Hotels in Manchester

[SandandFog]

I've never been to Manchester, I'm travelling from Inverness to run the marathon in April. The start line is at Old Trafford.

I'm a little late to book my hotel so all the very close hotels are booked. Could anyone give me any tips on areas to stay in where it would be easy to get to Old Trafford on public transport?

Thanks!

Old Trafford football or cricket?

Have a look at the tram map as it goes really near there (Old Trafford stop is cricket but there are stops near the football) and so any city centre hotel would work so long as you don't mind a short tram ride.

Start point is White City I think, closer to the football ground than cricket. So either old Trafford or Trafford Bar are close by. You can access them easily from the city centre or if you dont mind being further out then Altrincham is on the tram line. I'd be thinking more about the trip back from the finish to the hotel so I'd suggest the city centre. Absolutely do not consider Britannia or Sachas in the city centre however. They are awful.
The Ibis on Portlans Street is a couple of minutes walk from St Peters Square and has rooms at £120