Where to Stay in Manchester, UK

Our Favorite Manchester Hotels

For families: The InterContinental hotel
• 4-star: Yotel
• 3-star: Ainscow
• For couples: Gotham
• For Families: The Clocktower
• Best Pool: Hilton Deansgate
• Deansgate Station: Hilton Deansgate
• Manchester Victoria Station: Indigo
• Old Trafford Stadium: Football

Surrounded by the River Irwell and cut across by the Rochdale Canal, England`s third largest city is a gritty charmer. Spending a few days here among locals known as Mancunians and you`ll come to appreciate why they are fond of this lively northern powerhouse. Manchester became the focal point of the Industrial Revolution in the latter half of the 18th century, when its steam-powered cotton mills made it a hub of England`s textile industry and the city grew larger and wealthier. While manufacturing declined in the 20th century, Manchester has since rebounded. Its football clubs are second to none and after the city`s musical renaissance in the 1990s, it cemented its place as a giant in the music industry. Manchester`s impressive cultural heritage, superb museums, and edgy dining and nightlife scene will make you wish you could linger longer.

Many of the best hotels in Manchester – ranging from 5-star iconic properties to quirky boutique accommodations – are scattered throughout the City Centre, with additional boutique selections found in the Northern Quarter and Gay Village neighborhoods, while farther outside the core areas, you’ll find more generic chain hotels in Salford and low-key choices in Chorlton, Didsbury and Castlefield. Manchester covers a large area – approximately the size of Phoenix, Arizona – however despite its scale, its central neighborhoods remain very walkable, and there are good public transportation connections to more distant neighborhoods.

Manchester Neighborhoods

Your first port of call is likely to be the very walkable City Centre – Manchester’s most central neighborhood, surrounded to the south by Deansgate and to the north by Manchester Victoria – the city’s two main train stations. Here you’ll find the city’s best shopping options, varied dining experiences, some excellent bars, and the city’s financial district, as well as a couple of attractions.

Located between the City Centre to the west and Gay Village to the east, the area known as Chinatown consists of a tight grid of streets, dotted with excellent Chinese restaurants. It’s the UK’s second-largest Chinese community hub, and its food markets are enjoyable places to browse. While short on accommodations, Chinatown is home to a superb art gallery and bursts with vivid colors during Chinese New Year displays in January or February.

Squeezed between Chinatown and the Rochdale Canal, the compact Gay Village neighborhood of Manchester is a vibrant LGBTQ locale, dotted with trendy cafes and restaurants and renowned for its nightlife. It also plays host to various local festivals, with Manchester Pride as the most popular.

Northeast of the City Centre, the Northern Quarter is a lively neighborhood with a distinctly hometown character, renowned for its nighttime, live music, independent retailers, and locally-made outfits. It’s adjacent to Ancoats, once the industrial heart of Manchester during Manchester`s era known as ‘Cottonopolis’. A zone undergoing gentrification, its former cotton mills have been redesigned as breweries and dining destinations.

Situated by the Bridgewater Canal south of Manchester City Centre and a brief walk from Deansgate station, Castlefield combines natural spaces, arts centers, and canal-edge bars, and is additionally home to one of Manchester’s best exhibitions. There are few lodgings here but plenty of dining selections.

If one follows the Bridgewater Canal towpath traveling southwest from Castlefield and then changes to the Manchester Ship Canal towpath, they will eventually discover themselves at Salford Quays – formerly functioning as the city’s shipping center and now home to an award-winning museum and a cluster of TV show-based attractions. There is a handful of dining establishments in this area, as well as many activities for those interested in football (soccer) or cricket located nearby at Old Trafford.

South of Central Manchester and Old Trafford, Chorlton-cum-Hardy (or just ‘Chorlton’ briefly) is a fashionable residential area with good public transportation links to the city center. There are plenty of green spaces here, a scattering of dining selections and health food stores, and a distinct local feel, showcased in neighborhood festivals.

Didsbury, southeast of Chorlton, is another affluent and spread out suburban residential region that’s well linked to the City Centre via transit. In addition to the botanical garden, its low-key attractions include the highest concentration of preserved historical properties in Manchester and a popular annual arts festival.

The Best Places To Stay in Manchester

• Best Luxury Hotels in Manchester
  Hotel Gotham • The Lowry Hotel • The Edwardian Manchester • The Midland
• Best Boutique Hotels in Manchester
  YOTEL Manchester Deansgate • DogHouse Manchester Hotel • Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
• Best Cheap and Midrange Hotels in Manchester
  Ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel • Whitworth Locke • Ainscow Hotel

The best areas in Manchester for…

• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for Sightseeing: City Centre, Salford Quays, Castlefield, Didsbury
  The paragraph details some of the most notable attractions in Manchester for those interested in sightseeing, including educational and historical sites. The Science and Industry Museum and reconstructed Roman fort in Castlefield offer insights into the area`s past. Nearby, the contemporary art gallery and world`s oldest railway station can be explored. The city center hosts the Manchester Art Gallery, cathedral, and National Football Museum. An additional branch of the Imperial War Museum detailing military history is found in Salford Quays. Didsbury village south of the city is praised for its preserved architectural heritage and importance to the women`s suffrage movement, such as the residence of activist Emmeline Pankhurst
• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for Nightlife: Northern Quarter, City Centre, Ancoats, Gay Village
  The City Centre has numerous centuries-old, distinctive pubs along Great Bridgewater Street, in addition to more modern cocktail bars located off Bridge Street, King Street, and Deansgate. The Northern Quarter is particularly well-suited for intimate live music venues, and has a dense concentration of bars appealing to most tastes along Thomas Street. Nearby in Ancoats, look out for former cotton mills redeveloped into beer breweries, while the Gay Village is renowned for its lively LGBTQ bars situated along the canal and the parallel Richmond Street.”
• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for Food and Restaurants: City Centre, Chinatown, Northern Quarter, Gay Village
  There is no shortage of quality eating establishments in Manchester, and four neighborhoods in particular stand out for their culinary offerings. Chinatown has a large concentration not just of Chinese restaurants but Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese food as well. The small streets off Deansgate in the City Centre feature some of Manchester’s notable restaurants, such as Fazenda,Hawksmoor,Tattu Restaurant and Adam Reid at The French. Northern Quarter covers all types of global cuisines, from Yard & Coop (with a focus on fried chicken) to Turtle Bay (Caribbean) and This & That (Indian). In Gay Village, try The Molly House (tapas bar and tearoom).
• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for Families: Didsbury, Salford Quays, Castlefield
  If you’re searching for a peaceful locale to stay with your loved ones while still being within easy access of Manchester’s attractions, both Salford Quays or Didsbury represent good options. Salford Quays is preferable for families with older children, with reliable chain hotels, casual eateries, and proximity to the Imperial War Museum with some kid-friendly exhibitions and touring or watching a game at the Manchester United football stadium. Castlefield is readily walkable from the dining and attractions in central Manchester but is much quieter at night and features the excellent Science and Industry Museum that showcases the city’s history and legacy via child-friendly displays; the lone drawback is that there are few accommodations there. Didsbury is best for families with young children, since there are numerous parks for them to play, and affordable lodging, though dining choices are somewhat limited.
• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for First-Time Visitors to Stay: Northern Quarter, City Centre, Gay Village
  If it’s your first time in Manchester, and especially if your vacation time is limited, it’s hard to go wrong with any of these neighborhoods. It depends what’s a deal breaker for you: the Northern Quarter is particularly good for the local music scene that Manchester is justifiably famous for and next door to Ancoats, where you can check out the remnants of Manchester’s industrial heritage; the City Centre is walkable to many top sights, including those in adjacent Castlefield, whereas Gay Village is ideal if you’re a member of the LGBTQ community and want to be within easy walking distance of attractions in central Manchester, as well as enjoy a lively nightlife.
• Most Romantic Neighborhoods in Manchester: Didsbury, Castlefield, Gay Village
  “Romantic” may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about Manchester. But there is something special about strolling hand in hand with your sweetheart along Rochdale Canal in Gay Village or the Bridgewater Canal in Castlefield. Taking your other half on a picnic in the botanical garden in Didsbury in late spring, when the flowers are in full bloom, can be pretty romantic too.
• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for a Local Vibe: Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Chorlton, Castlefield
  Each of these neighborhoods displays a unique character. Ancoats and Castlefield specifically hold great interest for those hoping to delve deeper into Manchester`s historical and industrial origins. The Northern Quarter represents Manchester`s most creative district, with a concentrated collection of independent retailers, record shops, and trendsetting restaurants. And if one prefers mingling with locals in an upcoming residential area entirely off the well-trodden routes, Chorlton to the south provides the ideal setting.
• Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for Walking: City Centre, Castlefield, Northern Quarter, Salford Quays, Ancoats
  Much of Manchester is navigable on foot, with the heart of the city created from compact neighborhoods that are effortless to explore walking. It’s difficult to defeat the Salford Quays, Castlefield, and Ancoats for views alongside waterways and the industrial vibes that the city is renowned for; in Ancoats in particular you are able to wander past redeveloped cotton mills. In the Northern Quarter, strolling the streets takes you past records shops and independent boutiques, while in the City Centre there are many finds to be made in the small lanes off the main Deansgate thoroughfare. It’s also well worth walking along the towpath that runs parallel to the Rochdale Canal; during the city’s industrial heydays, barges would transport the cotton from Ancoats’ cotton mills to the Salford Quays along this waterway.
• Safest Areas of Manchester
  In spite of its gritty reputation, Manchester is generally a safe city. All neighborhoods frequented by visitors are safe to walk around at most times of day, with Didsbury and Chorlton being the quietest. At night, it’s wise to stick to well-lit areas and avoid shortcuts through deserted streets. Alcohol-fueled revelry in the city’s nightspots, such as the Northern Quarter and City Centre occasionally result in fights breaking out.
• Unsafe Areas of Manchester
  Manchester’s unsafe neighborhoods are predominantly residential zones located further south of the city center. These include Moss Side, Hulme, and Longside, and visitors have little reason to visit there. Be wary of pickpockets in busy areas like around the train stations in the city center.

The 8 Best Neighborhoods in Manchester for Tourists

1. Manchester City Centre

Situated amid two significant railway stations (Manchester Victoria and Deansgate), the heart of the city is bisected by the busy Deansgate roadway. Towards the northern ending of Deansgate you’ll discover many shopping complexes, the Manchester Cathedral, and the National Football Museum, as well as centuries-old conventional pubs such as The Old Wellington. If you’re searching to catch a tram to a nearby neighborhood, Exchange Square is the busiest tram hub in town, while across the street there’s the Manchester Corn Exchange, home to an upscale food court. As you wander around, look out for such heritage buildings as the iconic Town Hall, The Bridgewater Hall, and St Peter’s Square. You’ll find numerous eateries showcasing all types of global cuisines in the streets off Deansgate, the famous People’s History Museum that advocates the story of working people on the bank of the River Irwell, and the Manchester Opera House towards the southern ending of Deansgate. In December, Manchester’s Christmas markets take over the central streets.

• Best Hotels in Manchester City Centre
  The Lowry Hotel • Hotel phone: +44 161 827 4000
  Galaxy Suites can be reached at +66 33 042 111
  The Midland • Hotel phone: +44 161 236 3333
  B&B Trastevere’s Friends – Hotel phone: +39 06 9357 7587
  DogHouse Manchester Inn • Hotel phone: +44 161 467 1003
  Roomzzz Manchester Victoria • Hotel contact: +44 161 870 1300
  Hilton Manchester Deansgate • Hotel phone: +44 161 870 1600
  The Edwardian Manchester – Hotel phone: +44 161 835 9929
• Best Midrange Hotels
  YOTEL Manchester Deansgate • Hotel phone: +44 161 511 5060
  That establishment • Hotel contact number: +44 161 823 0530

2. Chinatown

Situated within a tight area, Manchester`s Chinatown greets visitors with its beautifully decorated archway on Faulkner Street, a gift from Beijing. This neighborhood is quite confined; unless planning to attend the Chinese New Year festivities in January or February, there are two reasons to venture here: dining and exploring the excellent Manchester Art Gallery. The gallery showcases art across six centuries, while the dining choices span from Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine to Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese fare.

• Best Hotels in Manchester Chinatown
  Roomzzz Manchester City • Hotel phone: +44 161 236 2121
  The Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre can be reached at +44 161 433 7580

3. Gay Village

Positioned around the pedestrian Canal Street (where the city`s yearly Pride parade takes place in August), this lively, tightly packed LGBTQ+ neighborhood is liberally sprinkled with cafes, eateries serving global cuisine, and symbolic gay bars, like G-A-Y Manchester. There are also some wonderful vintage pubs along neighboring Great Bridgewater Street, such as The Peveril of the Peak and The Briton’s Protection. Neighborhood attractions involve the nearby Piccadilly Gardens street food market (Wednesday to Sunday), impartial vinyl shops, and the memorial to Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician who broken down the Germans’ Enigma code during WWII. Just across the canal you’ll uncover the Manchester Picadilly train station, near which you can hit the upmarket department shops for some retail therapy.

• Best Hotels in Gay Village
  The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel located in Manchester. Hotel phone: +44 161 288 1111
  The Alan Manchester – Hotel contact number: +44 161 236 8999
• Best Midrange Hotel
  Motel One Manchester – St Peter’s Square • Hotel phone number: +44 161 528 2400
  Ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel – Hotel phone: +44 161 246 3400

4. Northern Quarter & Ancoats

The hotels LaLiBay Resort & Spa,Rastoni Hotel,Nikolaou Residence,Aeginitikon Arhontikon, and Apollo Resort are some options to consider

• Best Hotels in the Northern Quarter & Ancoats
  altana.gr” “• Check costs for Iria Beach Art Hotel

  The Dakota hotel could be contacted by phone at +44 161 674 9180.

• Best Midrange Hotel
  Travelodge Manchester Picadilly • Hotel contact number: +44 871 984 6513

5. Castlefield

Just south of Deansgate in the City Centre, Castlefield is Manchester’s earliest neighborhood, as shown by the partly rebuilt remains of Mamucium, a Roman fortress that gave the city its name. Several attractive parks put the ‘field’ in ‘Castlefield’, while remnants of Manchester’s industrial past include the Manchester Ship Canal, once used transport cotton to Liverpool, and from where you can now take boat trips of the city. Attractions involve the family-friendly Museum of Science and Industry, the Manchester Liverpool Road railway station nextdoor (the oldest surviving railway station in the world), and the Castlefield Bowl – a accepted position for music shows. Castelfield is divided by Liverpool Road, where you’ll find a agreeable focus of restaurants.

• Best Hotels in Castlefield
  A historic Manchester hotel • Hotel phone: +44 161 832 7073
• Best Budget Hotel
  The YHA Manchester Hostel can be contacted by phone at +44 345 371 9647

6. Salford Quays & Old Trafford

Crowded with sightseers by day but peaceful at night, the Salford Quays docklands were one of the busiest parts of the city during Manchster’s industrial prime. Now they are home to the award-winning Imperial War Museum, as well as Media City, where you can tour the BBC studios or the set of hugely popular soap opera Coronation Street. The docks are easily reachable via tram from the City Centre, as is Old Trafford, just south of the Manchester Ship Canal. If you’re a fan of British sports, don’t miss a game of cricket at the namesake Old Trafford Cricket Ground, or a tour of the Manchester United Museum and Stadium, home to one of England’s most successful football (soccer) teams.

• Top-rated Hotels in Salford Quays & Old Trafford
  The Hotel Football Old Trafford, located at Hotel phone: +44 161 751 0430
  ., is a lodging option in Manchester Holiday Inn Manchester Mediacity UK • Hotel phone: +44 161 813 1040
• Best Midrange Hotel
  Malmaison Manchester – Hotel contact number: +44 161 641 1883

7. Didsbury

This centuries-old village, now a peaceful, affluent suburban area approximately four miles to the south of Manchester City Centre, is known as Didsbury. It is popular with families and younger professionals and provides a suitable place to stay if you`re looking to escape from the bustling atmosphere of the city after a day spent sightseeing. Didsbury has a more spread out layout compared to central neighborhoods and contains various green spaces such as Mary Louise Gardens and Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, while its historic buildings attract architecture enthusiasts. It`s in close proximity to the airport and well-connected to the heart of Manchester by train and tram. Additionally, a few casual dining options line its main street, rendering it a suitable brief stopover choice.

• Best Hotels in Didsbury
• Recommended Accommodation: Caravella Luxury Apartments

Premier Inn Manchester – Hotel contact number: +44 333 321 1296

8. Chorlton

West of Didsbury and south of the City Centre, Chorlton is yet another centuries-old village that’s now been incorporated into the larger city. In this area you’ll find Manchester’s biggest green spaces – parks and golf courses – as well as a relaxed vibe. Residential living dominates the neighborhood, but it’s an emerging place attracting creative types; on the third Saturday of each month, they showcase their art, design and more at the local Maker’s Market. Good public transportation connections link it to central Manchester.

• Best Hotels in Chorlton
  The Spread Eagle – Hotel contact number: +44 161 861 0385
  The Bowling Green hotel can be reached at +44 161 860 2800.