Rock star stays: the coolest hotels near Manchester’s AO Arena

Hidden above street level on Manchester’s busy Exchange Square, you’ll find the Roomzzz Manchester Victoria Aparthotel.

Based conveniently near Manchester’s gay village in an early 20th-century warehouse, Leven opened in October 2021 as one of its newest, and coolest design hotels.

The BrewDog Doghouse is brought to you by international beer makers, BrewDog. Claiming to be Manchester’s first carbon-negative “beer hotel”, you’ll find signature touches by the brand from beers in the shower to in-room beer taps.

The Dakota Manchester describes itself as Manchester’s best hotel. We’re not getting into that debate but we will say it’s the city’s most glam.

Designed by Amanda Rosa and owned by Ken McCullough, it’s low-lit and brooding, in a stylish, noirish way.

King Street Townhouse is a 4-star luxury hotel in the heart of Manchester City Centre. It’s well known for its spa facilities – including a very special infinity pool with views of the city from the top floor of the building.

The Jacksonheim Boutique is the group name for a portfolio of luxury aparthotels and serviced apartments in some of the most popular locations in Manchester. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay with style, character, and all the comforts of a home-from-home, their range is your place to start.

The Alan is surely one of the most creative and design-led venues in Manchester city centre. A stylish six-storey hotel on Princess Street in the centre of the city with an open-plan kitchen, bar and restaurant. As well as meeting and event spaces.

The Moxy brand is the cool and funky little sister of the Marriott family. Tucked away just off Deansgate in Manchester City Centre, Moxy is a lifestyle hotel where the motto is “Eat, sleep, party, repeat.”

Malmaison Manchester Deansgate is a cool new boutique hotel in the heart of the city. It has amazing views, two restaurants and a quirky 60s style.

Malmaison Manchester Piccadilly is an impressive boutique hotel in the perfect spot. It’s just minutes from Manchester Piccadilly train station, a heartbeat away from the Northern Quarter with its buzzing nightlife and independent shops, and well-placed for Manchester’s commercial centre.

Every Motel One hotel pays tribute to its home city and the Royal Exchange Motel One venue is no exception. A thread of Manchester’s “Cottonopolis” golden era runs through the theme of the hotel.

In Manchester’s cool and vibrant Northern Quarter, it doesn’t get more central than Church Street by Supercity. These one and two-bedroom apartments are ideal for couples and groups wanting a stylish and modern base in Manchester city centre.

Voco Manchester originally opened as Hotel Brooklyn on Manchester’s Portland Street in 2020 as one of the world’s first fully accessible hotels.

Located on Manchester’s Princess Street, Roomzzz Manchester City is perfect for visitors looking for culture in Manchester. Chinatown is just next door – full of some of the city’s best Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai restaurants.

With its tech-led rooms and buzzy location, Yotel Manchester Deansgate is a popular choice with young travellers and city break explorers.

The Lowry Hotel is Manchester’s premier 5-star hotel. While technically in Salford, it is ideally located next to Spinningfields, Manchester’s trendy business district, home to plenty of Manchester’s favourite bars and restaurants.

Velvet Hotel sits right in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village and incorporates elements of the former Victorian warehouse that it once was into its elegantly designed, stylised bedrooms.