Luxury hotels in Manchester: top 10 luxury class places for an English vacation
Manchester, located in the northeastern part of the UK on the River Irwell, is a young and energetic center experiencing a renaissance, which is why the eyes of many travelers from all over the world are on it. The city is also proud of its unique history, including being home to the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. Here you will find cultural centers and sports arenas, live music venues and eclectic restaurants, as well as Victorian pubs and majestic neo-Gothic buildings among modern skyscrapers. The culinary scene is also not far behind, with the first Michelin star finally shining here after more than forty years.
Of course, the city boasts a large selection of accommodation options, which are increasing every year at an incredible rate. Thus, since 2018, more than 2600 new rooms have been added (and that's just in the center!). The following list contains the best hotels in Manchester that deserve the highest marks for service, luxury, and style. All you have to do is choose the one you like best for your next vacation in the UK.
Treehouse Hotel Manchester
In 2023, the city was replenished with many different establishments. Among them, the Treehouse Hotel Manchester, located on Blackfriars Street, just a few steps from the lively city center with cafes, bars, restaurants, and a variety of entertainment options, deserves special attention. With attentive service, numerous amenities, a well-thought-out entertainment program, and a variety of food and beverage options, this is one of the best hotels in Manchester.
The modern complex has 224 cozy rooms and suites in various configurations with colorful decorative elements. For example, you can book a Lookout two queens suite with two queen-size beds and incredible panoramic views from the bedroom and bathroom with a rain shower.
Be sure to visit one of the popular restaurants. For example, on the ground floor, there is an elegant restaurant headed by Mary Ellen McTague, which serves the best British-style breakfasts. On the 14th floor, there is another restaurant specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine with the talented Sam Granger at the helm.
Leven
From the unique attic layout, wooden floors, and Crittall windows to the marble dining tables and deep, elegant Porcelanosa bathtubs, everything about this luxury hotel in Manchester is trendy and sophisticated. Leven is located near Canal Street, demonstrating the principle of "living the dream" in everything. To feel this atmosphere to the fullest, you can book a spacious two-bedroom penthouse suite, where every detail of the interior is thought out.
After dark, most guests head to the bar to order drinks based on Kahlua or The Avalanche. After an aperitif, you can visit the new beer restaurant located on the canal side or the gourmet restaurant from the Petersham Nurseries and Soho House team, headed by Chef Gabe Lee, which serves seasonal European cuisine.
Dakota Manchester
The latest addition from Dakota in Manchester is notable for the fact that the complex combines the characteristic luxury of the brand - charismatic, sophisticated designer interiors with dark and muted shades, high-quality cotton bedding, and powerful rain showers in each of the rooms. Here you will also enjoy excellent cuisine, exquisite service, and a stylish Mad Men-style bar.
Guests can stay in one of 137 rooms. If you want to get the most impressions and amenities, we recommend booking a Grand Suite with a balcony on the eighth floor, two bedrooms with king-size beds, and a cozy living room.
The highlight of this hotel in Manchester is the luxurious Dakota Grill restaurant and bar, where you should definitely try the signature first-class steak, accompanied by perfectly selected natural wine.
Whitworth Locke
The list of top 10 hotels in Manchester includes Whitworth Locke, which reflects the essence of an ideal and stylish city vacation. It has everything for an unforgettable weekend with friends or a warm family vacation: modern design, spacious cozy apartments, green coworking spaces, as well as an outstanding gastronomic scene and plenty of entertainment.
The designer boutique hotel itself occupies a former 19th-century cotton factory, located within walking distance of Chinatown and the northern districts, filled with galleries and other cultural centers. The apartments are decorated in pastel, dark green, and marshmallow pink shades, with kitchens decorated with minimalist Smeg appliances, high-quality custom-made furniture, and bathrooms with Kinsey Apothecary toiletries.
King Street Townhouse
This chic hotel on King Street perfectly demonstrates what exclusivity and discreet luxury look like at their best. King Street Townhouse looks more like a private residence than a hospitality establishment for travelers. The boutique hotel has 40 rooms, each decorated in its own style. King Street Townhouse offers a large number of facilities available to guests, including:
- An exquisite Tavern restaurant, where the cauliflower steak and honey-glazed duck deserve special attention.
- A full-service spa (including ESPA) with a swimming pool on the seventh floor, offering perfect views of the city skyline.
- A private cinema located in the basement.
To get the best experience at this King Street hotel, we recommend booking one of the two one-bedroom suites named after Manchester's Abel Haywood and Alfred Waterhouse. These suites include access to a private swimming pool, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the City Hall clock tower.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
The Kimpton Clocktower's impressive Victorian facade is inspiring, and its extremely central location in the city attracts numerous travelers, as the hotel is just a few steps from Oxford Road train station.
The hotel was designed by Manchester's star architect, Alfred Waterhouse, who managed to preserve many unique elements in perfect condition. The Kimpton Clocktower has 270 rooms and suites, but for maximum comfort, choose a special apartment, where you will find a luxurious Kimpton bed, a record player, and a large collection of vinyl records. Stop by for a gin and tonic in the Winter Garden, a fantastic green greenhouse filled with light, before heading to Refuge for a gourmet dinner.
The hotel often organizes various events, and if you have time, we recommend visiting the latest exhibition at the hotel, which features works by Richard Kelly (Arctic Monkeys photographer) called Time and Place. In particular, you can see some iconic photos of musicians and artists, including Amy Winehouse.
Native
Not just one of the best hotels in Manchester, it's a real community with a cinema, restaurant, bar, shop, fitness center, and a great terrace. It really has everything you need for a perfect vacation, so you'll have to force yourself to leave the walls of the cozy Native. Guests can enjoy not only modern amenities or work in the coworking space but also attend various workshops, art classes, spend time in a small cinema, and then go out for lunch or dinner.
The complex has 162 chicly decorated rooms. The bright lofts above the public space are especially popular, with parquet floors, high ceilings, exposed red brick, deep blue walls, and custom-made furniture in orange and dark brown shades.
The Lowry
Connoisseurs of art and creativity in general are simply obliged to stay in this amazing place at least once. The Lowry is not just a hotel but a true icon of Manchester. The hotel got its name in honor of Lawrence Stephen Lowry, famous for his industrial art, especially his painting "Matchstick Men".
The hotel is located a little further out of town, so you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, immerse yourself in a more relaxed pace, and learn more about the world-famous local artist. Lowry is perfect for both family vacations and romantic getaways. In particular, adults have the opportunity to book treatments at the modern Elemis Spa, and children will be delighted with the free plush toys as a gift.
Once inside the polished building, you will certainly be impressed because every corner of it is filled with art. In particular, Lowry often hosts exhibitions of paintings or photographs. The hotel has an excellent restaurant called River, which serves simple but delicious dishes such as lamb or French onion soup. When it's time for afternoon tea, you can enjoy your favorite English drink while taking in the views of the River Irwell.
"The Edwardian"
For an exquisite and unforgettable vacation, choose The Edwardian. The five-star hotel in Manchester is located in the heart of the city center, occupying the historic Free Trade Hall building, dating back to 1853 and listed as a Grade II listed building. After a thorough renovation, the appearance of the attractive 19th-century façade has remained unchanged, but the 263 rooms have been transformed into a cozy center of luxury living.
As soon as you step inside, you'll be greeted by a color palette that emphasizes the feel of velvet: warm and rich, with natural wood flooring and well-maintained leather sofas. Among the key amenities offered by The Edwardian:
- A spa with a wellness room.
- Fitness room.
- Peter Street Kitchen restaurant, which serves delicious Mexican and Japanese cuisine.
The luxurious spa center deserves special attention. Located in a quiet basement, it also features a 12-meter-long transparent pool, sauna and steam rooms, as well as a shower for an unrivaled experience.
Stock Exchange Hotel
One of the top 10 best hotels in Manchester is located in a grand building dating back to around 1906. The Edwardian-style property (former Manchester Stock Exchange) belongs to the famous English footballer Gary Neville. Inside, guests will find 40 chic rooms, each of which meets the requirements for a high-class city vacation. In particular, the exquisite interiors are complemented by marble floors and columns, as well as luxurious stained glass windows. For those looking for the ultimate in luxury, we recommend booking The House, a three-bedroom penthouse with a private rooftop terrace that you won't want to leave.
Recently, the Stock Exchange Hotel was complemented by the Stock Market Grill beer bar and restaurant. The establishment is headed by Chef Joshua Reed-Keper, offering fine British cuisine. Another place worth a visit is the Speakeasy-style cocktail bar, which serves rare wines and specialty cocktails to order. The elegant restaurant with all its attractive details - high ceilings decorated with gold - always reminds you of the importance of looking up and creates the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner for two. You should definitely order sea trout tartare, wild mushroom tartare, and Scottish scallops. Sweet profiteroles for two will be the perfect culmination of the date.