The renaissance of Manchester in the 21st Century as a destination for tourists and visitors has been a huge success for the city in many different ways. It has boosted the overall desirability for emerging businesses looking for a home, created hundreds of new opportunities for curated breaks and holidays, and made Manchester a hotspot for global events. The recent Metiers D’Art show from Chanel in December 2023 is perhaps the best example of how the city’s vibrant energy is being embraced by some incredibly impressive cultural heavyweights.
Chanel chose the cobbled streets of Manchester’s Northern Quarter to showcase their new collection in breathtakingly unique scenery, with a dash of the familiar rain falling to add authenticity. The biggest names in fashion, music, film, and art have all found themselves drawn to this part of North West England for their projects and while they are here, they want to get the most from the thriving hotels, bars, and restaurants that it has to offer.
Luxury Hotels in Manchester
The best hotels in Manchester have always made an impressive list throughout the last two hundred years. With some stunning architecture that celebrates the history of the world’s first industrialised city and connections to the cultural evolution of the country, there is a lot of choice for the discerning visitor. Luxury accommodation is never far away for those who would like to enjoy their visit in style too. Let’s take a look at our guide to the most expensive hotels in Manchester.
Stock Exchange Hotel
This marvellous building right in the heart of Manchester city centre remains a perfect example of how to sympathetically restore and maintain Edwardian Baroque architecture in the modern age. This was previously the home of Manchester’s own Stock Exchange and the features and details of marble, brass, and intricate woodwork that represent the wealth and riches that would once flow here. Forty rooms and a collection of stunning signature suites are available each with their own theme and sense of place connected to the city. The luxurious House that occupies the entire top floor is a serviced home for your stay with a 346 square metre open-plan penthouse, complete with its own bar, kitchen, three king-sized bedrooms, and an immaculately designed dining room. The House terrace also offers unmatched views of Manchester cityscape skyline to watch the sunset with a drink in hand. Prices for the House are available by contacting the team at Stock Exchange directly with a waiting list for long-term residency.
The Lowry Hotel
The Lowry Hotel has long been the hotel of choice for the well-heeled visitor to Manchester with a number of celebrity patrons returning time after time when visiting the city. The football manager, Jose Mourinho, famously made this place his home for almost 900 days as he managed Manchester United, racking up an impressive bill close to £1 Million for his time there. Named after the brilliant impressionist painter L.S Lowry, who captured the industrial life of the city and its residents in a unique way, the hotel seeks to do things in a similarly unique and individual manner. It is often host to some fantastic art events and exhibitions with the artwork in the rooms expressing the energy of Manchester in a wonderful way. An Elemis Spa, relaxation areas, and a sauna attend to everything required after a day shopping and sightseeing, with the on-site hair salon ready to prepare you for an evening in the city. Rooms here will average £400 - £500 per night.
Hotel Gotham
Hotel Gotham has a reputation for being the coolest hotel in all of Manchester and at street level it is easy to understand exactly why. The dominating art deco stone building towers above you at the head of Manchester’s King Street, the go-to location for high-end and luxury fashion retail in the city. Everything about Hotel Gotham is done for a truly experiential stay with an element of theatre to all aspects of your time here. As you may expect from the name there are some subtle nods to the Caped Crusader, but this is all about doing things in real style not in a comic book manner. The dark and moody lighting of the corridors and open areas evoke a 1920s-era city with excitement and intrigue around every corner. Subtle elements such as the Guest Directory taking the form of an old broadsheet newspaper are a great touch. The Honey restaurant at the top of this old banking institution delivers fine cuisine as you watch the city unfold below you through the opulent half-crescent windows. Suites in the Inner Sanctum here average at around £1000 per night.
The Edwardian Manchester
The Edwardian is a Radisson Collection hotel located in a building in the centre of Manchester that is ladened with so much history and so many stories they could fill an entire book. This was the site of the Free Trade Hall which housed speeches from Charles Dickens and Winston Churchill, concerts from Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and a Sex Pistols gig that ignited a punk rock revolution across the whole country. It is now an award-winning five-star destination with a Superbrands Hotel accolade that recognises excellence in the industry. The Peter Street Kitchen restaurant provides contemporary Mexican and Japanese small plates that hold such a high standard that it was awarded the Best Luxury Restaurant award in 2019. With the Library Champagne bar offering a delightful afternoon tea experience and signature cocktails, there is something to attend to your needs at all times of the day too. Average room prices here are £520 per night.
The Manchester hotel scene is gaining more recognition and attracting greater numbers every year. The somewhat limited five-star options that are on offer to the city means there is definitely an air of exclusivity, and bookings should be made plenty of time in advance to prevent disappointment. The hotel experiences in this guide will provide the most appropriate luxury foundation for a visit to a city that is welcoming, warm, and exciting for any traveller.
