If there’s one thing we love here at Watson St, it’s a city-break – but why fly to some faraway destination when we have so much here on our doorstep? This Valentine’s Day, we urge you to take a look through our definitive guide to Manchester’s most romantic hotels. You might just find yourself falling in love with your own city all over again.
Hotel Gotham
Sitting pretty at the top of King Street, Hotel Gotham is surrounded by some of Manchester’s most iconic architecture. Housed in one of the city’s most grand and listed buildings, Hotel Gotham stirs a sense of allure and glamour – making this gem perfect for a little Valentine’s Day getaway.
With an infamous history shrouded in mystery, Hotel Gotham is one of Manchester’s most romantic hotels, and has a penchant for grand gestures. Hitting the national news in 2010, it was alleged that safe boxes had been discovered on-site, containing priceless jewellery and musical master tapes from Manchester marvels, Joy Division and New Order.
With sixty luxurious rooms, Hotel Gotham achieves an opulent exclusivity, and has welcomed a stellar guest list (Paloma Faith, Jennifer Hudson) since opening in April 2015. While you’re here…
Shopping
House of Fraser – Kendals, Deansgate | 5 min walk| Iconic to Manchester heritage, this art-deco style, Grade II listed building is a luxury department store and houses luxury beauty, fashion and homeware.
Snacking
Black Sheep Coffee and Cocktails, 60 Spring Gardens | -1 min walk | Not too far from Hotel Gotham, just head around the corner for some great coffee and tasty treats.
Dining
Albert’s Schloss, Peter Street | 8 min walk| Manchester’s most spectacular ‘wunderbar’, the Albert Schloss ‘Cook Haus’ serves up rustic dishes inspired by Alpine German, Italy, Switzerland and France.
Drinking
Flight Club, King Street | – 1 min walk| Extravagant and exciting, head to Flight Club (conveniently just behind Hotel Gotham) for an evening of great cocktails and social darts – just don’t forget to show your better half what you’re good for.
Exploring
The Albert Hall, Peter Street | 8 min walk | If you’re into music… or badass bingo, check out the Albert Hall what’s on guide. A once forgotten Wesleyan chapel in the centre of Manchester, The Albert Hall has now been restored and resurrected as an unrivalled events venue.
Hotel Indigo
Situated at the axis point between the Northern Quarter and Exchange Square, Hotel Indigo Manchester-Victoria is the perfect balance between the past and present.
Housed in an original Victorian building, Hotel Indigo have been careful to retain as many original and romantic features as possible, whilst also boldly embracing contemporary design. With its flawless location and stunning bar/restaurant downstairs, Hotel Indigo has quickly gained a name for itself as one of the most romantic getaway destinations in the city.
Opening its doors just before Christmas, we were invited to stay the night a few years ago. To say we were taken aback by the quirks and character would be an understatement, as the amount of attention to detail that had gone into the design of each room was inspired.
Unique and intimate, the space is dedicated to curating the city into the hotel, collecting everything that makes it different from anywhere else and incorporating its findings into a home-from-home environment.
While the bathrooms boast luxurious waterfall showers and clean, minimal bathroom designs, the rooms are brushed with cotton motifs, paying homage to Manchester’s rich industrial history.
These subtle and reminiscent touches blend seamlessly into the hotel décor, and many could be easily missed – unless you knew to pay attention to the cotton reel coat hooks, or the cotton thread artwork span above the beds.
In the morning, you can complete your hotel stay by a relaxing in the Mamucium café, treating yourself and your loved one to a selection of artisan delights amongst a timeless setting.
Adjacent to the café, Mamucium feels laid back and chic, with calm, welcoming and plush décor which is set against exposed ceilings and metallic pipes. Serving up exceptional, locally-sourced ingredients, the restaurant aims to recreate family favourites with a Mancunian twist. While you’re here…
Shopping
Selfridges, Exchange Square | 1 min walk | You’re right in the heart of everything here, but conveniently close to the UK’s most coveted one-stop shopping destination. World-famous for that yellow branding, you can discover the world’s finest luxury brands and the latest exclusive arrivals.
Snacking
Proper Tea, Cathedral Yard | 4 min walk| Just around the corner, head to Proper Tea for a contemporary take on the traditional British tearoom, serving fine loose leaf teas alongside fresh homemade meals and delicious hand crafted treats.
Dining
The Corn Exchange, Manchester | 1 min walk | The heart and soul of Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange houses an eclectic mix of cuisines from around the world. We’d recommend stopping by at Mowglis.
Drinking
Sinclair's, Cathedral Approach | 4 min walk | We’d consider this historic landmark as the backbone of drinking in Manchester. Warm, friendly and familiar, this pub features a no fuss drinks menu, low beams, and one of the biggest outside drinking areas in the city.
Exploring
Manchester Cathedral, Cathedral Gardens | 4 min walk| One of the city’s most compelling historical landmarks, Manchester Cathedral has survived centuries of wars and with stone carvings of bees and kangaroos, its walls date back to medieval times. Catch Manchester Gin Festival over Valentine’s weekend.
King St Townhouse Located within the upper King Street Conservation area of the city, King Street Townhouse is a whimsical Italian renaissance building, designed by Manchester architect Edward Salomons in 1872. Famed for its glamorous roof-top infinity spa pool, the building was originally built for the Manchester Salford Trustees Bank, and another of Salomans’ neighbouring commissions include the gothic Manchester Reform Club, now known as The Grand Pacific Bar and Restaurant.
Expanding on the allure and originality of the history of the building, King Street Townhouse features forty exquisite and individually designed bedrooms and suites.
There are fifteen ‘Snug Rooms’, each with their own monsoon rain shower and all flawlessly formed with comfort in mind – perfect for a romantic city break. The thirteen ‘Cosy Rooms’ are just that; intimate and restful, complete with a stylish en-suite walk in rain shower and free standing bath. In their seven ‘Comfy Rooms’, King Street Townhouse presents super king sized mattresses and goose down feather pillows, as well as walk in rain showers and free standing baths.
As one of Manchester’s most romantic hotels, it’s the ‘Luxe Junior Suites’ and ‘Suite’ rooms where King Street Townhouse really comes into its own though. With spacious open plan bedrooms and intimate cosy lounge areas, these spectacular rooms are adorned with elegant furnishings and plush touches.
Up on the 5th floor, the top two suites feature enviable views of the Town Hall and clock tower. Named after Alfred Waterhouse (the architect of Manchester Town Hall) and Great Abel, the bell housed in the clock tower (named after Abel Heywood, the Mayor of Manchester at the time).
While you’re here…
Shopping Harvey Nichols, New Cathedral Street | 7 min walk | Take a short walk down Deansgate to this sleek, high-end fashion store with international designer labels, plus homeware, beauty and cafes.
Snacking Pot Kettle Black, Barton Arcade | 6 min walk | Pot Kettle Black is small a bohemian cafe, located in the picturesque Victorian shopping arcade – which also happens to be a great cut-through to Deansgate.
Dining El Gato Negro | 3 min walk| On of the finest jewels on King Street, El Gato Negro is a romantic tapas bar and restaurant renowned for its delicious Spanish delicacies.
Drinking Vesper, Pall Mall | 1 min walk| Head to Vesper, just off King Street for elegant, refined cocktails. Inspired by the Grand Hotels of 1920’s Europe and the golden age of decadence, this bar creates a sense of lavish romance.
Exploring
The John Rylands Library, Deansgate | 5 min walk | Gifted to Manchester over 100 years ago, this historical landmark is a place of wonder; a magical celebration of imagination and learning. Perfect for exploring with your loved one – but not to be confused with your uni library.
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