A metal bed with a white duvet and a bedside table with a lamp next to it A metal bed with a white duvet and a bedside table with a lamp next to it

The coolest hotels in the Northern Quarter

If you're heading to Manchester and want to be in and amongst the hustle and bustle, the Northern Quarter is the place to be. The NQ is one of Manchester's trendiest neighbourhoods, where colourful street art is pasted all over the walls, and the area thrums with a buzzy nightlife. This district also boasts some of the coolest hotels around. Whether you're drawn to sleek, modern design, retro digs, or stylish boutique retreats, the Northern Quarter offers a range of places to stay that perfectly capture the spirit of this hip neighbourhood. In this guide, we've selected some of the coolest hotels in the Northern Quarter, ensuring you stay right at the heart of the action.

In this guide
  1. The coolest hotels in the Northern Quarter
    1. Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Part of Manchester's skyline
    2. The Cow Hollow Hotel – A nod to the NQ
    3. Hotel Gotham – The 1920's vibe of Gotham City
    4. Native – Artsy and eclectic
    5. The Abel Heywood – A boutique bolthole
    6. Dakota – Sleek, sexy and sophisticated

The coolest hotels in the Northern Quarter

From hip hangouts to boutique boltholes

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Part of Manchester's skyline

Any hotel located inside the former historic Free Trade Hall is going to have oodles of character, especially when it's in a Victorian Gothic architectural style. Kimpton Clocktower Hotel was initially built in the 1850s and was a significant venue for political meets and concerts, including performances by Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Fatboy Slim, and more. The hotel houses a clock tower that's an iconic part of Manchester's skyline, and some of the rooms even boast views of it. Every night, the hotel hosts a social event where you can meet other like-minded travellers during your stay at this legendary Manchester city centre hotel.

The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel
The Cow Hollow Hotel – Cool hotels in the Northern Quarter
The Cow Hollow Hotel

The Cow Hollow Hotel

A nod to the NQ

The Cow Hollow Hotel is in one of Manchester's most eclectic and creative areas, where people flock for its independent shops, quirky cafes, and buzzy nightlife. The hotel features an industrial-chic design reflecting the area's history, with individually designed rooms that usually feature bold colours and funky furnishings. The hotel is also filled with artwork from local artists, and the decor is inspired by the vibrant culture of the surrounding area.

Hotel Gotham

The 1920's vibe of Gotham City

Hotel Gotham is housed in a stunning 1920s Art Deco building on a red-bricked street reminiscent of New York's architecture. Originally constructed as a bank, it retains many of its original features, giving the hotel a glam and historical feel. Although it's not officially affiliated with the Batman franchise, the hotel's name and theme draw inspiration from Gotham City and has subtle nods to the Batman story everywhere you look. The hotel is known for its exclusive and slightly secretive vibe, including its stylish cocktail bar inside a former bank vault. There's a chic restaurant, Gotham Grill, known for its elegant setting and delicious food. Some rooms even boast views of Manchester's legendary skyline.

Native

Artsy and eclectic

Native is a grade II-listed, award-winning aparthotel in Manchester's buzzy Northern Quarter, located in a beautifully restored warehouse building. The hotel often incorporates local art and creative elements into its spaces, reflecting the artistic spirit of the Northern Quarter. Downstairs is Ducie Street Warehouse, a community hub housing a restaurant, bar, café, dog-friendly cinema, and even fitness classes from the renowned BLOK.

The Abel Heywood

A boutique bolthole

The Abel Heywood is housed in a historic Victorian building that was once a pub, preserving many of its original features. It's named after prominent local philanthropist Abel Heywood, who is renowned for his contributions to the city's social and civic life. This award-winning hotel only houses 15 individually designed rooms and offers a comfortable place to rest your head after exploring the area's epic cultural scene.

Dakota

Sleek, sexy and sophisticated

Dakota Manchester is a chic hotel in the Northern Quarter, known for its sleek, modern design. This luxury hotel houses an acclaimed restaurant, Dakota Grill, which offers a menu of contemporary British fare. There's also a sophisticated bar serving fine wines, cocktails, and other drinks. Dakota Manchester has earned awards for its exceptional service and elegant style.

Send suggestion

Did we miss something in this guide?

Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.