Manchester
Where to stay in Manchester: the best areas and hotels
A rooftop pool over King Street, coffee bars in the Northern Quarter or a view straight into Old Trafford. Where you stay in Manchester depends on whether you come for football, the Christmas markets or the city. Here are the areas and hotels we recommend.
Manchester is a compact city. From Piccadilly station to Deansgate is a half-hour walk, and the tram takes you to both stadiums in no time. Still, where you stay matters: in the Northern Quarter you wake to coffee bars and record shops, in Spinningfields to glass towers and cocktail bars, and by Old Trafford to a view straight into the stadium.
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Short answer: where should you stay in Manchester?
First visit: around St Ann’s Square and King Street, in the heart of the centre.
For nightlife and coffee bars: the Northern Quarter.
For a United match: Old Trafford, right by the stadium.
Affordable and practical: by Piccadilly station.
Our three favourites
Luxury in the centre: King Street Townhouse, with a rooftop pool. See rooms at King Street Townhouse
For football fans: Hotel Football, right by Old Trafford. See rooms at Hotel Football
Affordable by the station: Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly. See rooms at Motel One
The centre: King Street and St Ann’s Square
Here are the elegant shopping streets, the old bank buildings and some of the city’s best hotels. Everything is within walking distance, and in December the Christmas markets are right outside your door.
King Street Townhouse: a rooftop pool over the city
A small luxury hotel in a Victorian bank building, with a rooftop pool looking towards the Town Hall.
Book your stay: See rooms at King Street Townhouse
Stock Exchange Hotel: in the old exchange
An elegant hotel in Manchester’s former stock exchange building, with a restaurant and bar.
Book your stay: See rooms at Stock Exchange Hotel
The Rex: art deco on King Street
Formerly Hotel Gotham, in an art deco building with a rooftop bar.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Rex
Castlefield, a short walk from Deansgate.
St Peter’s Square and Spinningfields
Around the new square by the Town Hall and the Spinningfields district are modern hotels, restaurants and cocktail bars. From here the tram runs directly to both Old Trafford and the Etihad.
The Edwardian Manchester: behind the old facade
A luxury hotel behind the facade of the historic Free Trade Hall, on St Peter’s Square.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Edwardian Manchester
Hilton Manchester Deansgate: in the city’s tallest tower
The hotel is in the Beetham Tower, with a bar high above the city.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hilton Manchester Deansgate
The Lowry Hotel: by the river
A luxury hotel on the River Irwell, a short walk to Spinningfields.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Lowry Hotel
Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter
Around the station you stay practically and affordably, and the Northern Quarter next door is the city’s most creative district, with bars, vintage shops and live music.
Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly: affordable design
An affordable design hotel right by the station, with a bar and lounge.
Book your stay: See rooms at Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly
Dakota Manchester: elegant by the station
A stylish hotel with a restaurant and bar, minutes from Piccadilly.
Book your stay: See rooms at Dakota Manchester
Kimpton Clocktower: in a Victorian brick building
A hotel with a clock tower and a vast bar in the old insurance building on Oxford Street.
Book your stay: See rooms at Kimpton Clocktower
Old Trafford on match day.
Old Trafford: stay by the stadium
If you are going to a United match, you can stay right across from the stadium. The area is quiet outside match days, and the tram takes you to the centre in no time.
Hotel Football: right by Old Trafford
The hotel is owned by former Manchester United players, with views of the stadium from several rooms.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Football
Good to know
Book early for match days: City-centre hotels fill up fast when the big clubs play at home.
Use the tram: Metrolink runs to both Old Trafford and the Etihad.
Christmas is busy: Book hotels for November and December well ahead.
Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Manchester
Where should you stay in Manchester on a first visit?
In the centre around King Street and St Ann’s Square, with everything within walking distance.
Where to stay near the Etihad Stadium?
Most people stay in the centre and take the tram to the stadium, which takes around a quarter of an hour.
Are there affordable hotels in central Manchester?
Yes, including Motel One by Piccadilly station.