Manchester, the up-and-coming cultural capital of northern England, still manages to maintain a down-to-earth, friendly atmosphere. With a bustling, cosmopolitan fashion, sports, dining and bar scene, Manchester is perfect for a weekend traveler looking for something new and exciting. The unique character of Manchester and its citizens, simultaneously laid-back and interested, artistic and earthy, will surely rub off on you.

As far as luxury hotels go, there are so many choices that it can feel overwhelming. These five luxury hotels showcase the best service, design, location and comfort Manchester has to offer. Depending on your aesthetic, one might appeal more than the others, but all are equally committed to making your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Rocco Forte Lowry Hotel

Known around town as “the Lowry,” this hotel offers outstanding views of the River Irwell, the magnificent Manchester Cathedral, and is within walking distance of the town centre. With an indoor full spa (complete with saunas, a fitness center, and skin treatment rooms), a business center with wifi and meeting rooms, and on-site event planners for weddings, talks, or any other function you’re interested in holding, the Lowry contains all the luxuries you might need. With 32-inch flat panel TVs, iPod docking stations, minibars, and marble-floored bathrooms (including complimentary slippers!) in every room, the Lowry will feel so cozy you won’t want to leave! [images The Lowry]

Great John Street

If you’re looking for something a little bit more elegant, chic and intimate, the boutique hotel on Great John Street is just what you need. Located at the heart of Manchester City Centre, the red and white decor, hardwood floors, and fashionable antique furniture are only part of the Great John Street hotel’s appeal. This new hotel has so impressed visitors with its service that it has become the unofficial celebrity hotel of Manchester. Don’t be surprised if movie stars, athletes, or public figures happen to greet you in the halls! [Images Great John Street]

Radisson Edwardian

Also located in the City Centre close to everything, the Radisson Edwardian occupies the former Free Trade Hall, where the Sex Pistols played an infamous early gig. Everything about the architecture of the Edwardian screams sophistication. From the preserved Italianate exterior, all arches and complex stone trim, to the cool contemporary artwork all over the walls of the lobby, to the red chandeliers and antique wall coverings of the Opus One restaurant, to the sleek, reflective swimming pool room, to the rustic saunas, this hotel is a veritable feast for the senses. Each suite also contains original artwork, marble bathrooms, and sleek polished wood fittings. [Images by Radisson Edwardian]

The Midland

The weight of history fills the air as you enter this hundred-year-old building, which until just a few years ago still had gas-fired torches outside the building. Close to the shopping and nightclub districts in northern Manchester, the Midland is the perfect blend of history and modernity. You can spend a day shopping for the latest fashions, a night out at the hottest clubs, then saunter back to the century-old Midland, still a towering figure in the Manchester skyline, to your softly-lit century-old room. The Midland includes a swimming pool, fitness center, and all the other amenities you might expect. [Images by The Midland]

Eleven Didsbury Park

For an exclusive, romantic getaway, you can’t beat Eleven Didsbury Park. Didsbury, a trendy suburb of Manchester, is the perfect place for those who want to get away from the bustle of city life. Located in a Victorian town house, Eleven Didsbury Park contains a private lounge, bar, and garden for exclusive use by hotel guests. With only twenty rooms and incredibly reasonable rates, be sure to book your reservation today! The quiet, romantic, elegant decor, combined with world-class customer service, makes Eleven Didsbury Park one of the hottest less-known locations around Manchester. [Images Eleven Didsbury Park]

Front image by gerryscappaticci

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