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The Edwardian Hotel, Manchester

Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP, United Kingdom. (show on map)

The Edwardian Manchester is a masterclass in blending history with high-end luxury. Housed within the iconic Grade II-listed Free Trade Hall, the hotel occupies a site famously linked to the 1819 Peterloo Massacre. Originally designed by Edward Walters in the 1850s, the building served as a monument to the repeal of the Corn Laws and later became the legendary home of the Hallé Orchestra.

Stepping inside, you’ll find a seamless fusion of Victorian grandeur and modern style. While the exterior retains its dramatic Italianate Renaissance architecture, the interiors have been reimagined with sophisticated marble, brass, and velvet. Look closely at the reception area and you might spot the original city crests that once hung over the auditorium entrance, a subtle nod to the building’s storied musical and political past.

The hotel is steeped in cultural lore; this very venue famously saw Bob Dylan transition from folk to electric in 1966, shocking audiences and changing music history forever. Beyond the music, the space has welcomed everyone from suffragette leaders to world-renowned politicians, making it much more than just a place to stay.

Its central location on Peter Street puts you at the heart of the action. You are mere steps away from the majestic Manchester Central Library, the bustling Spinningfields business district, and the high-end shopping of Deansgate. Whether you’re visiting for the nearby Bridgewater Hall concerts or simply to soak in the city’s industrial heritage, you’re perfectly placed to explore Manchester’s most vibrant attractions.

Expert reviews

Fodors review:

“In the heart of the city, this elegant option invites you to unwind with its atmospheric spa (complete with a urban subterranean swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms and cutting-edge gym), luxurious afternoon teas, and memorable dining including contemporary Japanese and Mexican small plates in Peter Street Kitchen.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Manchester.

Lonely Planet review:

“Gladstone, Dickens and Fitzgerald…just some of the names associated with the historic Free Trade Hall, now an elegant business hotel with high-end trimmings and decor. It has done its best to preserve the memories of the building’s most famous visitors.”

Telegraph review:

“This five-star hotel, set in one of Manchester’s grandest buildings, the Free Trade Hall, often hosts celebrity visitors to the city (Simon Cowell and Sven-Goran Eriksson among them). Guests will enjoy the spa and unique restaurant, and the location’s also handy for visitors to the Manchester Central Convention Centre.”

Guest rating

4.5 out of 5.0

Ranked 6th in Manchester


This an aggregated guest review rating of The Edwardian Hotel, Manchester. We have taken customer review ratings from hotel booking sites, search engines, the official hotel website and other travel platforms. This is the average of all those ratings. We only list places that have a guest review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5.0


What guests liked


Value for Money

89.87 %

Ranked 6th in Manchester


We use a smart algorithm to determine the value for money each hotel offers. The score is based on a combination of aggregated guest review ratings and the average nightly rate. The higher the percentage, the better the overall value you receive for the price you pay.


Location

Recent guest reviews

4.5
Lily

14 June 2026

Superb service and excellent stay

The room was spacious, spa was great and the bar was excellent.

It’s hard to say as we enjoyed every minute of our stay

5.0
Courtney

12 June 2026

Amazing place for a city break!

Spa access was amazing

5.0
Sharna

12 June 2026

Perfect from beginning to end

The hotel was beautiful and in a perfect location. I would also definitely recommend their breakfast when you stay, worth the money as the foods and drinks are very tasty. I would be coming back again and would recommend this hotel to everyone I know.

Nothing at all, it was perfect.

5.0
James

9 June 2026

Fantastic service, lovely room and the spa was top class. Great stay

The service was impeccable and friendly throughout. Location perfect for Manchester central, staff allowed us to check in early and upgraded our room.

Nothing

5.0
Margot

8 June 2026

I really enjoyed it!

Everything was great

4.0
Sandra

7 June 2026

Lovely spa hotel in a great location

Location great, rooms of good size and comfortable bed, good choice at breakfast, bar ambience and attention of staff great, spa and gym well equipped

Spa area very busy, one of our towels in the bedroom had a large hole in it and there was only 2 pillows in one of the rooms although they quickly brought up another 2.

4.5
Jonny

7 June 2026

Very welcoming, elegant and comfortable stay; thoroughly enjoyed

Clean and smelt lovely, staff were lovely on arrival and special shoutout to Kyan for a flawless check in service

There were no complimentary snack options in the room which I feel would be a great addition

5.0
Gareth

7 June 2026

Super location, very clean rooms and super friendly staff. A fantastic stay.

Great location, super clean and amazing staff.

Nothing not to like.

4.0
Mona

7 June 2026

I recommend this hotel the staff are amazing

“The hotel is conveniently located near the city center, shopping areas, and restaurants. The interior of the hotel is elegant, quiet, and relaxing.”

I didn’t like the swimming time for the kids , although they give me time for my kids I noticed several couples showing affection in front of the children. As a Muslim, I felt uncomfortable with this behavior, and it did not align with my personal values and expectations for a family-friendly environment.”

5.0
Monica

6 June 2026

Very helpful and accommodating staff. Food and drinks were great

Clean, good size, great staff.

AC in room didn’t go below 18 degrees

5.0
Lauren

6 June 2026

Helped make our wedding day the most relaxed and efficient it could be. Our stay was top notch, and a big thank you to G

We came for our wedding day, and we were met with the most excellent service and stay. Staff were so friendly and attentive, with a massive mention to Gary from the concierge desk who went above and beyond for us! Our room was perfect, the best wast so comfortable and the breakfast was top notch! We will be back to celebrate our wedding anniversary in the future.

Nothing.

5.0
Watipaso

4 June 2026

One of a kind

It made me feel like luxury if that makes sense. I’ve never felt more relaxed in my life. On top of that, that is the best hotel gym I’ve ever been to in my life. Will be returning.

That I didn’t stay long enough but I didn’t dislike anything

4.0
John

3 June 2026

Excellent hotel right in city centre - Breakfast is fantastic

Lovely hotel right in city centre. facilities are excellent

Nothing

4.5
Luke

3 June 2026

Myself and my partner loved the hotel, the location was fantastic for our needs

It was modern and stylish

Nothing

4.5
Barbara

3 June 2026

Excellent Hotel with fantastically attentive staff

Very comfortable, clean business hotel in a great location. The staff is exceptionally helpful and attentive.
Rooms are well-equipped, quiet and spacious, with good lighting (in case one needs to work).

As a place to eat the Library was a disappointment - very small portions, cheese straight out of the fridge. Again the staff was great but the food was disappointing. I did not intend to eat there but the main restaurant was closed on Monday. A strange choice given that a Congress was in town nearby.

5.0
Michelle

1 June 2026

Excellent can't wait to come back!!

Clean, contemporary, location

Nothing

4.0
Yuliya

31 May 2026

Great hotel with fantastic facilities.

The hotel has the perfect location right in the city centre. The room was spacious and clean. The staff were very friendly and professional. The staff in the restaurant were so good and food was fantastic, exceeded my expectations. The gym is one of the best once I've ever visited, all new equipment. Spa was great as well. All in all, really good experience.

One of the lifts wasn't working which caused a bit of hassle. Also our cards got automatically deactivated at 11am when we were checking out, we just wanted to grab our bags. Reception sorted it tho so all good.

5.0
Tamlin

30 May 2026

It’s very good. But 5 star is pushing it.

Beautiful hotel and staff were charming

It’s a little pricy for the standard of the rooms. Nicely furnished but not 5 star and carpet was quite marked. It’s very good. But 5 star is pushing it.

5.0
Karen

30 May 2026

A brilliant stay in a very good quality hotel.

I liked everything about this hotel. The staff were wonderful, always smiling and helpful. Our bedroom was comfy and very well designed. Bar, restaurants and theatres are nearby.

4.0
Antonio

30 May 2026

Fantastic first impression with Gary… what a passionate man! 👍🏻

Fantastic location, decent Breakfast.

The toilet door and room connections door was not very sound friendly. Some of the stuff looked like that it was a favour for us that they are working .

5.0
Craig

29 May 2026

Well after a long stay in different hotels in Manchester and different other places my review of this hotel is that the

The hotel is very welcoming. It’s a nice laid out hotel with different features from Manchester.

There could be a few more things going on in the foyer and they could open the bars longer than 10 pm for people that would like a drink after their meal in the evening

5.0
Kirsty

28 May 2026

The staff are incredible as well as the facilities

Breakfast was incredible, they were extremely accommodating.
The location was perfect, right next to the tram so travel was easy. Food spots all around :)

That we couldn’t stay for longer! We loved it so much and will definitely be back

4.0
Watorski

28 May 2026

Over all a lovely stay!

Location was good and recommended carpark was very close, and discounted so very good. Although there are steps if you are carrying a lot like I was, is a short-term pain.
Cole on Concierge duty - what an incredible chap, totally understands how to make a customer feel special, and valued, couldn't do enough for me, polite and wonderful beaming smile on arrival too - he's a credit to the hotel
Facilities very nice, didn't use the dining area, but the pool which although small was very nice, sauna and steam room too.
Lovely room too - thank you again Cole.

In room dining, was delivered by a lovely lady but have to say the burger and chips was pretty bland, not a great deal of flavour at all. 6/10
Also, while you are charged a £3.50 additional amount for having in room dining which I understand there was also a £2.50 service charge, which luckily I spotted - and it was kindly removed, this I thought was a bit cheeky as surely this is covered in £3.50? and I wonder how many don't spot it?
Exceeding temps meant that maybe the air con was struggling as wasn't the best.

4.5
Phillip

27 May 2026

Great hotel with excellent staff and facilities in a central location

Liked Suite 1411 because we could open the window and had a balcony. Faced a quiet side of the building. The shower was unbelievable - the best water flow we have experienced anywhere. The bed was firm and the hotel found firm pillows for us. All you had to do was ask; e.g. for firm pillows, a better iron, extra sheets, anything. The room decor was beautiful. Lighting was good too and easy to mange.

A pity there was not a sink in the bar/fridge area. Some additional shelving in the sink area would have been nice too. Air conditioning struggled a bit in the heat. Struggled to find food that suited us in Peters restaurant even withe sauces on the side.

5.0
Jasmin

27 May 2026

A wonderful stay I’d recommend !

Very clean and beautiful interiors, lovely bed and spa was great

That I couldn’t stay for longer!

4.0
Joe

25 May 2026

Great hotel bad lifts

Can’t fault the staff, the room and the breakfast

2 lifts for a hotel with over 250 rooms is ridiculous, waiting time for them is easily 15 minutes. We tried to take the stairs which ended up only being a fire escape and no access to the ground floor due to the doors being locked and no through route so had to go back up to the lift and wait longer

5.0
Tracey

25 May 2026

Perfect pre wedding stay

Lovely modern hotel with excellent staff, especially Gary the concierge.

Nothing not to like

5.0
Catherine

24 May 2026

Amazing hotel, exceptional staff

Beautiful bedrooms and friendly staff

Nothing

4.0
Adam

23 May 2026

Brilliant father son football trip to Manchester made more special by being so well looked after at

Myself and my son travelled to watch Manchester United play, we were very well looked after by Anna on arrival, including arranging transport to and from the match for us - this was very helpful as my son is 10, and I preferred not to have to use public transport on match day. The hotel breakfast was very good, the bar was a good place to chill out - and the hotel is located just across the road from Blacklock which was a brilliant steak restaurant to eat at.

The rooms were a bit dated and i would have expected a higher standard of bedding and furniture in the room.

Hotel facilities

Food & Drink

  • - Restaurant
  • - Bar
  • - Breakfast in the room
  • - Special diet menus (on request)

General

  • - Room service
  • - Non-smoking rooms
  • - Facilities for disabled guests
  • - Family rooms
  • - Lift
  • - Soundproof rooms
  • - Heating
  • - Non-smoking throughout
  • - Air conditioning
  • - Designated smoking area

Business facilities

  • - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
  • - Fax/photocopying

Reception services

  • - 24-hour front desk
  • - Express check-in/check-out
  • - Currency exchange
  • - Luggage storage
  • - Concierge service
  • - Invoice provided

Activities

  • - Sauna
  • - Fitness centre
  • - Spa & wellness centre
  • - Massage (additional charge)
  • - Indoor pool
  • - Indoor pool (all year)
  • - Spa facilities
  • - Steam room
  • - Spa lounge/relaxation area
  • - Spa/wellness packages
  • - Back massage
  • - Neck massage
  • - Head massage
  • - Full body massage
  • - Fitness
  • - Personal trainer
  • - Fitness/spa locker rooms

Cleaning services

  • - Laundry (additional charge)
  • - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
  • - Ironing service (additional charge)
  • - Trouser press
  • - Daily housekeeping

Parking

  • - Accessible parking

Accessibility

  • - Wheelchair accessible

Pool and wellness

  • - Sun loungers or beach chairs
  • - Swimming pool

Miscellaneous

  • - 24-hour security
  • - Key access
  • - Key card access
  • - Security alarm
  • - Smoke alarms
  • - CCTV in common areas
  • - CCTV outside property
  • - Fire extinguishers
  • - Breakfast takeaway containers
  • - Delivered food is securely covered
  • - Access to health care professionals
  • - Face masks for guests available
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