The best tourist-friendly hotels for exploring Manchester city centre

The five-star Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre offers luxurious accommodation within a historic building, formerly the city's Stock Exchange. Inside, the tourist-friendly hotel features grand interiors with marble pillars, chequered floors, and Art Deco details, while rooms and suites are elegantly furnished and equipped with modern amenities like Nespresso machines and plush robes. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the stunning former Trading Room, relax in communal lounges, and take advantage of services such as in-room styling and secure parking.

Just across the River Irwell from Manchester city centre, the Lowry Hotel in Salford draws inspiration from Manchester's independent spirit with vibrant, contemporary rooms designed for comfort. With 165 rooms and suites, including the luxurious Presidential Suite—the largest in the city—guests enjoy stylish furnishings, luxury amenities, and stunning river views. The five-star hotel also features a luxury spa with advanced facilities, a restaurant serving French cuisine, and versatile event spaces, making it a top choice for travellers seeking comfort and elegance.

The Midland is a historic four-star hotel in Manchester, offering over a century of luxury with a blend of modern and classic accommodation. Guests can choose from a variety of stylish rooms and suites, many featuring city skyline views, and enjoy amenities such as tea and coffee facilities, toiletries, and complimentary newspapers. The Midland continues to be a prime choice for visitors seeking elegant accommodation that lets them explore Manchester city centre at their leisure.

The Britannia Hotel in Manchester, set in a Grade II-listed building, offers affordable accommodation in the city centre with a grand atmosphere, featuring stunning architectural details like a cast-iron staircase and a chandelier. The pet-friendly hotel provides simply furnished but comfortable rooms with modern amenities, including Wi-Fi and ensuite bathrooms, along with a range of room options for various needs.

The Cow Hollow Hotel on the edge of Manchester's Northern Quarter offers stylish boutique accommodation with a unique blend of rugged exposed brick, marble, and metallic accents. Housed in a former textile mill, the hotel features 16 boutique rooms with luxury bedding, rainfall showers, Smart TVs, and complimentary breakfast bags. Guests can enjoy the hotel's cocktail lounge with free antipasti and prosecco, while a curated list of local restaurants ensures plenty of dining options nearby, a handy feature for first-time visitors.

Located just around the corner from Piccadilly Station, Native Manchester is a great choice for a first stay in Manchester, letting you drop off your luggage and get your bearings before heading onwards to explore the city centre. The pet-friendly aparthotel also features convenient facilities like a lively restaurant and bar, a mini cinema, and more, meaning you have everything you need for a memorable stay in one place, if you so choose.

Doghouse, a tourist-friendly hotel by craft beer brand BrewDog, is Manchester's first beer-centric accommodation. The unusually themed hotel in the city centre offers 18 rooms packed with fun features, including a beer fridge in the bathroom, in-room beer taps, and a collection of guitars and vinyl records. Fully dog-friendly, it even provides special packages for furry guests, while a rooftop bar adds to the experience. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and the building's exterior is adorned with greenery.

After a full day of exploring Manchester city centre – conveniently located on your doorstep, by the way – what can be better than relaxing in a rooftop pool and taking in the city from above? Set in an impressive Italian Renaissance building in central Manchester, King Street Townhouse is ideal for both short escapes and extended stays and boasts a stunning infinity pool with breathtaking city views.

Malmaison Manchester Deansgate is a refined hotel located on Princess Street, offering convenient access to both the city centre and Greater Manchester. The chic rooms and suites feature a retro-inspired design while providing modern comforts for a relaxing stay. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar and grill, along with a sleek cocktail bar that serves Asian-influenced small plates for a refined dining experience.

The Ibis Manchester Centre hotel offers a convenient location for both business and leisure travellers, being near key attractions, shopping areas, and transport links like Manchester Piccadilly Station. The budget-friendly hotel provides comfortable accommodation with cosy beds, modern conveniences, and a hearty breakfast to start your day, ensuring a practical and pleasant stay.

The Mitre Hotel provides a cosy city centre getaway with scenic views of Manchester Cathedral. With a prime location, the hotel features 39 individually designed rooms, from comfy singles to a spacious studio apartment. Guests can dine at the on-site gastropub, which serves classic British fare, and take advantage of special packages for weekend stays, making it an affordable yet charming choice for first-timers.

The Manchester Centre outpost of the global Novotel chain, a classic choice for tourists around the world, offers a convenient and comfortable stay just steps away from many of the city's top attractions. The rooms are simple but equipped with everything necessary for a restful night's sleep. Catering to both leisure and business guests, the hotel features conference facilities, a gym, a sauna and steam room, and an on-site restaurant and bar for dining and relaxation.

Velvet Hotel enjoys a picturesque canalside spot in the Gay Village, making it an excellent choice for a relaxing city-centre stay. Each room and suite boasts its own unique contemporary design, with added perks like a mini-bar, coffee machine, and high-end toiletries. For an extra touch of luxury, guests can opt for the recently refurbished penthouse suites, while the hotel also offers on-site dining and drinking options.

The Gardens Hotel in Manchester Piccadilly provides comfortable and secure accommodation just a short walk from key city-centre attractions. This three-star hotel offers a variety of cosy rooms, catering to budget travellers, families, and business guests alike, all at an affordable price. Guests can enjoy a traditional breakfast served in the ground-floor restaurant, along with modern amenities to ensure a pleasant stay.

Abode Manchester is a four-star hotel set in a 19th-century textile factory, just two minutes from Piccadilly Station. The individually designed rooms all feature luxurious beds and modern ensuite bathrooms, while original details like parquet floors and ironwork columns add charm. Guests can dine throughout the day at Brasserie Abode, which serves classic comfort dishes alongside late-night cocktails. Staying at Abode, you're just a few minutes' walk from the very centre of the city.