Manchester Hotels

With a booming economy and real estate market, Manchester’s recent fortunes have been blessed. Urban development plans have changed the cityscape for the better, bringing new businesses and jobs and laying the groundwork for a cosmopolitan facelift.

The end result is a city progressively more convivial and ripe for international visitors looking to spread their wings in the United Kingdom beyond the urban sprawl of dizzying London.

Attractions

The city synonymous worldwide with Manchester United football provides one obvious and mandatory attraction in Old Trafford. The iconic stage for Manchester’s foremost international ambassadors swells with 76,000 strong when the Red Devils take the pitch.

For a city with just under half a million people – though the metro population tops 4 million – Manchester has a pyretic nightlife. The scene is legendary, with scores of film, television and pop culture tributes and references. A progressive gay community further propagates the club vibe.

Once the foremost center for the vital world cotton trade, much of the prime architecture in Manchester has a now-fashionable red brick factory facade. Heritage city tours that also run past modern additions to the skyline, such as Beetham Tower and others built to accent the 2002 Commonwealth Games, are well worthwhile.

The famous green space of Piccadilly Gardens, in the heart of Manchester, is impossible to miss. Recent refurbishments have made the landmark and monument rich Gardens a wonderful congregation spot for city denizens.

Similarly, Albert Square is a beautiful public plaza with several 19th century monuments of crucial historical and cultural significance.

Just off Albert Square, the Manchester Town Hall is a spectacular Victorian Gothic revival structure, with priceless architectural details that highlight tours of the facility.

Events

If the Premier League is in season, the main events in Manchester revolve around Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium. Home to clubs Manchester United and Manchester City, few sports arenas arouse more passion.

With a music scene famous on the international stage, thanks in part to Joy Division, The Smiths, Oasis and The Stone Roses, Manchester is ground zero for live bands. A slew of concert halls dot the city, from massive Manchester Arena to the Manchester Apollo, Academy 1 and phenomenal Opera House. The Hallé Orchestra and BBC Philarmonic Orchestra exalt Manchester with world class classical performances throughout the year.

If festivals ring your bell, Manchester has them in spades. In the City is one of the premier new music festivals in the world, with scores of international talent and savvy industry scouts in attendance. The Food and Drink festival celebrates the city’s hot restaurant scene every October, when the erudite Manchester Literature Festival also hits town.

Climate

With a moderate marine climate, Manchester experiences mild conditions throughout the year and less than average precipitation for the UK.

• Winter (November to February) 1-9°C
• Spring (March to May) 2.5-15°C
• Summer (June to August) 10-20°C
• Fall (September to October) 7.5-17°C