The best boutique hotels in Manchester

If you want to be based right in the heart of the Northern Quarter, take a look at staying at The Cow Hollow Hotel on Newton Street. The building is a beautifully restored Victorian textile mill which has been converted into a modern boutique hotel with 16 cosy rooms kitted out with king-sized beds, porcelain bathrooms with bronze rainfall showers and plush goose down duvets. Breakfast bags are served in the morning, and you're treated to a complimentary glass of prosecco and nibbles. Ask for expert local dining recommendations since you're just a stone's throw from some of the best bars and restaurants in the city.

This four-star hotel is situated a measly two-minute walk from Piccadilly Station, right in the heart of the city. It encapsulates the history of Manchester beautifully as it's set in an old 19th-century textile factory. It currently holds two AA Rosettes for its restaurant Brasserie Abode and four AA Black Stars, only awarded to properties with top levels of quality, hospitality and service. Each of the rooms here is individually designed and comes in four categories: Comfortable, Desirable, Enviable, and Fabulous. Every room has an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower and all the luxurious amenities for a comfy stay. These modern aspects are complemented by original features like parquet flooring and high Victorian ceilings.

Native is part of the iconic Ducie Street Warehouse, set inside a beautiful Grade II-listed warehouse. The hotel was the winner of The Sunday Times 2019 Best Place to Stay in the North award. There are 162 luxury, serviced apartments with spacious living rooms and kitchens. You have everything you need here, being part of Ducie Street Warehouse: a restaurant, bar, all-day deli counter, cinema, takeaway shop, outdoor terrace, and a fitness centre with classes led by Blok. You're also just a 2-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station.

BrewDog Doghouse Manchester is the city's ultimate craft beer hotel, featuring a popular rooftop bar serving tasty tacos and 30 types of craft beer. There are 18 rooms with BrewDog touches, such as shower beers, in-room beer taps and complimentary in-room pooch packages for your dog. The downstairs bar serves comfort food like burgers and wings and hosts a regular line-up of exciting showcases from their favourite guest breweries. This dog-friendly hotel is also situated moments from the Northern Quarter, where it's all happening.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a slice of history, set in a grand 19th-century building with its distinctive red brick facade and namesake clocktower. This five-star hotel is perfect if you want to be located close to the city centre. Rooms feature many of the building's original features, plus double-height windows soaking the space in natural light. Walls are pasted with art which expresses the unconventional inspiration from local artists. On-site facilities include a bar, restaurant, private dining, and versatile event spaces.

King Street Townhouse is a stroll from the city's grand Town Hall and offers a historic, elegant place to stay amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel's south-facing rooms and suites provide a window over the city's skyscraper-dotted skyline and monuments, and the rooftop infinity pool comes with even more sweeping city views. There's a modern gym and an ESPA spa with a Himalayan salt cave, eucalyptus steam room, and ice fountain. Indulge in a variety of treatments led by expert therapists before relaxing in the Spa Champagne Lounge.

If you fancy being based a little outside of the city consider a stay at Oddfellows on the Park. It's located in the lush grounds of the 120-acre Bruntwood Park, where you'll feel like you're deep in the countryside and can enjoy stunning views of mature parkland and woods. This five-star boutique hotel in Cheadle features 22 elegant rooms with parkland views, plenty of natural light, and spacious beds, ensuring optimum comfort. Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the on-site salon, sip drinks at the bar, or make the most of the expansive grounds the hotel is set in.

The Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester is in the former home of the Manchester Stock Exchange and offers five-star, luxurious accommodation in the city centre, moments from the hip Northern Quarter. The building has maintained some original features, like marble pillars, chequered tiled floors, stained-glass windows, and classic Art Deco elements. The 40 rooms and suites are elegantly furnished with white marble-effect bathrooms, walk-in showers and baths in some of them. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the former Trading Room, with non-residents also welcome, plus additional services such as in-room makeup and hair styling, communal lounges, and secure parking.

Upscale but edgy, secluded but close to attractions, Velvet Hotel is a boutique hotel on the buzzy Canal Street in the Gay Village, a short walk from the main train station, Piccadilly. Each of the bedrooms and penthouse suites here have been individually designed, ranging from King Bedrooms to Balcony Rooms. There's a bar for late-night cocktails, Velvet Bar, and a restaurant, Village Brasserie, for feasting on contemporary British and Mediterranean-inspired food.

Design lovers will love this aparthotel on Princess Street, Whitworth Locke, set in a beautiful 19th-century building in Manchester's civic quarter. The hotel houses 160 studios and suites that come with their own kitchen, so you can really feel at home or save some money on eating out. This venue also has kitted-out co-working spaces and meeting rooms that are super useful for business travellers. A coffee shop, restaurant, and bar are also available on-site, but you are also a hop, skip and jump away from some excellent restaurants and bars. This accommodation is also dog-friendly, so furry friends are welcome.

Gotham Hotel is Manchester's ultimate Art Deco-style boutique hotel, located in the former head office of the Midland Bank, one of the city's grandest listed buildings. This luxurious accommodation is one of the coolest hotels in the city, embracing the moody but enticing 1920s vibes of Gotham City. You'll be greeted by bellboys wearing Wes Anderson-style attire, amongst other notable characters who add to the personality of this hotel from a bygone era. Rooms come in different sizes with en-suite monsoon showers, Egyptian bedding and all the other luxurious amenities you'd expect from a five-star stay. The hotel was also on the news as safety deposit boxes containing gold, jewellery and master tapes from Joy Division and New Order recording sessions were once allegedly found on site.

This small luxury hotel in the leafy suburb of Didsbury is set in a stunning Victorian townhouse with just 27 individually designed bedrooms. Modern decor combines original features, including stained-glass windows, bright wallpaper, and handpicked artwork. Rooms vary in size and design but include things like homely furnishings, distinctive cast-iron radiators, and an overall travel theme. All rooms except the Snug Rooms have a signature roll-top bath, but the Opus Loft Suite should be booked for special occasions. It features two cast iron roll-top baths side-by-side. The hotel is located just 15 minutes from Manchester city centre and the airport.

Leven is a boutique hotel located at the intersection of Canal Street and Chorlton Street in Manchester. This former early 20th-century cotton warehouse has been transformed into a stylish hotel that accommodates every kind of stay, whether you plan to stay for a day or a year. The hotel features industrial elements like exposed brick walls and Crittall windows, brought to life by lush hanging plants, bold tiles, and a soothing pastel colour scheme. Almost 300 artworks curated by co-founder Timothy Griffin dotted around the hotel. Each room here is unique and pays homage to the rich history of Chorlton Street. Rooms are tasteful, with oak parquet or timber plank flooring and bespoke furniture. Some even feature high ceilings and stand-alone baths. There's a modern brasserie, Maya, serving European classics and a lobby bar Upstairs at Leven, where cocktails are the star of the show.

If you're keen to stay near the Northern Quarter, The Abel Heywood is a top choice, known for its prime location on Turner Street. This stylish boutique hotel is a modern take on a classic Victorian gin pub, offering a glimpse into the city's louche past. There are just 15 bedrooms here, kitted out with all the amenities for a comfortable stay, plus vintage radios or record players. There's an award-winning bar and restaurant on-site, serving dishes by a team of highly-trained chefs and a drinks menu spanning cocktails, beer, spirits and a big focus on gin.

This iconic five-star hotel is named after the legendary Manchester-based artist L. S. Lowry and offers a luxurious stay in a happening part of the city. There are 165 bedrooms and 12 stunning suites to choose from, with floor-to-ceiling windows with either city skyline views or River Orwell vistas. There's an iconic spa, RE:TREAT, where therapists undertake sumptuous treatments for ultimate rest and relaxation. There are also a cryotherapy chamber, meditation pod, and sensory deprivation tank. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner at River Restaurant, which boasts picturesque river views.