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Original poster

Where to stay Manchester City Centre or Salford Quays?

31 replies

MojacaSunset · 15/05/2023 12:40

I'm not familiar with Manchester but I'm taking dd (18) for a long weekend in July. The main purpose is to watch a sporting event on Sat / Sun at the Etihad campus. We will be going by coach and staying 3 nights. I have seen a good deal for a hotel in Salford Quays, right on the tram line and although it's a 35 min journey to the event it seems straightforward (and we don't need to be there early).
Would we be better off staying in the city centre? Is there plenty to do around Salford Quays?
We want to be able to eat out in the evening but are not party animals.

OP posts:
NoodleNuts · 15/05/2023 12:55

I think you are going to the Etihad, you would be better off staying in the city centre, Salfrd Quays is the wrong side of Manchester really. I've stayed at the Copthorne on Salford Quays when going to a gig in the city centre, the tram there was straight forward but we had to get a taxi back, which cost a fortune.

There wasn't a great deal to do on Salfard Quays either last time I went. Far better to stay in the city centre.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 15/05/2023 13:00

City centre, there’s not loads to do in Salford quays and the areas around it are a bit rough…

Comefromaway · 15/05/2023 13:01

I really like it around Salford quays but the city centre is much more convenient for the Ethiad (ds is a city fan)

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evtheria · 15/05/2023 13:02

City centre, as others have said. You'll struggle getting to the Etihad if there are crowds etc, especially if taking the tram.

There are a couple of good hotel offers for town: I saw the Alan on Groupon, and another one on Travelzoo.

evtheria · 15/05/2023 13:03

PS. The city centre is so walkable, if you're using coach then the station on Charlton St will be easy to access staying in town!

FredaFox · 15/05/2023 13:08

I live in the city centre and would definitely say stay central if you intend to do nice dinners, shops etc
The quays are nice but not much there in the way of dining out
From the centre you can get a tram anywhere, chorlton and Didsbury would be nice for dinner if you want to get out if the city

StormShadow · 15/05/2023 13:12

For three nights, the centre. If it were just one night and the deal was good enough I'd say the Quays, as there are some places to eat there. But if you're staying long enough to make a trip of it you want the city centre.

ErrolTheDragon · 15/05/2023 13:30

We go to the Quays if we're seeing something at the Lowry ... there's the Lowry art gallery (small but interesting), the imperial war museum ... an outlet centre with a lot of vacant shops last time we were there. Eating is mostly, afaik, chains eg cafe rouge.
Ok for an afternoon/evening if you're going to the theatre but for a couple of days mainly doing something on the other side of the city it's probably not the best choice as others have said.

LoobyDop · 15/05/2023 13:34

I don’t think there are any restaurants in Salford Quays that don’t also have branches in the city centre. So unless you have a burning desire to visit an empty shopping mall (could be good if you want to re-enact a zombie apocalypse, I suppose), stay in town.

Original poster
MojacaSunset · 15/05/2023 13:47

Thanks for the input so far.
The event we are attending is the UK athletics championship and we will be there from late morning to early evening on both days. No time for shopping and we will just want a quick dinner each night, nothing fancy.
The Copthorne at the quays is £260 bed and breakfast for three nights which is why I was considering it.
Back to the drawing board!

OP posts:
StormShadow · 15/05/2023 14:00

MojacaSunset · 15/05/2023 13:47

Thanks for the input so far.
The event we are attending is the UK athletics championship and we will be there from late morning to early evening on both days. No time for shopping and we will just want a quick dinner each night, nothing fancy.
The Copthorne at the quays is £260 bed and breakfast for three nights which is why I was considering it.
Back to the drawing board!

Hmm, if its literally just somewhere for food then bed, as the deal is really good I might be tempted to do the Quays in that case. There aren't loads of places to eat there but there are half a dozen, and it's only about 10 minutes from the city centre on the tram. Its a bit more faff but not immensely so.

SouthCountryGirl · 15/05/2023 14:02

I've visited the Etihad and stayed near Piccadilly. There's a premier inn which is a short walk and then it's a short journey on the tram

Redshoeblueshoe · 15/05/2023 14:14

I'd opt for the Quays as well as you are getting back early

evtheria · 15/05/2023 14:29

MojacaSunset · 15/05/2023 13:47

Thanks for the input so far.
The event we are attending is the UK athletics championship and we will be there from late morning to early evening on both days. No time for shopping and we will just want a quick dinner each night, nothing fancy.
The Copthorne at the quays is £260 bed and breakfast for three nights which is why I was considering it.
Back to the drawing board!

If you don't have lots of free time then yes, I don't see why not just stay at the Quays. Planning travel to opposite side of Manchester, of course!

StormShadow · 15/05/2023 14:32

Plus there are some direct trams from the Quays to the etihad, so you might not even have to change. And it'll be the same cost because you'd have to get a ticket for Zone 1 and Zone 2 regardless.

Comefromaway · 15/05/2023 15:01

That does change things eg not returning back late at night and not having any free time as such then go for Salford quays

Coronationstation · 15/05/2023 15:24

There's Premier Inns in the city centre available for a similar price, or even less if it's the first weekend in July that you're looking for. Manchester Central PI is £238 for the 7th-10th July.

HatchetJob · 15/05/2023 15:29

LoobyDop · 15/05/2023 13:34

I don’t think there are any restaurants in Salford Quays that don’t also have branches in the city centre. So unless you have a burning desire to visit an empty shopping mall (could be good if you want to re-enact a zombie apocalypse, I suppose), stay in town.

Bella Italia is only at Salford Quays. I sadly found this last year when we had to trek out there for child’s favourite GF pizza.

Original poster
MojacaSunset · 15/05/2023 22:51

Coronationstation · 15/05/2023 15:24

There's Premier Inns in the city centre available for a similar price, or even less if it's the first weekend in July that you're looking for. Manchester Central PI is £238 for the 7th-10th July.

Thanks, I've had a look at the premier inn and I don't think it will work for us as we want a twin room rather than a double and sofa bed. Adding breakfast is also an extra £60

OP posts:
Cramlington567 · 15/05/2023 23:06

Quays is fine. Alchemist is real nice in the summer for meal and cocktail on the terrace. Seven Brothers is also good, as is the dock yard and Botanist. These are all at Media City though which is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Copthorne. Copthorne is very handy for the tram though. It was a nice hotel back in the 80s and 90s but looks a bit tired now but I haven't stayed there myself.

Of course city centre has loads more options but if you just want a chilled meal then Media City is great. Got a different vibe to city centre, all privately owned land so feels very safe, private security, no beggars etc but maybe a bit soulless but I like it.

Coronationstation · 16/05/2023 06:31

Some of the premier inns have a proper twin room, I booked one earlier in the week and got the option of a double +’sofa bed or two single beds. I don’t mind the sofa bed though, they’re quite comfy and a full size single.

WeAreTheHeroes · 16/05/2023 06:37

I'd stick with your original plan. I think the Premier Inns in town could well be hen and stag night central in summer.

Whichnumbers · 16/05/2023 06:50

Adding breakfast is also an extra £60

there are great places to get breakfast cheaper than £60 if you go to places in the city Center or even Asda next to your venue

thete used to be a fabulous Italian place, dirt cheap near the Eithad

ive stayed at Salford keys, not much happening and would rather be in city center

Original poster
MojacaSunset · 16/05/2023 08:14

I know there are other options for breakfast but it suits us to have it where we are staying rather than having to find somewhere.
We are very keen to avoid hen / stag groups too. It sounds like Salford Quays will suit us best "not much going on" sounds good to me 😁

OP posts:
Coronationstation · 16/05/2023 08:37

Is there anything available at media city? It’s still Salford quays area but there’s a few more places to eat and shops etc at that end.