Luxury hotels in Manchester: historic clock towers and relaxing spas

As one of the esteemed Leading Hotels of The World, The Lowry brings a colourful aesthetic to the banks of the River Irwell. Here, spacious rooms are comfortably furnished with retro-inspired dark wood and rich leather pieces. Alongside smart TVs and iPod docking stations, rooms also include walk-in wardrobes and bathrooms decorated with Italian porcelain tiles and glass mosaics. For a real treat, upgrade to the sumptuous penthouse Charles Forte Presidential Suite – the largest in Manchester. Relax in your own open-plan lounge-dining area with far-stretching views, a wide-screen TV and a baby grand piano.

During your stay, visit the elegant Riverside Restaurant for a spot of The Lowry’s award-winning afternoon tea, which includes delicacies like apricot and almond frangipane tart. Savour a seasonal dinner menu featuring dishes such as tandoori breast of pigeon and whole Dover sole, made using local produce. In the evening, head to the River Bar, a relaxed cocktail venue with a cosy Library area. The hotel’s signature drink, Trinity Bridge, includes a shot of champagne.

To pamper yourself from top to toe, make the most of The Lowry Spa. Six large treatment areas offer relaxing massages and skin-revitalising facials that use pure oxygen and natural soluble collagens to promote cell renewal. This Manchester hotel is currently leading the way in its use of award-winning QMS Medicosmetics Skincare products, which it offers alongside Elemis formulas. Finally, complete your soothing visit with a detoxifying trip to the sauna room or refresh your look with a manicure.

The Hilton Manchester Deansgate hotel looks out across the city from the first 23 floors of the landmark Beetham Tower – the 11th-tallest building in the UK. Sleek glass is a main design feature throughout, from the floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views to the hotel’s central winding grand staircase. Each spacious room is minimalist yet cosy: sit back on warm wooden furnishings, or watch the large LCD TV from the comfort of your sizable double bed. Alternatively, stay in the luxurious wood-panelled presidential suite. It has its own separate living room and lavish marble bathroom with both a shower and tub.

As you complete laps of the hotel’s 20-metre heated pool, look out over the city through the glass walls or the underwater viewing panels. There’s a whirlpool section with gently massaging jets as well as a steam room and sauna. These form part of the Hilton’s Urban Spa, which offers treatments using organic products. Try the signature whole-body Butterfly Transformation Ritual, which incorporates acupressure, aromatherapy, massages and energy-boosting reiki to release tension.

At the very top of the hotel you’ll find the aptly named Cloud 23: a gold-and-white sky bar with panoramic views. Try a champagne afternoon tea or a mixed drink influenced by local heritage. ‘Up, Up and Away’ is the world’s first floating cocktail – inspired by the first Briton to make a balloon ascent. For artfully presented British delicacies, head to the sleek Podium Restaurant. Here, the dinner menu is designed by an award-winning chef and includes dishes like golden pork belly and trout with a lobster risotto.

The red-brick, Grade-II listed Principal Manchester hotel is an exciting mix of old and new – best seen in Refuge by Volta. This ultra-cool bar and restaurant was created by former DJs Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford of the award-winning Volta eatery in West Didsbury. Lounge in studded leather chairs in the Dining Room and order sharing plates inspired by cuisines from all over the world, from lamb shawarmas to beetroot pakoras with tamarind ketchup. The Public Bar is open all day serving locally roasted coffee as well as an eclectic wine list and craft beers. For a light snack or cocktail, take a seat in the glass-ceilinged Winter Garden beneath leafy trees.

With its grand clock tower and ornate facade dating back to 1890, the Principal is a distinct feature of the city’s skyline, but don’t be fooled by its Victorian exterior: this hotel is styled with modern industrial design in mind, with hanging pendant lights and warm brass finishes.

Wander up to your room in either the original 19th-century building, the clock tower or the hotel’s 1930s extension. These different sections all have contrasting characters – choose from period rooms with double-height windows and wood panelling or original wall tiles. Antique-style light fixtures are offset with sleek armchairs and useful amenities like smart TVs and a virtual newsagent. Sink into your room’s large bed set with sumptuous sheets and blankets, or take a long soak in the bath with the complimentary Elemis toiletries for total relaxation.

From public hall to concert venue and now luxury hotel, the Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester has seen many a transformation over the years. Built in 1853, the Free Trade Hall now houses spacious 5-star rooms and the Sienna Spa & Health Club: a tranquil oasis of soft lighting and soothing treatments. Take a dip in the 12-metre pool or experience the detoxifying Nordic stone-oven sauna. The spa offers plenty of ways to relax: from deep massage treatments to the gentle whirlpool bath that helps to increase your circulation. Treat yourself to a hydrating facial then sit back on a cushioned lounger in the candlelit relaxation room.

After unwinding in the spa, retreat to your sumptuous room decorated in cool tones and furnished with bespoke leather furniture, original artwork and a king-sized bed. To maximise space, choose an open-plan Alfresco Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors leading out to your own private patio. Alternatively, ascend to the 14th floor and one of the hotel’s exclusive penthouses with panoramic vistas across the city. Named after some of the hall’s famous performers, such as Bob Dylan and Shirley Bassey, these glamorous suites pay homage to the hotel’s rich past.

If you’re feeling peckish between lunch and dinner, take a seat beneath the high ceilings of the grand Free Trade Hall lounge. Here, you can order a spot of afternoon tea with traditional scones or opt for the gentleman’s tea for savoury options, including mini fish and chips. In the evening, tuck into freshly caught lobster or juicy steak from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in the rustic (and aptly named) Steak & Lobster restaurant.

Hotel Gotham offers its guests an opulent trip back in time to the roaring ’20s and ’30s. Inside, gold and black reign supreme while glossy finishes and antique furnishings create a glamorous Gatsby-esque aesthetic. The rooms are spacious and bright thanks to high ceilings and double-height windows, while plush textiles and dark wooden furniture give them a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In the grand suites, retro photos and belted vintage suitcases hark back to the golden age of travel. To embrace the luxury old-world theme, pick a room with a feature roll-top bath and emperor-size bed complete with Egyptian cotton sheets and faux-fur blankets.

Housed in the Art Deco-style former Midland Bank building, this hotel has a unique personality, but it’s not all about the décor. If you’re a keen foodie, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you fancy an afternoon snack, pre-theatre dinner or just cheese and port after the show, head to the 2 AA rosette-awarded Honey Restaurant for fine dining and carefully curated platters. The dining area has a monochrome parquet floor, classic studded leather benches and real typewriters dotted about the walls. Find a seat next to one of the restaurant’s arched windows for views across the city. The hotel is housed in the Art Deco-style former Midland Bank building, In the evening, the à la carte menu offers creative dishes like pigeon and pig’s cheek to start, followed by charred Cumbrian Charolais beef.

With a reservation for the restaurant you’re also granted access to the hotel’s private members’ area on the seventh floor – Club Brass. Walk through two vault-like doors to reach the exclusive Prohibition-style speakeasy bar. Once inside, take a seat on one of the three rooftop terraces to sip on Bellboy Barry’s Bramble, one of the bar’s signature cocktails.