Manchester is always on our list anytime we cross the pond! Alex is a Manchester United fan and cannot pass up the opportunity to visit Old Trafford. Our last trip included a stadium tour, but this time we were lucky enough to attend a match. We always have a great time in Manchester, so I wanted to share a full Manchester Travel Guide based on our favorite spots!
The Lowery Hotel: We stayed at the Lowery five years ago, but sadly they were booked this time around. Most Manchester United players and coaches who do not live in town stay the night there before a match. We loved the Lowery and were bummed that there were no rooms left for us. It is not in a highly walkable area, but there is a strip of restaurants/shops within walking distance and it is a short uber to the main downtown area. The rooms were well decorated, maintained, and most importantly clean!
Manchester Hilton Deansgate Hotel: We visited Cloud 23 during our previous visit, so when the Lowery Hotel was full the Manchester Hilton Deansgate immediately came to mind. The concierge was very helpful making sure everything was set prior to our stay and arranging transportation to the airport. Our room had plenty of space, a fantastic view, and the breakfast buffet offered a large variety. The hotel did seem to be suited more for business and the room we stayed in was not as clean as we would expect from Hilton.
Old Trafford Stadium Tour: We saw every aspect of the stadium including the locker room, tunnel, player’s seats, owner’s box, and press room. Go behind the scenes at Old Trafford and see the stadium through the eyes of Manchester United greats themselves. The tour was about 80 minutes long and very informative.
Manchester United Match: I didn’t know the slightest thing about soccer until I met Alex and would consider myself more of a casual supporter than a true fan. The experience of watching a Premier League match live was unbelievable and I would recommend it to anyone! It is easier to find tickets for certain matches online, but we had no issue finding tickets from a trusted website.
Cloud 23: During our first trip to Manchester, our Uber driver was kind enough to share his favorite spots, including a dining room on the 23rd floor of the Hilton Deansgate: hotel. We had some free time and stopped by for a cocktail then and this trip we stayed in the Hilton hotel to visit again. The atmosphere and view were incredible and we enjoyed the cheese plate with a selection of cheese, seasonal fruit chutney, grapes, and biscuits. They also serve an elaborate tea that looks perfect for a special occasion.
Dukes 92: We planned to walk back to our hotel from Old Trafford after the match and I stumbled on Dukes 92. I would recommend making a reservation in advance and if weather permits we enjoyed the patio. Dukes 92 patio is more casual than the dining room so check the dress code in advance. Everything we tried on the menu was delicious and the hamburger was a nice taste of home.
La Bandera: There are so many great Tapas places in Manchester, something I wish we had more of in Dallas. I had a hard time narrowing down which one we wanted to try but glad I picked La Bandera. We wanted to go somewhere within walking distance so we could see more of the city. Everything we ordered was delicious and do not skip on the churros! El Gato Negro was another tapas spot high on our list.
BrewDog: Alex found BrewDog on a work trip to Columbus and we later realized they are based in the UK. He couldn’t resist passing one on the street without stopping to enjoy a seasonal beer. The BrewDog in Manchester also offered a great variety of single local canned beer to go if that is your thing.
Below are a few photos from our recent trip to Manchester! xoxo
