Last Updated on August 16, 2026

Affordable four-star hotel in a central location

From my 20th-floor room at Aloft By Marriott, I not only had a bird’s-eye view over parts of Manchester, but I could also appreciate the juxtaposition of the old and the new. Much has been written about the regeneration of this city, and visitors cannot fail to notice the constant presence of cranes and the proliferation of skyscrapers. The 22-floor hotel is itself dwarfed by the 47-story-high Beetham Tower alongside. From my windows, I also saw the remains of the Industrial Revolution, which took root in Manchester –  old railway arches, disused Victorian buildings and canals where barges once transported cotton to the mills of this city.

Aloft By Marriott is located in an area called Deansgate, which gleams in the distance from wherever you are in central Manchester. The tall, glass buildings reminded me of Canary Wharf in London, which suddenly seemed to appear a few decades ago. Yet this area of Manchester is also filled with old buildings and has a long cultural history. A couple of minutes’ walk from the hotel, I found Hacienda Apartments. Those who know their musical history will appreciate that this is where the famous Hacienda Club once stood, where Manchester’s acid house and rave scene developed in the late 1980s.

A little further on, I visited The Peveril in the Peak, voted by Time Out as the best pub in the UK, built around 1820, with its original Victorian features all intact. It was a fine spot to enjoy a pint on a hot Friday evening, sitting on an outdoor bench, leaning against its old, yellow and green tiles. The landlady of The Pev, as it is known affectionately by Mancunians, is a woman in her 90s, and she still lives above the pub. Sadly, I caught no sight of the legendary Nancy Swanick.

Aloft in Manchester is a new hotel – it opened in mid-June – and it was striking not only for its central location but also for how affordable it was. A four-star hotel with a well-equipped fitness room, a restaurant (yet to open) and a filling breakfast offers prices that made this Londoner gasp. On a Sunday night, visitors could get a room for £62. Add on a tenner and two people could have breakfast included. The hotel is brilliantly located for public transport, being situated almost above Deansgate Station and on a central road plied by Manchester’s yellow Bee Network buses.

My experience began with a friendly welcome at Reception, after which I caught my breath in the lobby, having enjoyed a 20-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly station. The wall-sized mural of a steam train was apt since part of the hotel is set into an old railway arch. There was an eye-catching and mesmerising light installation, a sculptural series of interconnecting hoops that changed colour.

The idea of the Aloft By Marriott brand is to provide a tech-forward experience with social spaces rather than upmarket luxury facilities. Alongside the lobby is the W XYZ Bar that serves signature cocktails and craft drinks. There is also a small Re: fuel area where guests can purchase drinks and snacks, as well as a games room with a pool table and a few board games. While I do not have a pet, those who wish to travel with theirs can do so as part of the hotel’s pet-friendly ARF program.

On checking in to the Deluxe King Room, I found a spacious area decorated in a minimalist manner with a comfy bed, hanging space and drawers, two small side tables and chairs. The bathroom was small yet had a well-sized rain shower. The rooms are referred to as lofts, which is slightly confusing if you are expecting a New York-type loft experience. The colour palette was muted – taupe, grey and charcoal – which gave a somewhat austere effect, lightened with a pop of colour behind the bed where there was an attractive assemblage of framed prints all relating to Manchester.  

A rug would have warmed up the space well, but I expect that costs are being kept down by keeping the furnishings simple. At this price point, there can be no complaints. This is not the sort of hotel where you will find gowns and slippers or Nespresso machines, but it is the sort of hotel that is comfortable, affordable and is within walking distance to much of what you might want to see in the city. In addition, there is a sizeable breakfast room where a buffet selection includes the Full English along with continental offerings such as viennoiserie, cheese and charcuterie.

We spent three days walking the length and breadth of Manchester from Aloft By Marriott, feeling no need for the public transport so easily available alongside the hotel. There is a lot to see very close by. The AVIVA Centre is located on a canal and in its cavernous space we enjoyed a thought-provoking exhibition of Ai Weiwei’s installations.

On another day we walked a half hour to the Whitworth Gallery where we saw an excellent exhibition of Japanese prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige. Don’t miss having tea or lunch in the stunning extension that houses the restaurant. A long glass box is set into a park and must surely be one of the most beautiful locations for a museum restaurant in the UK.

We ate very well during our stay at Aloft By Marriott – all within walking distance of the hotel. Indian street food at Bundobust, really tasty Thai at Exhibition, and a wholesome bowl of ramen at New Wave Ramen. On a previous visit, we headed to the regenerated neighbourhood of Ancoats for a rather splendid tasting menu at the Michelin-starred Mana, the chef having trained at Noma.

Manchester is a fascinating city where visitors can trace the history of the city with its restored mills, now housing apartments and restaurants, and the red-brick towers that evoke the Victorian era during which the city flourished.  These are now cheek by jowl with 21st-century architecture and the vibrancy of a multi-cultural hub in a city flourishing once again. Aloft By Marriott is a hotel in the centre of the action that offers excellent value for money. On the weekend of our visit, Manchester was hosting Megacon 2026. Sharing a lift with a few elves and creatures from the gaming world on their way to the nearby convention centre was a magical start to the day.

FACT BOX

Our travel to Manchester was gifted by Avanti West Coast trains, which travel from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly in just over 2 hours. Our Premium Economy Seats (travellers can buy a £40 upgrade on a standard ticket while on the train) provided us with a guaranteed table and plugs so that it is convenient to work on a laptop while travelling. The seats are more comfortable than in standard class and offer more legroom. First class seats are also available on the train, and at this level, food and beverages are included in the ticket price.

Aloft By Marriott, 325 Deansgate, M3 4LQ Manchester

Avanti West Coast trains can be booked online.

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