Culture Club: Manchester Hotels for MIF19

“New to the Manchester International Festival? You’re going to love it. This artist-led festival delights in marrying popular and high culture, showcasing new original work, and generally putting its host city on the global map. It’s a biennial, and the next edition will take place from 4th – 21st July 2019 at venues all over Manchester. Hotels will book up fast as the schedule takes shape, so we’re bringing you a list of accommodation tips good and early…

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Hotel Gotham
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It may only have opened in 2015, but Hotel Gotham comes with plenty of history – and it’s a treat for architecture fans too. Originally a bank, the building was designed by the great Edwin Lutyens back in 1935, and the hotel owners have done their best to preserve its Art Deco fabulousness in the new décor. There are also some playful nods to banking, such as gold ingot toiletry displays and satchel light fittings. The King Street location puts Hotel Gotham less than ten minutes’ walk from Albert Square, which usually hosts Festival Square, the beating heart of MIF.

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Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel
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Next door to Harvey Nicks, the modern, upscale Renaissance Manchester City Centre Hotel gives you a slightly-north-of-centre location that allows you to reach central festival venues with ease, but escape from the bustle when you need to. With polished rooms, city-centre views, and a clubby restaurant and cocktail lounge, there’s plenty to enjoy in the hotel itself, and the walk to the city centre takes you right through some of Manchester’s best shopping streets and past the Royal Exchange theatre. If you plan to stay the full 17 days, book a suite for a separate living room.

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INNSIDE By Meliá Manchester
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Brand-new mega arts centre HOME is both a Manchester landmark and a hub for MIF. Its regular mix of theatre, dance, film and art make it a natural, er, home for festival events; in 2017, it hosted exhibitions and performances, and a huge statue was erected outside. Almost next door, INNSIDE Manchester is a bright, contemporary concept hotel with striking red cladding on the outside. Inside you’ll find simple-but-chic rooms, a wellness suite and a beautiful first-floor restaurant space. With great transport links too, it’s a superb choice for festival goers.

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Ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel
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Buzzing, dynamic, spirited: this newly refurbished hotel may be part of a chain, but it’s quirky and fun from its top floor lobby down. In Piccadilly, one of Manchester’s liveliest districts, it’s close to Piccadilly Gardens where MIF17 opened with a grand 100-metre catwalk. With a 12 noon checkout, and an unlimited, diverse breakfast spread included in your room rate, Ibis Styles Manchester Portland Hotel is a great option if you want a fun-filled festival stay in a great location.

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Great John Street Hotel
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The fabulously eclectic Great John Street Hotel is just around the corner from the legendary Old Granada Studios, a regular MIF venue that hosted artist Liam Gillick and New Order in 2017. Occupying a converted Victorian schoolhouse, the hotel has individually designed rooms, stylish lounges and a south facing rooftop lounge and playground, fitting for its artsy, creative location. Nearby you’ll find Opera House Manchester and the Albert Hall concert venue. And the Coronation Street tour is practically next door if you fancy adding that to your festival agenda. We won’t tell.

If you want to see more hotels on Manchester, visit our Manchester hotels page.”