Manchester Hotels - Can anyone recommend one? Thinking of the Thistle?

[ElizabethWakefield]

Hoping someone might be able to recommend a decent hotel to stay in. DP are having a few days away in Manchester next week, while DD is also away for a few days, so it's quite last minute.

Ideally we would like something central, nice, breakfast, and a pool would be a bonus. So far have come up with the Thistle, but some of the reviews aren't really the best, so rather than look through loads more hotels, thought i would turn to MN for some recommendations!

The Lowry is booked up for the nights we want, so I think I am going to go with the Malmaison, it does look lovely!

Thanks all for your advice! Any tips on how to spend 3 lovely child free days (and more importantly nights) would be equally welcomed! (trying to steer DP away from tours of football stadiums!! )

I would opt for either Malmaison or The Lowry. Both quite swish though Malmaison slightly funkier and Lowry posher if that makes sense. Hilton also swish and an amazing looking building but quite bland and corporate IMO.

The Lowry is not too far out of town. Although it's technically Salford, it's literally 3 or 4min walk from Manchester town centre. It also has a lovely spa.

Yes to Velvet too. Beautiful!

Sorry, should add that velvet is fairly central too. Canal St very funky and the Velvet resturant really is fab.

Canal st is the heart of the gay village in Manchester BTW but there is always just as many straight couples there as gay ones.

Thanks all, hotel is now sorted! So now I am after some things that DP and I can do in our chid-free time (that is not football related )

We will have all day Sun, Mon and Tues, getting the train home at 6.30 on the Tuesday evening.

Will definitely go to Canal St, I saw The Printworks recommended on another website, any other ideas would be great

nooooooooo! not the printworks. It's Hen night-tastic.

The bars in the Northern Quarter - around Oldham Street are much nicer. Or the bar at the Hilton, although you have to book there.

there's a good arts cinema here. And I would recommend michael caines or the northern quarter restaurant.

I once stayed in the Thistle - it was the worst hotel I have ever stayed in - blood on the walls, mould on the carpet etc. We checked out first thing in the morning and came upon the Malmaison which was lovely.

What would i do without MN!?

Luckily I didn't go with The Thistle then, blood on the walls??

And i will give the printworks a miss too then! Don't fancy being surrounded by lots of hen nights! Thanks