Heading up north soon and wondering where to stay in Manchester? We are here to help!
Whether you’re visiting for a football match, a hen or stag party or a city break, you’ll find so many things to do in Manchester!
However, finding the best place to stay in Manchester can seem daunting when we don’t know the city’s diverse neighbourhoods.
This ‘where to stay in Manchester’ guide will navigate you through the best areas to stay in Manchester, detailing the charm and characteristics of each.
We’ll also flag areas that might not be ideal for tourists as well and recommend hotels and hostels.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of where to book your stay to make the most of your adventure.
So, ready to decide where to stay in Manchester? Let’s get started!
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Northern Quarter – Best Place to stay in Manchester for Nightlife and Good Vibes
The first area to consider is the Northern Quarter. This is the alternative / hipster district of Manchester.
It’s home to independent pubs, cocktail bars, restaurants nightclubs, vintage stores and delicious street food.
The NQ is also famous for its street art. There are murals everywhere!
The Northern Quarter is by far the most famous neighborhood in Manchester and for good reason, not only is it super cool but it’s also very well located.
It’s between Piccadilly station and Victoria Station. You can access both of them on foot (10 minutes walk) and easily discover all the other neighbourhoods of Manchester (such as Ancoats, the city centre and more)
This is perfect for those looking for a vibrant atmosphere and endless entertainment options.
The only thing to be aware of is that certain streets and squares such as Thomas Street, Tib Street and Steven Square, although great to visit, can be a bit loud at night.
They are well situated but if you have trouble to sleep with noise, avoid these areas.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in the Northern Quarter:
- Abel Heywood Boutique Hotel. This is one of the best boutique hotels in Manchester and the perfect place for people who want an authentic Mancunian hotel. It’s located on Turner Street and is also a pub where you can get local food including a Manchester egg.
- Quay Apartments Manchester. Perfect if you are looking for a beautiful flat with a kitchen and private parking. That way, you can make your own meals which will save you money if you don’t want to eat out all the time. But if you do, there are also plenty of nice restaurants and bars around.
- easyHotel Manchester. This one is ideal if are wondering where to stay in Manchester for on a budget. The easyHotel is nothing par
City Centre ( Piccadilly Area)- Best Place to stay in Manchester for Sightseeing
Second up is the City Centre/Piccadilly area. The city centre is home to most of Manchester’s main attractions, such as the Cathedral, Central Library, Emmeline Pankhurst Statue and the Town Hall.
This is the perfect place to stay in Manchester for sightseeing.
If it is your first time in our beautiful city or if you came to enjoy a city break for the weekend, staying in the city centre is perfect
You can easily get to all the main attractions and will have access to all the shops as well (most of them are located on Market Street and around).
While Piccadilly Gardens itself is not always the nicest of places (let’s be honest), it is unarguably the most central location.
From there, you can also easily walk to the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Oxford Street and easily get to the station, the airport (via public transport) as well as take the tram or bus.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in the city centre:
- BrewDog DogHouse Manchester. Not only is this one of the best places to stay in Manchester but the BrewDog Doghouse is also one of the best themed hotels in Manchester and it’s ideally located on Fountain Street, near Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
- Church Street by Supercity Aparthotels. These are ideal if you’d like to have an entire flat instead of just a hotel room. They are beautifully decorated and boast amazing views of the city centre.
- ibis Styles Manchester Portland. A great option for people on a budget who still want to enjoy an ideal location.
Ancoats – Trendy and Quiet Neighbourhood
While the Northern Quarter has been quite famous for a while now, Ancoats is a more recent nice area of Manchester.
It used to be an industrial area but it has been totally transformed in the past few years with lots of independent shops and restaurants popping up.
It is absolutely gorgeous and not only a good place to stay in Manchester, it’s also a very nice area to live in Manchester.
You won’t find as many famous landmarks as in the city centre but Ancoats is super pretty nonetheless.
It’s clean, quiet, full of amazing restaurants (including the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Manchester) and is a great place to stay for a couple or a family looking for some peace and quiet while still having access to everything.
It’s also a great area for foodies since you’ll find loads of delis, bakeries and independent restaurants.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Ancoats:
- We MCR. A great flat located in the heart of Ancoats. It’s modern and has everything you may need.
- Copper and Blossom. The perfect place if you were looking for a girly place for a hen do in Manchester.
Castlefield – Picturesque and cute area of Manchester
Castlefield is a great area to stay in Manchester for those looking for an authentic experience and trying to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city centre while still being close to everything.
Castlefield is located in Deansgate, very close to the tram and train station.
The area is full of canals, pubs and restaurants. You can go on a lot of canal walks here, enjoy a drink at the terrace of one of the cocktail bars around and even stay in a boat (perfect for people looking for quirky places to stay in Manchester).
If you are visiting in summer, you can also go see a concert at the outdoor venue, Castlefield Bowl.
Castlefield is also home to the Castlefield Viaduct which is a public garden located on a former railway bridge. It’s basically Manchester’s version of the High Line in New York City.
It’s also worth mentioning that Castlefield is often used as a filming location for movies and TV series such as Peaky Blinders.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Castlefield:
- The Vätten Hüs. This stunning boat is perfect if you want a quirky place to stay and enjoy the scenery of the canals.
- Castlefield Hotel. A beautiful 3-star hotel overlooking the Bridgewater Canal with a gym and swimming pool.
- YHA Manchester. This is one of the best hostels in Manchester and such a cool place to stay. It’s located on Potato Wharf which means you can easily explore Castlefield and Deansgate from here.
Spinningfields – Stylish and Modern Neighbourhood
Next on our list is Spinningfields, a high-end, modern district located in the city centre, near Deansgate.
It features lots of international restaurants, fancy bars and brand-new buildings.
It’s the perfect place to stay in Manchester if you are looking for a classy experience.
From there, you can easily reach Deansgate, which is a great place for nightlife, as well as the city centre.
It’s also located near the Museum of Science and Industry, which is a must do in Manchester.
You can also find the Opera House in Spinningfields which is a great place to go see a show. Everyman Cinema (aka the cosiest cinema in town) is also nearby.
Finally, you can find the best rooftop bar in Manchester in Spinningfields, 20 stories. Perfect if you want to get beautiful views of Manchester or have an afternoon tea.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Spinningfields:
- Moxy Manchester City. One of the best 4-star hotels in Manchester. It’s close to the Opera House as well as Deansgate and John Rylands Library.
Deansgate: where to stay in Manchester for nightlife and activities
Deansgate is another nice area on our list of best places to stay in Manchester.
It’s located in the city centre and it is very well connected, with both train and tram stations nearby.
The area is super lively at night (especially around Peter Street) so it’s perfect for those looking for some nightlife in Manchester.
It’s also home to a few of the most famous Manchester attractions, such as John Rylands Library (which is absolutely stunning) and the Great Northern Warehouse which houses fun activity bars such as axe throwing and shuffleboard places.
Deansgate Locks is also located very close by and is known for its bars and lively nightlife. Here you will find famous bar chains such as Revolution as well as a few nightclubs.
It’s also a nice place to go for a drink, especially on a sunny day since you can sit at the terrace of the bar and see the canal. Lock 91 is amazing for that!
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Deansgate:
- Hilton Manchester Deansgate. One of the most iconic in Manchester since it’s set in the Beetham Tower. Expect amazing views, indoor swimming pool and more!
- The Edwardian Manchester. A historical hotel between Deansgate and St Peter Square, set in the stunning Free Trade Hall which houses ‘the gig that changed the world’.
St Peter Square: central and practical
St Peter Square is one of the most famous areas of Manchester.
It has been around for a long time and is home to some famous landmarks such as the Midland Hotel, Central Library, the Art Gallery and the more recent statue of Emmeline Pankhurst, who led the Suffragette movement.
It’s quite a busy area because there is one of the main tram stops and several restaurants but it’s very central which makes it easy for you to reach all the main areas such as Market Street, Deansgate, the Gay Village and more.
At the same time, you avoid the ‘chaotic’ vibe that Piccadilly Gardens can have.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in St Peter Square:
- The Midland. This is the most famous hotel in Manchester, where Rolls Royce was founded and where Victoria and David Beckham had their first date.
- Motel One Manchester. Perfect for people looking for a modern 3-star hotel near the Art Gallery and Central Library.
- The Alan. This is a beautiful boutique hotel that was amazingly decorated. Perfect if you want a mix between historic and modern.
The Gay Village – a bustling and lively neighbourhood
The Gay Village (or Canal Street) is one of the most popular areas in Manchester and a must-visit when you are in town.
It’s full of pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and music venues that make it an amazing place to stay in Manchester for those looking for fun times!
It’s a great place to go see a drag show but also take photos. Canal Street is very colourful and the photo opportunities are endless here.
You can also go to Sackville Gardens to see the statue of Alan Turing (who famously cracked the Enigma machine during the war).
Another nice spot to check out is Richmond Tea Rooms. It’s an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tea room that serves one of the best quirky afternoon tea in town.
It’s also worth noting that the free walking tour of Manchester starts in the Gay Village, next to Alan Turing statue, so if that’s something you fancy, you’ll be near the meeting point.
Finally, you will be within walking distance of Piccadilly Station, Piccadilly station and all the main other landmarks in the city.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in the Gay Village:
- Velvet Hotel. A stunning 4-star hotel ideally located on Canal Street, near all the bars and drag shows.
- Leven Manchester. Perfect for people looking for a beautiful place to stay near the Gay Village.
Salford Quays – modern and calm area
Salford Quays is located just outside of Manchester city centre but it’s only a 15-minute by public transport from the main attractions.
It’s home to MediaCityUK, which is an area that houses many BBC departments and ITV studios.
The views here are stunning too so if you want to take gorgeous pictures of Manchester, this is the place to do it from.
It’s also home to The Lowry Theatre, which is a great place to go watch plays and musicals (especially if you are into classic English theatre).
Salford Quays also boasts lots of restaurants, bars and pubs so no matter what type of cuisine you feel like eating or drinking, you will be able to find it here.
Finally, it’s a great place to stay in Manchester if you are looking for something a bit quieter and peaceful but still close enough to the city centre.
Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Salford Quays:
- AC Hotel by Marriott Manchester Salford Quays. A 4-star hotel located on Trafford Road with modern rooms and amenities.
- Holiday Inn Express Manchester and ibis budget Manchester Salford Quays are both great options for people on a budget.
Now that you know everything about the best areas to stay in Manchester, you just need to choose what fits you best and go enjoy Manchester!
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