The Britannia Hotel Manchester City Centre is one of the most architecturally impressive budget hotels in northern England. It occupies Watts Warehouse, a Grade II* listed Victorian building on Portland Street that was designed in the 1850s as a showpiece for a textile merchant, in an extravagant Italianate style with carved stonework, grand windows and a rich interior. The warehouse once displayed and sold fabrics from all over the world, and it is a reminder of the scale of Manchester’s Victorian wealth. Today it has been converted into a large hotel, and although the interiors have been modernised, the building keeps its sense of drama. The hotel is a good value option in the centre of the city, with a restaurant, a bar and a range of room types. The location is excellent for sightseeing, because Piccadilly Gardens, the Northern Quarter, Chinatown and Manchester Art Gallery are all within a few minutes’ walk, and the main stations are nearby. It suits travellers who want a central base at a sensible price.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on Portland Street, a three-minute walk from Piccadilly Gardens, which is the main hub for trams and buses. Chinatown is next door, the Northern Quarter around ten minutes away, and Manchester Art Gallery and St Peter’s Square about five minutes. Piccadilly station is roughly ten minutes on foot, and Oxford Road station about fifteen. Metrolink trams from Piccadilly Gardens reach Old Trafford and the Etihad Campus easily.
Rooms
Rooms range from standard doubles to larger family rooms and some suites, with simple but comfortable furnishings. The sizes and shapes vary because of the historic building. Standard rooms are practical rather than luxurious, so it is worth reading recent guest reviews when you choose a room and a rate. Ask for a room on an upper floor, away from Portland Street, if you are sensitive to noise.
Who it suits
Budget-conscious travellers, groups of friends on a weekend, families who need space, and football fans visiting for a match. It is less suited to guests who want a polished boutique experience, and recommendations differ by room, so manage expectations accordingly.
Good to know
Breakfast may be included or sold as an extra, depending on the rate. There is no large dedicated car park, so check parking options and costs ahead of time. Because the hotel has a large number of rooms, it is often available when smaller hotels are full, which makes it a useful fallback on busy weekends. Piccadilly Gardens and Portland Street can be busy at night, so keep valuables secure as you would in any city centre.
Why stay here
- ✓Grade II* listed Watts Warehouse
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Three minutes from Piccadilly Gardens
- ✓Next to Chinatown
- ✓Family rooms available
- ✓Central tram and bus links
- ✓Walk to Manchester Art Gallery
- ✓Value-priced city-centre rooms
Good questions
What is the Britannia Hotel building?+
It is Watts Warehouse, a Grade II* listed Victorian textile warehouse built in the 1850s on Portland Street.
How close is the hotel to Piccadilly Gardens?+
It is about a three-minute walk, with trams and buses to the stadiums and Salford Quays.
Is the Britannia Hotel good value?+
It is one of the more affordable city-centre options, with a central location and a landmark building.