by Manchester’s energy is contagious, whether you’re soaking up the atmosphere at one of the city’s many festivals, people-watching in a cafe or exploring one of its bustling neighbourhoods. But sometimes, on an action-packed city break, you need to take time out, too. There are many tempting spas to retreat to in the city’s hotels, with tranquil relaxation areas, invigorating massages, and even an infinity pool overlooking the city skyline. Here is our selection of the best spa hotels in Manchester.
Opened in 1903 as an extravagant railway hotel, the historic Midland’s claims to fame include being the place where Rolls decided to do business with Royce, Becks courted Posh and the UK’s first tango was danced. The imposing ornate building is home to several excellent restaurants: head to Adam Reid at The French for fine dining, the Tea Room for afternoon tea, and the Mount Street Dining Room & Bar for less formal dining. The spa is a decent size, with a large relaxation area, treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, hot tub, and a small relaxation pool. Please note that hotel guests will need to reserve a one-hour slot upon arrival for access.
• The best hotels in Manchester
King Street Townhouse is the antithesis of a chain hotel. Everything from the furnishings to the locally commissioned artwork throughout the property has been acquired by the former owner, Sally O’Loughlin, and no two rooms are the same. The ridiculously comfortable beds have crisp white South African bed linen and thoughtful extras like luxurious bathrobes. There is a gym, a thermal suite that includes a steam room and a Himalayan salt cave, and four spa and beauty treatment rooms. Hotel guests can pay £20 to access the thermal suite for two hours. The infinity spa-pool on the seventh floor is the jewel in the crown of this hotel: a quiet place from which to admire the clock tower of the Town Hall, much loved by photographers (free access for hotel guests). .
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Like a true Mancunian, this five-star hotel is ornate without being pretentious and fiercely proud of its roots. Huge, elegant rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and attentive service keep guests coming back for more. There’s a spa called RE:TREAT with a cryotherapy chamber, a meditation pod, a sensory deprivation tank, and a wellness studio with a variety of classes. These are complemented by more traditional treatment rooms and a relaxation room; book ahead for treatments, as it’s popular with visitors and hotel guests. There is also a small gym and a hairdresser. There’s a focus on art at this hotel, named after one of the city’s most famous artists; there are temporary exhibitions on the first floor.
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Housed in one of the city’s grandest buildings, the Free Trade Hall, this five-star property often receives famous visitors to the city (Simon Cowell and Sven-Goran Eriksson among them), making it one of the the best spa hotels in Manchester. Guests will enjoy the spa, which offers a good range of ESPA treatments, a relaxation room in one of the building’s ancient vaults, a 12-metre pool, sauna, steam room, sensation shower and hot tub. Hotel guests receive a 10 percent discount on treatments Monday through Thursday. For great views of the Manchester skyline, including City Hall and the Central Library, opt for a City View room.
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This modern hotel in Manchester’s iconic Beetham Tower offers views of the city and beyond from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Its bar on the 23rd floor has the best vantage point and is a popular spot for special occasions. There is a glass-roofed and glass-walled pool, along with a hot tub, steam room, and sauna. Rooms have neutral color schemes, Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries, and wood furnishings; views are to the south of the city and beyond or to the city center along Deansgate.
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This rather luxurious hotel is on the outskirts of the center but well located for Manchester’s main train station and the larger university campus. The cozy and warmly decorated spa offers Elemis treatments, as well as a thermal suite with hot rock and infrared saunas, a steam room, an ice igloo and an experience shower. The spa also has a relaxation room with magazines, teas and water, a space for snacks and snacks, a tanning room and a gym; no pool, however. Many of the rooms, which are spacious and cosy, have excellent views.
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Located just over the road from Manchester Arena and Victoria Station, this colorful chain hotel has excellent leisure facilities. The spa is the real selling point, with its five treatment rooms (guests get 20 percent off treatments) and nail bar, spruce-colored indoor pool surrounded by sun loungers and loungers and stocked with free glossy magazines. , and its sauna and steam room. There’s also a spacious gym and daily classes including yoga and spinning. There is a terrace where you can sit when the weather is nice.
Contributions by Rhonda Carrier and Cathy Toogood
