Manchester is the gateway to the north of England and provides a useful base from which to explore some beautiful countryside of Scotland and Wales. Manchester airport services over 200 worldwide destinations. There is a train station right at the airport. London is only a three-hour train journey. Driving is easy too, with excellent motorways into and out of the city.
Manchester is an easy city to walk in. A walking tour is recommended, where you can see the architecture and culture and major sights including Manchester Town Hall, Manchester Cathedral and the Royal Exchange.
When one thinks about history and shopping in the UK, London usually comes to mind, but Manchester has a wealth of history and the famed Selfridges and Harvey Nichols plus other shopping centres, and of course, two of the most famous football teams. A hidden gem here is Chetham’s Library. This library has been in continuous use as a free public library for over 350 years. It is housed in a beautiful sandstone building dating from 1421.
Manchester is home to one of eight Harvey Nichols in Britain and showcases 12 to 15 exclusive brands not available anywhere else. It offers a style concierge who will help you to know what is right for you. They offer private rooms on request, for the ultimate personalisation. But the store is not just for the high-end customer. Harvey Nichols store director Iain Mackenzie says that Manchester is full of university students, both British and international, and the store caters to them as well.
With a football team that hasn’t lost a game this year – a visit to Manchester City should be on your clients’ agenda, especially with its connection to the GCC and Etihad Airways. There are several tours bookable through Manchester City’s website from match day tours to VIP Legends tours. For the ultimate experience, The Tunnel Club provides back stage access to world-class football.
Manchester is not short of accommodation, but two city centre hotels, with easy access to the train station and shopping are Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester and The Principal Manchester.
Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester is located in the city’s historic Free Trade Hall and the original home to the Hallé Orchestra. Built in 1863, the building has been bombed, abandoned, rebuilt several times and reborn in 2004. The 263-bedroom hotel retains its original façade, heritage and famous artefacts. As the hotel of music in Manchester, it displays autographs of the many stars who performed there during its years as a world-famous music and theatre venue; a tradition the hotel continues with signatures from its high-profile guests today.
The Principal Hotel was launched in November 2016 following an extensive refurbishment of the former Palace Hotel. All 270 of The Principal Manchester’s loft-style bedrooms and suites have been transformed by the award-winning team of interior designers at Michaelis Boyd to make the most of the stunning, double- and triple-height ceilings; of the many original, period features; and to provide the comfort and convenience expected of a luxury lifestyle hotel.
What this writer found most impressive at the hotel was personalisation. If your client likes a certain colour, flower, drink or food, the hotel will ensure that these are available to the guest and in their room. The more the information you can provide, will make your client's stay a more memorable one.