Travel: City with a divine skyline... What to do with 48 hours in Manchester

It’s safe to say Manchester’s skyline has changed somewhat since our last visit, the best part of a decade ago.

It was still an impressive city back then of course, bustling and vibrant, but upon our recent return we were completely blown away by a crop of towering new glass buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in New York City.

They give the place the feel of a proper metropolis and if the construction cranes are anything to go by, it seems that Manchester’s evolution is far from complete.

Of course, we were lucky enough to have one of the best views in the city – a panoramic vista from the full-height windows of our wonderful suite in the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It’s an impressive building itself, set in the heart of the buzzing university district. Modern and elegant, with a welcoming, open-plan lobby flooded with light, the Hyatt Regency is the perfect base from which to explore.

Our suite was on the top floor, and was one of the most impressive rooms we’ve had the pleasure of calling home for a couple of nights, with an open-plan living/kitchen area tastefully decorated in relaxing tones.

The bedroom and en-suite were equally luxurious. Unpacked, we headed out to explore, and in Manchester, the options are endless. For us, it was a bit of retail therapy in the city centre, which has all the top designer and high-street names you’d expect. It’s a bit of a shopper’s heaven, actually, with a plentiful scattering of top-class malls and high-end districts.

Our shopping bags bulging, we headed back to the comfort of our fabulous suite. There was time for a bit of lounging before dinner, which was booked in the hotel restaurant, The Laureate. It’s a stylish space with a menu catering for all tastes.

We opted for the Cote de boeuf, a melt-in-the-mouth, 24oz slab of perfectly cooked beef, accompanied by fries and roasted veg. When it first arrived we thought we’d never finish it but it was so good we polished off the lot.

A special mention here for Joel, the bar manager, who offered us the chance to try a few of the upcoming spring menu cocktails, all delicious and well worth sampling.

Suitably stuffed and feeling very spoiled, we turned in for the night and after a restful sleep, resurfaced for day two of our Manchester adventure. I had been especially looking forward to this.

Everyone who knows anything about Manchester knows that the city has a deep and historic connection to football. Two of the biggest clubs in the world, United and City, call Manchester home. Being a bit of a football fanatic, I couldn’t resist the chance to take in a little bit of that history.

After a delicious breakfast in The Laureate, we headed towards Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United. The stadium is a short drive from the city centre and easy to find via public transport.

With some time to spare we parked up and made the short walk across the River Irwell to Media City, Salford, where some of the nation’s favourite TV shows are filmed. Media City also offers a selection of bars, restaurants and leisure facilities, and was a great spot to grab a quick lunch before making the trip back to Old Trafford.

If you’re a football fan, it’s well worth the trip for the museum alone. Here you’ll see countless pieces of silverware on display, along with tributes to past and present players, and a multitude of memorabilia, from George Best’s boots to Eric Cantona’s shirt.

Once through the sprawling museum, it was time for the main event – the stadium tour. This included a visit to the dugout and a walk down the tunnel to the pitch. The tour culminated in a stop in the home changing room where there was the chance for excited fans of all ages to have their photo taken sitting on the very benches that players like Ronaldo, Giggs and Rashford have used over the decades.

A short drive back to the Hyatt Regency, and we settled down in the Graduate Bar for an evening of drinks and snacks. The Graduate is a classy and relaxed place to sit back and relax, with an extensive cocktail menu and first-class food.

Check out was 12pm next day, so there was time for one more excellent breakfast in The Laureate restaurant before we hit the road. After a packed couple of days we headed for home, knowing that we hadn’t even scratched Manchester’s surface. We’re already talking about our next visit. Fingers crossed there will be a football game on next time.

P.S.

If you’re a museum or art gallery fan, Manchester is the place for you. The city has dozens of options, from the People’s History museum to the Imperial War Museum, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.