resident DJ at breakfast, modern amenities.
The Cow Hollow HotelNorthern QuarterLuxuryAffordable luxury, high-end details, continental breakfast bag, modern amenities.
Best Western Plus Executive Court Inn & Conference CenterAirportLuxuryComfortable rooms, conference facilities, airport shuttle, modern amenities.
Novotel Manchester CentreCity CentreMid-rangeFamily-friendly, comfortable rooms, close to attractions, modern amenities.
Roomzzz Manchester CityCity CentreMid-rangeChic home comforts, modern amenities, affordable rates, close to attractions.
Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Emirates Old TraffordEmirates Old TraffordMid-rangeSports fan-friendly, comfortable rooms, great views, modern amenities.
Staycity Apartments Manchester PiccadillyPiccadillyMid-rangeGreat for groups, modern apartments, close to train station, modern amenities.
ibis Styles Manchester PortlandPortlandMid-rangeFun atmosphere, modern rooms, close to attractions, modern amenities.
Le Ville HotelCanal StreetBudgetAffordable rates, comfortable rooms, close to nightlife, modern amenities.
The Abel HeywoodNorthern QuarterBudgetTrendy rooms, pub atmosphere, close to bars and restaurants, modern amenities.
Holiday Inn Express Manchester City CentreCity CentreBudgetBudget-friendly, modern rooms, close to attractions, modern amenities.
Travelodge Manchester CentralCity CentreBudgetAffordable rates, simple rooms, close to train station, modern amenities.
Premier Inn Manchester City CentreCity CentreBudgetBudget-friendly, comfortable rooms, close to attractions, modern amenities.

Man or mad, it doesn’t matter as long as you have fun! Discover all the cheap hotels in Manchester UK to join the party and don’t forget to ask for a bottle of water!

 

Best Manchester Attractions

  • Manchester Museum: Explore the history of Manchester and its people through various exhibits and artifacts.
  • The Whitworth Manchester: A fine art museum featuring a diverse collection of art and design from around the world.
  • Castlefield Urban Heritage Park: A historic area with preserved Roman fortifications, canals, and restored Victorian homes.
  • Imperial War Museum North: A museum showcasing the history of British conflicts from 1914 to the present day, with a focus on the North of England.
  • People's History Museum: A museum dedicated to the history of democracy, equality, and social justice movements in Britain.
  • Manchester Art Gallery: A world-class art gallery featuring nearly 13,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and other artworks.
  • National Football Museum: A museum celebrating the history and culture of football in England.
  • Ancoats: A historic neighborhood with a mix of old and new architecture, known for its vibrant atmosphere and food scene.
  • Greater Manchester Police Museum: A museum offering a glimpse into the history of policing in Manchester, with a replica court and artifacts on display.

 

Is Manchester Safe for Tourists?

Manchester is safe for tourists, although common sense precautions should be followed wherever a person may be in a rather big city. However, just like any other city, Manchester also has its cases of crime, though these are not frequent cases of different crimes. Most frequent crimes that occur there include pickpocketing especially if the place is crowded. Violent crime is generally low and even if it occurred it would not in any way harm the tourists.

Places that are safe to visit are the city center, Northern Quarter, and Deansgate among others. To reduce your vulnerability to crime, it is advisable to not wander around areas that are secluded especially at night, not carry large amounts of cash and other valuables, hire registered taxis, and stay alert and informed by checking on any travel warnings.

 

Is Manchester Expensive to Visit?

The cost of visiting Manchester can vary widely. Budget hotels or hostels can be found for around £30-£50 per night, while mid-range hotels typically cost between £70-£150 per night. Luxury hotels can go up to £200 or more per night. Dining in Manchester offers a range of options. Budget meals can cost as low as £10-£15, while mid-range restaurants might charge £20-£40 per person. High-end dining can exceed £50 per person. Public transportation in Manchester is reasonably priced. A single journey on a bus or tram costs around £2-£3, and day passes are available for £5-£7. Taxis and rideshares are more expensive but offer convenience. Many museums and galleries in Manchester offer free entry. However, for paid attractions, expect to spend between £10-£20 per ticket. Entertainment like theatre shows or concerts can range from £20-£100.

 

Currency & Exchange in Manchester

The official currency in Manchester is British Pound Sterling (£), which is also used across the United Kingdom. It can be exchanged at banks, in some hotels, and at exchange bureaus such as those belonging to foreign exchange services. One should get to change his or her money at places that are trusted since this will mean getting the best rate.

Manchester is one of the cities where credit and debit cards are accepted and embraced by most of the merchants. There are no shortage of ATMs but one must inquire at the respective bank to do so internationally for the charges that may apply.

 

Spoken Languages in Manchester

The official language of the United Kingdom is English, and thus, it is widely spoken in Manchester too. The city is multicultural therefore people of different origins and fluent in different languages can be found in Manchester. Some of the local languages of the people include Urdu, Arabic, Polish, Chinese, and so on due to the population from different nations and cultures.

 

How Many Days Are Enough to Visit Manchester?

Generally, 3 days of staying in Manchester is enough to visit the main highlights of the city. However, if you’d like to stay more, there’s always something new waiting for you within each corner of the city. Here’s the short summary of how many days are enough to visit Manchester:

  • 2-3 Days: This is probably enough time to visit the most major places of interest in Manchester, including such landmarks as the John Rylands Library, Quarry Bank Mill, and the Manchester Art Gallery. There is also the chance to continue the walk in the Northern Quarter and have a good time in the city’s nightlife areas.
  • 4-5 Days: If you wish, you can extend your tour and go to other museums, for instance, the Science and Industry Museum and the Natural History Museum. 
  • More Than 5 Days: If you have one week or more, it will be better to move around, visit other cities like Liverpool or Leeds.

 

When is the Best Time to Stay in Manchester?

In general, tourists should select the time they will visit Manchester based on certain factors such as their likes and dislikes.

For music lovers, Manchester is an excellent place to visit any time of the year as the city continues to host notable music events at its available features like, AO Arena, O2 Ritz, Victoria Warehouse among others.

For festivals, the major among them is the Manchester International Festival held in July; Manchester Pride Festival, and Parklife Festival in August.

Spring and fall when everything is not too hot and not too cold for tourists to enjoy the many museums and attractions. 

Manchester is also interesting for sports spectators with two football teams playing in the Premier League for football from August to May.

Seasonal Overview of Manchester

 

Summer

Spring

Fall

Winter

Temperature (°C/°F)

15-20°C

59-68°F

10-15°C

50-59°F

10-15°C

50-59°F

0-5°C

32-41°F

Activities

Festivals

outdoor events

Blossoming parks

mild weather

Cultural events

harvest festivals

Christmas markets

indoor activities

RatesHigher ratesModerate ratesModerate ratesLower rates
CrowdCrowdedModerateModerateFewer Crowds
Clothing

Light layers

Comfortable shoes

Light jacket

Layers

Light jacket

Layers

Warm clothing

Waterproofs

 

What to Pack for Manchester Trip?

For a trip to Manchester, UK, here are some essential items to pack:

  • Clothing
    • Footless tights
    • Light & waterproof layers
    • Comfortable shoes 
    • Casual and evening Attire
  • Accessories
    • Scarf and a beanie for warmness
    • A denim jacket
    • Undergarments and socks
    • Toiletries
    • A travel charger

 

What to Eat in Manchester?

Manchester UK has numerous foods for its visitors to try. Tailored for everyone, you can find countless flavors to make your palate cherish in delight. Here are some of the best foods to eat in Manchester UK:

  • Manchester Tart: A traditional English baked tart consisting of a shortcrust pastry shell, raspberry jam, custard filling, and topped with coconut.
  • Black Pudding: A type of blood sausage originating from the United Kingdom.
  • Eccles Cake: A small, round cake filled with currants and made from flaky pastry.
  • Barm Cake: A soft, round bread roll typically used for sandwiches.
  • Fish and Chips: A classic British dish available at many chippies in Manchester.
  • Hotpot: A traditional Lancashire stew made with lamb or beef, onions, and potatoes.

 

Manchester Nightlife

As for nightlife, Manchester can indeed offer a lot as far as it is packed with literally hundreds of clubs, clubs, and bars of all types and with all sorts of music, which will meet any liking. Out of all, there are two of the most popular destinations at Manchester namely the Northern Quarter and Oxford Road.

Currently, various bands in Manchester play different tunes such as rap, electronic, pop, indie, jazz, and funk among very many other bands which have small and large groups. For a more vivid atmosphere on Sunday evening, the Ramona on Swan Street and Yes on Charles Street are actually more popular places that are visited. However, there are several other small bars that are not very popular for parties such as The Eagle Inn, Derby Brewery Arms Eastern Bloc.

Because of the high cost that was incurred in acquiring venues at the center of town, fewer big events and nights were observed and more nights were spent drinking in pubs and mini clubs. This change has been met with mixed reactions: as much as there are people who are okay with this new social culture as it is, so also there are similar numbers of people who would want to have the disco clubs as they used to be.

Manchester UK City Center