StayAreas

City Centre

Manchester

The core around Albert Square, St Peter's Square and the shopping streets. The most hotels, the easiest transport and every sight within a short walk.

Best for First visit · Business · Families

Transport
5/5
Sights
5/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$175/night · 5 min to Piccadilly Gardens

See hotels in City Centre

City Centre on the map

Why stay here

  • Walk to every central sight
  • Every tram line passes through
  • The widest choice of hotels

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Business travellers
  • Shoppers

Not ideal if…

  • You want a neighbourhood with character
  • You want quiet evenings
  • Streets around Piccadilly Gardens at night bother you

What it's like

Manchester's city centre runs from Piccadilly Gardens through the shops of Market Street and King Street to the Town Hall, the Central Library and St Peter's Square. It has the widest choice of hotels at every price.

Everything is walkable and every Metrolink line passes through. It's busy by day and some streets around Piccadilly Gardens feel scruffy at night, so King Street and St Peter's Square are the nicer places to stay.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • King Street

    Elegant banking street with upmarket shops and hotels.

  • St Peter's Square & Albert Square

    The Town Hall and Central Library; good transport.

  • Piccadilly Gardens

    The main bus and tram hub; busy and scruffier at night.

Getting around

Nearest stations
St Peter's Square, Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens (Metrolink); Piccadilly and Victoria stations.
To Piccadilly Gardens
About 5 minutes
From Manchester Airport
About 30 minutes: Metrolink or train to the centre, or train to Piccadilly and a short walk.

Nearby attractions

  • Manchester Art Gallery

    Pre-Raphaelites and modern art; free.

  • Central Library

    Domed reading room worth a look; free.

  • John Rylands Library

    Neo-Gothic library on Deansgate; free.

Where to eat and drink

  • Manchester Arndale food market

    Quick, cheap lunches in the shopping centre.

  • Hawksmoor Manchester

    Steaks in a former courthouse on Deansgate.

  • Sam's Chop House

    Classic Victorian chophouse.

Where to stay in City Centre

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Best value

Motel One Manchester-Royal Exchange

Why we like it: Stylish, compact rooms by the Royal Exchange.

Typical budget rate in City Centre: ~$100/night

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Boutique pick

Hotel Gotham

Why we like it: Art Deco hotel in a former bank on King Street.

Typical mid-range rate in City Centre: ~$175/night

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Luxury pick

The Stock Exchange Hotel

Why we like it: Grand Edwardian stock exchange turned hotel.

Typical luxury rate in City Centre: ~$335/night

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Hotels in City CentreMid-range from ~$175/night

See hotels