Manchester....what would you advise :)

[bee86]

Hi all,

Next weekend myself and my Dbf are heading over to Manchester for the weekend!! I'm so excited!!!
We decided that this year instead of buying presents we would do a nice weekend away as a Xmas/ graduation present for him( he graduated as a science teacher last month).
He's a huge Man U fan so we are taking in the game on Saturday and he wants to go to some pub, bishops something or other?! Any match day tips??

Anyway, from a girly point of view( I'm not into football ) what's nice to do in Manchester, where would you recommend to eat out, go for a few drinks etc. Maybe even a spa???hehe( I can dream)
Is it easy/ expensive to get from the airport to the city centre?
Any areas to avoid?

We are staying in the arora Manchester so as far as I know that's in the city itself.

Any help or advice would be brilliant!!!

Eva

 

[darthtatty]

Lucky you, Id love to go to a Man Utd Match at OT. If you don't want to go

He cant be that big a Man Utd fan, if you're calling them Man U

Theres usually a few on here, who live in Manchester or go there a lot but I know theyre on holiday or busy working today.
Im sure they'll reply soon.

Ive been there a few times and usually we eat in the Printworks, theres a few places there. My husband was in Manchester last week and ate in the Pizza hut, he only found out on his last day, theres a TGI's in Manchester City centre now. That would be good for a few cocktails.
We usually shop at the Trafford centre, its not far from the footie ground.
Not sure about a spa, does the hotel offer any extra things like this?

I hope you have a fab time.

 

[bee86]

Hahaha to be honest he would probably kill me for the Man U reference.... I just don't get it myself lol he's soooo into the whole footballing world it's bordering on crazy although he will say the same about me and Disney so I can't complain too much!!

Awww that's brilliant to know, that would be great for a few sneaky cocktails!! Yes I have heard from the little bit of research I have done that the Trafford centre is the place to shop so nice to get some back up that that is where you would normally go.

I'm honesty so excited even though I'm not into football in the slightest we haven't been away together out of the country since 2010 so it's a really big deal to me I'm trying to do a little bit of background planning before we go even if it's last minute hehe

 

[darthtatty]

The football reference doesn't really bother me but ive been on forums & bits on Facebook and boy do they get annoyed. Its more to do with the reference being associated with the Munich air disaster.
just found an article-
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/95405-its-united-not-man-u

My husband went on a week long course in Manchester, we went with him and kept ourselves busy most days. I just wasn't very impressed with the city, although closer to Christmas I bet it will be nice.
The football stadium is impressive, I hope youre sitting somewhere good. I know a few season ticket holders and they sit high up and still get a decent view. We've done the stadium tour too & the shop was massive. Its been refurbished since I was last there, so im not sure how it is now.
I know theres a whole row of pubs near the ground, they'll be manic one the day.
Usually we do a theatre show in the city centre and then go to the Trafford centre the next day.

great idea to have a weekend away, rather than presents.
Im not getting much for Christmas as my husband bought me a treadmill in June for my birthday & Christmas present.

 

[Tinks1984]

Manchester is a difficult one really! It’s quite a spaced out place. By that I mean, Old Trafford isn’t in the town centre, or remotely near to it. It’s more over towards Salford Quays. It’s easy enough by taxi, but not within walking distance back I’d say. Of course there’s the metro-link too, which I think goes over that way on a certain line (but I don’t know which one, sorry!).

Same with the Trafford Centre, it’s not in the town centre at all. It’s again a bus or taxi ride away from the city centre. But is very good for shopping, but will be extremely busy at this time of year. Then again, so will the town centre! Trafford Centre is also good for food, as it has its own food court, which has more casual eateries downstairs, but then the sit-down places upstairs. TGI Friday’s, American Bar & Grill and Est Est Est are all very nice places if you end up over that way. They also have a cinema, which just has got the new iMax in there if you want to catch a film.

Town centre wise, you’re looking at the Arndale Centre for shopping and then The Printworks for nightlife (which is indoors if the weather is poor!). The Arndale centre has your usual shops (and a Disney Store ) and then its own food court, but not as good as Trafford’s.

Hope you have a fab weekend and get to see plenty things. Of course, at the moment, the Christmas Markets are also on in the town centre too. I believe they’re extremely busy, but as a couple I think you’d both be okay plodding around there and enjoying a mulled wine or two

 

[luke]

Manchester is a great city, pity you have to spoil your time there by going to watch Man U

As has been said, old Trafford is pretty much in salford rather than Manchester itself, only time I've ever been there we drove and parked near to the ground.

I'd echo the thoughts on the Trafford Centre for shopping and eating or the Printworks for eating and drinking (also the odeon there is a good one to catch a film, especially in the Gallery section which has a bar and is all inclusive for food and soft drinks)

 

[bee86]

OMG I hope I didn't offend in my ignorance I knew nothing about the united reference!! Gosh that's just terrible of me very sorry!!!

As for all the advice thank you thank you thank you I hadn't even heard of the print works until you all mentioned it, it sounds like the type of place we might like. Thanks also for the heads up on the locations and crowds as to be honest I imagined that it's all very close by and didn't factor in getting a taxi/bus to the Trafford centre. And in my happy I'm going away state of mind I didn't factor the crowds in at all!!!(what is wrong with me lol)

I think after hearing all this it will be early morning Trafford centre followed by evenings in the print works or catching a movie.

Thanks again for all of the info really appreciate it

 

[luke]

The Printworks has a Hard Rock Cafe too for that Florida style fix

 

[bee86]

The Printworks has a Hard Rock Cafe too for that Florida style fix

Woooohooo I can smell the cocktails hahahaha I'll make a trip there one of the nights

 

[darthtatty]

OMG I hope I didn't offend in my ignorance I knew nothing about the united reference!! Gosh that's just terrible of me very sorry!!!

As for all the advice thank you thank you thank you I hadn't even heard of the print works until you all mentioned it, it sounds like the type of place we might like. Thanks also for the heads up on the locations and crowds as to be honest I imagined that it's all very close by and didn't factor in getting a taxi/bus to the Trafford centre. And in my happy I'm going away state of mind I didn't factor the crowds in at all!!!(what is wrong with me lol)

I think after hearing all this it will be early morning Trafford centre followed by evenings in the print works or catching a movie.

Thanks again for all of the info really appreciate it

Oh don't worry, just be careful using the term if you go on any Man Utd forums....not that I think you will

I did think you were a bit mad going this close to Christmas but Im sure youll have fun. Sometimes I enjoy going shopping this time of year, as the hustle & bustle just makes me even more excited.
I thought as you had the football planned, you would have worked out about how far it was from the hotel to there.
I know trains run that way (we see them when we're in the car) but not sure if they stop anywhere near the ground....... Just looked and they have their own station next to the ground.
oooh just seen the trams go somewhere near there.
This is a page I found, its the 1st one I looked at. So not sure if its any good.
http://www.manchester.com/sport/united/old-trafford-travel.php

perhaps you could get a bus/taxi from the football stadium to the Trafford centre. Although, if its just the weekend you could just spend the rest of your time in the city centre.

I hope you have a brilliant time but more importantly that United win

 

[A Small World]

You can get a train from Manchester Airport directly into the City centre - The station is linked to all 3 terminals by walkways. Trains are every 10 mins or so and will take approx 20 mins to reach Picadilly station.

Ive had a quick look at where your hotel is and it will be easy to walk from Piccadilly station as its close to Picadilly Gardens.

This is in the heart of the city - very close to the Arndale Shopping Centre, the Christmas markets and the Print works. If you are only there for a weekend I would just stay in the centre and soak up the atmosphere and not bother with trying to get out to the Trafford Centre.

The tram system is very good and there is a stop at Old Trafford which I think is only used on match days otherwise there are a few other stops within 15 mins walk
http://www.metrolink.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

I assume you have got your tickets for the match already as I don't know if its still the case but it used to be very difficult to get tickets for Man Utd matches

 

[bee86]

Thanks a million to everyone for there help!!! Just about to board so excited for the weekend ( but nervous for the flight week )

 

[pampat]

If you are in the city centre and fancy afternoon tea, cocktails or pretty people watching, try the Beetham Tower. You can't miss it, it is the tallest building in the city, and in the Deansgate area. There is a Hilton Hotel which takes up the bottom half of the building. At the top of the hotel is the most amazing lounge area, it's called Cloud 23 as it's on the 23rd Floor. They do amazing cocktails, all themed to the area - one has cotton candy on the top, to celebrate the towns cotton industry. It is madly expensive but well worth it.

Pam

 

[darthtatty]

Thanks a million to everyone for there help!!! Just about to board so excited for the weekend ( but nervous for the flight week )

Hope you have a brilliant weekend, enjoy the football game.

 

[bee86]

If you are in the city centre and fancy afternoon tea, cocktails or pretty people watching, try the Beetham Tower. You can't miss it, it is the tallest building in the city, and in the Deansgate area. There is a Hilton Hotel which takes up the bottom half of the building. At the top of the hotel is the most amazing lounge area, it's called Cloud 23 as it's on the 23rd Floor. They do amazing cocktails, all themed to the area - one has cotton candy on the top, to celebrate the towns cotton industry. It is madly expensive but well worth it.

Pam

Didnt make it here, time ran out on me im afraid but I have popped in my notebook for next time we go as a must do Thanks for the advice!

You can get a train from Manchester Airport directly into the City centre - The station is linked to all 3 terminals by walkways. Trains are every 10 mins or so and will take approx 20 mins to reach Picadilly station.

Ive had a quick look at where your hotel is and it will be easy to walk from Piccadilly station as its close to Picadilly Gardens.

This is in the heart of the city - very close to the Arndale Shopping Centre, the Christmas markets and the Print works. If you are only there for a weekend I would just stay in the centre and soak up the atmosphere and not bother with trying to get out to the Trafford Centre.

The tram system is very good and there is a stop at Old Trafford which I think is only used on match days otherwise there are a few other stops within 15 mins walk
http://www.metrolink.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

I assume you have got your tickets for the match already as I don't know if its still the case but it used to be very difficult to get tickets for Man Utd matches

Thanks a million for all the information, it was a life saver
I was so busy before I went, I didnt have any time to properly research and ended up like a headless chicken having a last min panic!! The advice on the tram made my trip run a lot smoother

 

[bee86]

Well back to reality after a lovely weekend in Manchester.

It was very go go go, so my idea of having some girly time in a spa was just a dream. It was a very busy "boys" weekend!
Our flight got delayed on the way out and it was a horrendous take off and landing due to the weather, so my the time we arrived at the hotel it was about 9.30pm.
We checked in at the arora hotel, and the guy who checked us in was not very helpful at all. Very rude. He clearly just wanted to go home. We got to the room, dumped our bags and decided to go to the hotel bar/ restaurant for some food and a drink............eeek

We got down the stairs and there must have been a christmas party on or something, but the place was a mess. And someone had been sick and it hadnt been cleaned up Normally I would report this at reception just to let them know, but the guy had been so unfriendly I decided not to bother.
We ended up going to tesco express and grabbing some pre packed sandwiches, how romantic lol they were pretty good though lol, did the trick.
The next day was match day, and I stress DAY. In my head I had planned for some shopping or a nice meal after the match but alas this was not to happen.
We met some friends who had come over for the day and after breakfast we went to the bishops blaize. I wasnt sure if I would like this as Im a girly girl, how ever after a few drinks I was soon singing away with the rest of them, Great craic as we say.
So on to the match, the atmosphere was amazing, I had a great time taking it all in.
After this, we had to queue to get into the United shop and by the time we got back out the heavens had opened. We all got soaked. It was about 5.30/6ish at this stage. So we got the tram back in and went for dinner in wetherspoons which was one of the closest restaurants to the tram.
So no getting glammed up for a romantic meal for me, what had I been thinking lol
The next morning was a walk into the arndale shopping centre which was lovely but of course very crowded. I looked around here for a few hours and then we headed back to the airport.

Here I must add that, there were some new staff on reception when we were checking out and they went out of their way to help us with any requests that we had, like booking a taxi for the airport and printing boarding passes. We had originally said no way would we stay there again, but after the second encounter with the much more friendly and positive staff I would say we would stay there again. It was in a great location within walking distance to everything.

Over all we had a lovely weekend and I really enjoyed the city. Would love to go back on a non match weekend so I could really explore it.
Thank you all for your help it was invaluable

 

[jessibelle]

It's a shame you came on such a busy weekend... Match day/Christmas Markets/Last weekend before Christmas.

Usually match days aren't that bad, the crowds disperse quite quickly. I'd definitely recommend coming in the summertime too because there is usually a nice summer pop-up bar area in Spinningfields (just off Deansgate) which then shows movies on a big screen with deck chairs etc. It's lovely and relaxing, if not sometimes a little busy.

 

[bee86]

It's a shame you came on such a busy weekend... Match day/Christmas Markets/Last weekend before Christmas.

Usually match days aren't that bad, the crowds disperse quite quickly. I'd definitely recommend coming in the summertime too because there is usually a nice summer pop-up bar area in Spinningfields (just off Deansgate) which then shows movies on a big screen with deck chairs etc. It's lovely and relaxing, if not sometimes a little busy.

Aww I think it was the Christmas factor and not the match day! I meant for me, it would have been nice not to go to a match at all and have a nice weekend in the city with out rushing haha your summertime idea sounds perfect!

 

[darthtatty]

sounds like you had a good time, I did wonder if youd get much chance to do anything with it being so close to Christmas and the match taking up a lot of your day..
hopefully youll get chance to go back during the summer months, its a great place to go.

 

[The Saints]

That sounds fantastic!! We went over to Bansko in Bulgaria over Christmas and enjoyed learning how to ski - our entire family went (14 No) on the condition that we didn't buy each other presents (kids excepted)

We all had an absolutely fantastic time - great skiing, patient instructors and very, very cheap food and drink!!!