Why shouldn’t business and pleasure mix? If you’re one of the many workforce travelers staying in Manchester for jobs, it can be hard to get your bearings for the city. With more than 2.6 million residents, 680 restaurants and twice as many bars, you’ll want to be well located for your impending trip.
From the best hotels for business travel, to local favourite hangouts, we’ve put together an insider’s guide for business travel to the UK’s second largest city.
When Business Calls
Whether you’re looking for meeting space or a place to rest, Manchester is known for some of the best hotels for business travel suitable to all budgets.
If travelling by train, the Doubletree by Hilton is perfectly located next door. This is one of the best hotels for business travel kitted out with the latest amenities; iMac TVs, a foodie theatre and complimentary WiFi throughout. It’s also one of the top spaces in the city for small and large meetings and conferences.
One of the latest hotels to open is the Dakota. Modern, stylish and surprisingly affordable, rooms start from around £120 a night. Although it’s in the city centre, it’s still within easy reach of the train station, making it a great all-rounder.
Another one of the best hotels for business travel is the Marriot AC Hotel. Located in the Northern Quarter, it’s within easy reach of Manchester Victoria station, as well as plenty of great nightlife. Complete with a business centre and meeting space, rooms start from around £75 a night.
Traveling to Dublin for Business travel as well? Check out our expert tips.
A Bite to Eat
Whether you want a full-English, or fast-forward to brunch, you’ll find an appetising menu at Brewski (Chorlton Street and Mosley Street). Be sure to arrive hungry as portions are huge, including stacked pancakes to mouth-watering sharing boards.
As well as being one of the best hotels for business travel, the Malmaison is a popular spot for a working lunch. Its Chez Mal Brasserie offers a smart-casual backdrop for catching up with clients over delicious food.
For casual dining at its best, the Rice ‘n’ 3 is somewhat of a local institution. Here you can get rice and three curries for under a fiver. There’s a casual vibe and plenty of tourists and locals alike in this Northern Quarter gem.
As day turns to night, head to Yuzu in Chinatown for a buzzing atmosphere. This is a great place if your dining alone, with stools alongside the bar for watching the world go by. If you’re feeling flush however, treat yourself to a meat feast at the Hawksmoor in Deansgate. If you can’t afford the price tag, swing by at lunch for their £15 set menu.
Known for its bustling music scene, a stay in Manchester should combine some cultural catching up. Northern Soul is a fun place to drink and dine with a lively soundtrack.
For evening entertainment, there’s no shortage of great bars in and around Deansgate, check out The Briton’s Protection if whisky’s your thing, or The Dockyard for industrial chic.
Keeping Fit
In between working and chilling, one of the best ways to explore the city is by foot. Start at the Lock Keeper’s cottage in Castlefield and scale the Rochdale canal through the city. If indoor exercise is more your thing, or your company travel policy includes gym allowance, there’s a number of ‘pay as you go’ gyms to take advantage of in the city centre. The Nuffield gym has day passes starting from £8.60 a day, while Livingwell offers the same for £12.
Learn how to stay healthy while on workforce travel by checking out our latest ebook on employee wellness.
What to Do
Day or night, there’s always something going on in the city. This includes talks, festivals, gigs and beyond. From Oktoberfest to Caribbean Carnivals, grab yourself a copy of Time Out and stay in-the-know.
As well as offering the best hotels for business travel, Manchester is of course a mecca for music lovers. Head to ‘Band on the Wall’ and ‘The Deaf Institute’ for all the latest bands. By day, make a bee-line to ‘King Bee Records’ – this infamous record shop sells vintage vinyl and CDs, you never know what rare treat you might find.
Of course, the other love affair this city is known for is football. Extend your work trip for the weekend and be sure to stop by Old Trafford. The most famous football team in the world opens its doors to visitors with tours. Pair this with a trip to the National Football Museum and you’ll be in football heaven!
To get some respite, the John Rylands library is a stunning building and welcoming retreat. Here you can find a wide selection of books and manuscripts in tranquil settings.
Finally, for cultural exploration, make the most of your time with a trip to the Manchester Museum. Cosy up to Egyptian mummies, historic artifacts and stuffed animals, all on show for your pleasure!
Traveling to Manchester for business? Why not book and manage your stay with Roomex, the self service travel management system with one monthly invoice and the best rates on all hotels globally. Get in touch with one of our hotel experts today.
