We all love a city break; they’re quick, affordable and offer an easy taste of destinations that deliver on everything from great food to must-see attractions— often all within walking distance. Because of the convenience, it’s natural to look to the sunny cities with beaches and pools at your fingertips, but this means we tend to forget the amazing cities we have on our doorstep.
Manchester, England’s ‘Capital of the North’ and one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, is famed for its friendly locals, thriving street culture, and rich industrial heritage. In fact, it offers the perfect blend of modern energy and historic charm.
CitySuites II, the second of the brand’s aparthotels, is just a five-minute walk from the city centre and offers stunning views of Manchester Cathedral.
ROOMS AND FACILITIES
The benefits of an aparthotel over a standard hotel room don’t truly become apparent until you stay in one—then, suddenly, it’s obvious. The rooms at CitySuites II combine the comforts of a hotel with the familiarity of home. Designed to suit both short- and long-stay guests, they follow a minimalist palette of grey and cream, accented with colourful soft furnishings, and include a fully equipped kitchen with dining and living areas, satellite television, and White Company toiletries.
City breaks and extensive legwork go hand in hand, often demanding a well-earned pitstop back at the hotel to recuperate before dinner. An unexpected delight of staying at CitySuites II is the ability to crash on the sofa or unwind at the dining table with a glass of wine after a long day of exploring—rather than awkwardly propping yourself up on a bed in your daytime clothes or attempting to relax in a chair that values style over comfort. It’s a luxury typically afforded to those that frequent penthouse suites, but here it’s at a fraction of the price, with a standard room starting from just £140 per night.
Self-catering stays can sometimes leave us feeling a bit shortchanged, often suggesting a pared-back accommodation style stripped of luxuries. But that’s not the case at CitySuites II, where breakfast is included in your stay and guests can enjoy complimentary access to a pool, whirlpool tub, gym, and steam room.
FOOD AND DRINK
An à la carte breakfast is served at the neighbouring Embankment Kitchen, featuring all the classics—like a full English or eggs Benedict—alongside more adventurous options such as nduja scrambled eggs on toast or Italian sausage and new potato hash. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner, offering a seasonally focused menu that highlights the best quality ingredients from across the North West. A daily happy hour runs from 4pm to 7pm, perfect for a pre-dinner drink, before choosing from a selection of small plates, enticing mains, or crowd-pleasing ‘feast’ platters designed for sharing.
The Fisherman’s Feast (£85)—a spread of garlic and lemon grilled lobster tail, chilli and lime prawns, Thai-style fish cakes, salt and pepper squid, whole plaice in caper butter, beer-battered fish, and crispy whitebait—and the Cave Man (£85), featuring Cajun and lemon half-roast chicken, a 12oz tomahawk steak, Moroccan lamb, garlic mini pizza with feta, chargrilled lamb rump, Cuban-style pulled pork tacos, spicy chicken lollipops, and BBQ chicken wings, are the kind of indulgent feasts that will have you rolling straight to bed.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
The 18-metre swimming pool on the ground floor is a calm sanctuary—the perfect place to start your morning before a busy day in Manchester. It’s clean, modern, and exclusively for guests, so there’s no need to wake up early just to enjoy a quiet swim. The spa pool with powerful massage jets will help you unwind while the built-in steam room delivers the ultimate spa experience.
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
Manchester is definitely not a one-and-done kind of city. With so much to see, do, taste, and buy, you’ll be planning your next trip the moment you leave.
Foodies could easily spend an entire weekend eating their way around the city. If that’s your plan, start with breakfast at Ezra & Gil, grab on-the-go treats from Gooey bakery, indulge in the best banana cream pie of your life at Idle Hands, and book a romantic meal at Kala Bistro.
For culture, Manchester Art Gallery is a stunning building housing an impressive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Explore the Gothic architecture of John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral, then, when evening rolls around, pop by Band on the Wall for a drink and some live music.
To book your stay at CitySuites II visit citysuites.com
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