Manchester Motel One or Ibis Budget Picadilly? (And much more)

I'd like to be able to help but Manchester - other than the cricket ground at Old Trafford - is out of my area of expertise. Sorry

Usually if I'm torn between hotels, I start looking at Google and sometimes TA reviews. I take everything with a grain of salt, but you can find out some good information that way (for example, one review of the Ibis on Google said that there was a tram stop just up the street).

Me, I'd go with the Ibis, but I'm cheap. 🤣

Years ago I would have said , no way to walking in that area at night.
It was, shall we say "post industrial".

But the area has been totally transformed by the Etihad, Manchester City FC, the trams and general urban gentrification.

I wouldn't even think of taking, from memory, the #216 bus from the Etihad. It won't have the capacity unless Stagecoach put on duplicates or an event service. I would take the Metrolink tram 2 stops to New Islington or walk. The Etihad stadium tram stop was built for crowds and has a special purpose designed entrance for event days. The nearest bus stop to the Ibis is at the tram stop anyway, I believe.

But I would more than suspect a lot of other people will be walking back into the city, and I would be happy to do so.

The walk is these days perfectly safe - about 1.5 miles. The only danger is succumbing to a craft beer or a natural wine bar on the way. There are walking routes outlined on the Etihad website.

As you say, there will be many thousands of your new friends doing the same thing. The capacity for the Etihad for concerts is around 60,000.

Edit: I was assuming that you were going to the Etihad Stadium itself, which does host a few concerts each Summer. But this is the new Coop Live Arena in the same area. The advice is the same, except you will only have 23,500 new friends.

Nigel - you really need to correct that. It’s one of the cities in the U.K. to visit at the moment, although it receives very few overseas visitors.

Nigel, you and Mrs. Nigel could always come with me! 🤣🤣

Mardee - all that googling and review reading already done. So thought I would bring it to the experts here! LOL.

isn31c and Johnew52, this is the information I was looking for. The tram (blue line) is indeed the best option and convenient - but the walking distance is fine as well, especially if I opt for the Ibis Budget (which I am now leaning toward). However a natural wine bar along the way afterwards could pose a real danger. 🤣

Yes, popping in to see some of Manchester’s best (since I am a music fan and not a football fan) - excited to hear Guy Garvey in person. The tour is only a week long and the timing too coincidental to resist.

Thank you for reassurance that in this case it is ok to be cheap!

P.S. I laugh at myself and my 23,499 new best friends - but I do always seem to come out of things like this with at least one new friend.

By the way, no one in Manchester refers to the tram lines by colour- it's the Ashton or Rochdale (or whichever) line.

Oh, good to know!

Well, as a music fan you should be prioritising the UK’s music capital. Especially to see Elbow at home. They are one of the finest bands to see live in front of a big crowd - Guy knows how to work an audience.

John, I am excited. I was going to be in Chichester a couple of days later so getting the presale email said it was meant to be. :) I didn’t cheap out on my ticket - so I hope it gets me close enough to see with my own eyes.

Now all I need are plane tickets…..

Mardee - all that googling and review reading already done. So thought I would bring it to the experts here! LOL

TTM, I threw that in more to bump it up than anything--I know you are an expert researcher! 🤣 Glad you got some responses!

Lol! I appreciate the help! I often need all the help I can get. 🤣

I have stayed several times at the comfortable Ibis Manchester Centre.

As the name suggests, it is away from the Man City football pitch but that might not be a bad thing. The centre-of-city location gives easy access to two train stations and other public transport, as well as a cheerful assortment of restaurants and pubs. A good East Asian restaurant was operating on the ground floor of the hotel before the pandemic, and the sprawling University of Manchester's assortment of dining places give it the nickname “Curry Mile”. Since I am interested in the Industrial Revolution, I find plenty of activities in a city that helped mechanize the UK as well as the exertions of the two melodramatic football spectacles.

Thanks for the recommendation, Southam! I was in Manchester for a couple of days last year and I agree it is interesting. I am rather partial to the John Rylands Library at the University. :)

You all are intriguing me with Manchester. In the past, I've always thought of it as a place to avoid when driving through the country, but now I'm interested in a visit there! I don't know if I will be able to manage it on my upcoming trip but maybe on a future one.

Mardee, check out the library….. and the waterfront. I had a couple of really good meals there last year. And 2 free bus lines through the city center. And obviously concerts. 🤣🤣 Somewhere there’s a post specifically about more things to do and see, I think I remember.

Mardee,

Yes Texas TM is right- there is at least one, I think two posts all about Manchester as a destination. I just can't find them!!. The search function is not sufficiently sophisticated.

Whether you could squeeze it in on the train when you are in Liverpool I don't know. There are various routes across from Liverpool but most will do the 40 miles or so it in under the hour. The northern trains at least you should get in advance for between £3 and £4 each way (with a railcard as little as just over £2 each way)- less than the cost of the petrol, let alone the parking.

One of the things we might have missed off (if we can find the threads) is IWM North. Lots of people visit the various branches of the IWM in London, but I don't think I've read on here about anyone going to IWM north at Salford Quays. Dead easy now with the new tram line that stops outside.

If you were really lucky Mersey Ferries do seasonal day trips from Liverpool to Salford Quays- up the Manchester Ship Canal- which delivers (or did) ocean going ships to the heart of Manchester, including passenger liners in it's heyday. It's an all day trip with bus return. Nowadays ocean ships don't really get beyond Warrington (where there is also a transporter bridge- one of only a handful in the UK). But there are also little short trip boats from the Quays up into the City Centre for the start of the Trans Pennine canals which cut through the heart of the city centre.

Canal Street in the City Centre is a thriving night time economy, famously Manchester's gay village, and a stone's throw away is Chinatown- one of the bigger Chinatowns in the UK.

There's things like the L S Lowry centre at the Quays- the well known painter. Again I think that was missed off the threads. As well as the museum there is a visual and performing arts centre at The Lowry. It's actually a good base for Manchester having tram lines on both sides of the canal. Both the BBC and ITV have regional centres out there now. In fact all BBC national news is now broadcast from Salford.

This is a thread from a while back with plenty of ideas about what there is to do. I had a post listing a number of attractions, although I don't think anything on it was definitive.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/a-visit-to-manchester

Mardee - you certainly can't cover all there is to see if just passing through, although picking out an odd site or two might give you an introduction.

Manchester doesn't fit the standard place that many overseas visitors have of the UK. Many come looking for history from a long time ago, royal sites or beautiful countryside. Manchester was the first industrial city and as a result has lots of interest from the Victorians onwards, although there are some Roman ruins as well. It has reinvented itself as a modern urban city and its centre has been revolutionised by over 100,000 people moving back in, many of them young "refugees" from the difficulties of living in London on average wages.

I appreciate you guys making it easy for ME to stay up with this information. I am now feeling like I once again need to arrive a day early. Good thing no flights are purchased yet. I hadn’t thought I would be back - yet here I will be again in May.

I knew Manchester was different - and really didn’t have an expectation of liking it (or not liking it). But I did. So ending up here for a concert felt good.

May is like a trip that keeps having baby trips…..

Thanks, all - I'll see if a pass through is doable, but it does sound inviting enough that I'd like to spend more time here.

TTM, glad you are making it back! And enjoy the concert!

Good advice on the naming of the various tramlines in Manchester. I was getting on a Trafford Centre bound tram at Deansgate/Castlefield last week and a panicking passenger ran up asking "is this the blue line"? I couldn't answer him, I hadn't a clue despite using the trams for years.

briwire, without a heads up on name, that could be me (without the panic - I have given up on panic). Lol. There are similar highways/roads here that we locals call one thing, while Google Maps has an official highway number that after 35 years I have no idea of.

There are similar highways/roads here that we locals call one thing, while Google Maps has an official highway number that after 35 years I have no idea of.

TexasTravelmom, that made me laugh! We have the same thing here in the north rural area of Minnesota. Drives me crazy when I'm trying to plot out directions someplace.

By the way I always forget that there are 1 hour river cruises from Salford Quays (Media City/IWM North)-
https://manchesterrivercruises.com/

It cropped up in a totally unconnected way this morning.

To someone like me who knew the area as run down docks (but once busy, bustling docks in my parents youth) it is a transformation that I can never quite believe.

Thanks for coming back with that, isn31c!

After this thread and the other one mentioned above, I actually added a night before the concert. So I will have about a day and a half. It’s enough time for several things, which will probably include a short cruise if timings work, as well as the IWM North (location seems good). I also came across (unless someone here posted it, which is possible) a list of the oldest pubs in Manchester and will probably search one out. https://secretmanchester.com/oldest-pubs-in-manchester/

I’ll unfortunately have to scoot out early the next morning after Elbow, because I also succumbed to a ticket to see Ian McKellen in Player Kings the following day (and it’s a matinee only day).

Going to see Elbow? Goodness, you are distracting us from answering questions for the Taylor Swift fans off to see her on their first European trip.

(Seriously, reading the first sentence of your question, I was anticipating a Taylor Swift related trip, but then saw the "20,000 of my best new friends" line. She probably has not played a venue that "small" in a decade or more.)

Edit: I think either hotel will be fine, basic, clean, quiet places for most Ibis and Motel One places I stayed.

Hahaha, Paul! Sorry for the distraction! I saw James Taylor in Birmingham and The Proclaimers in Brighton last year. Concerts make such great excuses for trips - that, of course, just HAVE to be extended to make it worthwhile. 🤣

But no ticket for Taylor Swift, although if someone gave me one, I would go. I did check her schedule to make sure I was going to miss all her events with this year’s travel plans - I figure it will be crowded and expensive when she’s in town.

Of the pubs listed, I have been to both Peveril of the Peak and Briton’s Protection. I give a very slight nod to Briton’s Protection, but both were excellent and had a fine pint (or two) at both.

Thanks, Dale! Taking notes!

TTM,

I thought you might be interested in this video about a different facet of Manchester's history- the Suffragette movement.-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZMeZfaGcYk

This is all quite well known over here, but maybe not to our international visitors. In 20 minutes it actually touches on quite a few other things as well.

Thanks! That made an interesting watch! I think you are right that a lot of Americans wouldn’t know. Some of this is covered in the People’s History Museum, I think. I also read a series of rather thick historical fiction books (maybe 30+ years ago?) by R.F. Delderfield that covered Manchester’s significance. Those are probably responsible for peeking my interest.

Texas Travel Mom,

I was just checking for something else on the Avanti website and noticed that your train ticket to London on the day after the concert is due for release this coming week.

I wonder if it's worth booking an £8.90 non cancellable National Express ticket as well on an early bus (or a £34 cancellable ticket) as an insurance against a train strike. Prices will double or more if a strike is announced.

Flixbus don't have a bus early enough. Megabus also have an early bus at £7.99- they run from Shudehill (near Victoria station).

Oh, isn31c, it is DEFINITELY worth the little bit of insurance….. I actually booked Ian McKellen’s play in London the next day (a matinee) and would REALLY hate to miss it for a train strike. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thank you for the thought!

This year’s trips are the trips that refuse to stay put as scheduled. Thus I now have 3 nights in Manchester. Not complaining - it’s just a year of moving targets. And a train strike would be right at home…..

Oh. And I ended up at the Premiere Inn instead of either the Motel One or the Ibis. After I bought my concert ticket, I told my British friend (who introduced me to Elbow). She had missed the concert announcement - lol - but promptly bought her ticket and later booked the Premiere Inn, so I changed my plan. Oh well….

As the original Manchester thread is now closed I'm going to add a few more ideas here, as I've been down today, looking at old newspapers for someone.

There is a new bus, the X50 to the RHS Bridgewater garden from Piccadilly gardens- every 30 minutes from 0945 to 1600, last return at about 1645.

The service runs via IWM north, and runs much earlier and far later to IWM. It is the fastest way to get there, with a 20 minute journey time.

After I had been to Salford Archives I went upstairs to see Salford Art Gallery (for the first time in half a century). The City of Salford had some money in its time. Downstairs is a recreated working class cobbled street, "gas lit". Salford has been reinvented now with the hugely expanded university. It's hard to recognise now, in a wonderfully good way. But I just remember that kind of street from the old Salford.

Salford Cathedral is currently closed for major renovation work.

I saw the open top HoHo bus as well for the first time- it must have been bracing today on the top deck!

More to follow when I get home, or in the next few days.

X50 noted - thank you!

This made me stop and wander through my tentative schedule for Manchester. I am ready!

If anyone is around, I will be there May 11-13 (till about dinner time when I start off to meet all my 23,000 new best friends). I’m thinking I will find a couple of the historic pubs after my sightseeing on the 11th and 12th. (Only one per day ha!)

Re- the X50- the printed timetable doesn't tell you what stop at Pic Gardens is used- and the place is a confusing mess these days as Pic Gardens also covers all kinds of side streets.

So I've just looked it up- the X50 leaves from Stand K (which really is in the Bus Station proper)- here is an elusive map of the place- https://tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/stations/manchester-piccadilly-gardens-bus/station-map

Just been in Manchester again this afternoon totally unexpectedly.

The City Centre free bus route 1 is now running double deckers, or was today on every run I saw. It must have been converted to deckers from minibuses under Phase 2 of Manchester bus franchising a few weeks ago, when it also changed operator. That will make a great free sightseeing circular route!!

Unfortunately I couldn't make time for that today, but was sorely tempted.

Also the travelators from Platform 13 and 14 to the main station at Piccadily are out of use until the end of May.
To 13/14 use Platform 10 and stairs or lift.
From 13/14 use the bridge and stairs or lift to any other platform.

All wonderful details to have. I looked at the Piccadilly Gardens map - and it indeed looks like it would be confusing to just walk into. We’ll see if a free double decker bus fits….but very possible. Lol!

Thank you!

The good news for you is that we have now passed the point when strikes could be announced affecting this Manchester trip, so you won't need the reserve Nat Ex bus ticket to the theatre in London.

For me it is good news as well as on 13 or 14 May I can fit in a personal trip to Manchester- 14 May is my late Mum's birthday and I can finally do Part 2 of a personal trip to parts of Manchester way beyond where tourists would ever visit for certain key places linked to Mum's life. Part 1 was as long ago as last September. This has been postponed several times since last November due to rail strikes every time it has been scheduled- and has been rather frustrating as I've been doing working visits to the City, but not an important personal visit. I did get an e-mail last night that I may have to combine personal and work with a squeezed in visit to Ashton as well. If I have to do that then I lose the visit to the old Mission above one of those suggested historic pubs, which I wanted to get to. You can't win them all.

TexasTravelMum - I should mention this in case you see reference to it in the media and get concerned. The Arena should have opened last week but had to cancel at very short notice as the local police and fire services had not signed off all the safety systems. This is an obviously delicate area after the terrorist incident at the other large arena in Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert 7 years ago.

The cancellations caused a lot of bad publicity as understandably many were upset at the very late cancellations and subsequent losses on hotels, travel etc.

The Arena plans to open this weekend and has a string of shows set ups before Elbow on 14/5. Olivia Rodrigo has two nights and Take That 6 nights before then. So I don't think you should be concerned

Well, this is a lot of news to wake up to! Lol!

isn31c, it IS good news about clearing potential train strike days. I only have one significant train date left for the England portion of this trip (May 26) so am keeping my fingers crossed. And hopefully your excursion to Manchester works out! I was able to do something similar with my brother last November (my mom passed away a little over 2 years ago).

Johnew52, thanks for the heads up! Now I will be keeping my eyes out for the news (which I am bad about doing). I do remember that event - at the time I was worried for a couple of people living in Manchester I had been corresponding with but wasn’t sure where they lived in specific. One lived very close then and one didn’t - my friend who later introduced me to Elbow and I will be meeting for the concert (if all goes well). So yes - safety above all else! But hopefully it all works out. At least if not, it won’t be a surprise.

TTM, Another very last minute cancellation tonight at the Co-op Arena and 2 more cancellations in the coming days- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68937492

Well, they have 13 days to get their ducks in a row, as my dad would say…. :) I think they can do it! Plus my travel luck is generally pretty decent.

And if it doesn’t work out, I will still have had a great few days sightseeing in Manchester before I head on to more great things. Unlike some of the poor people who have traveled solely for a concert and spent a lot of money they can’t recoup. I feel bad for them.

In the words of the BBC overnight, in their highly optimistic tone,

The Co-Op Live fiasco: What next after more cancellation chaos?

Whenever it finally opens - and no-one knows when that'll actually be - the £385m Co-Op Live in Manchester will be the UK's biggest indoor arena, with space for 23,500 people. For now, it's a big, empty box with nothing to show for the hype. Beset by problems, the troubled venue has been widely ridiculed after several high-profile opening gigs, including comedian Peter Kay, were postponed at short notice. Last night it called off another, this time as the audience queued outside. And the embarrassment worsened when it then scrapped this weekend's sold-out concerts by Olivia Rodrigo, one of the world's biggest pop acts. "I'm so bummed," said the star. Thousands of ticket holders are out of pocket for travel and accommodation. Bosses say safety is their priority. With Take That due to play five nights next week, can Co-Op Live finally Shine or will fans still need have a little Patience?

I have just seen a reporter say that the reason for last night's cancellation (during the sound check) was the plunging from the ceiling of an air conditioner unit. Sorry TTM.

Hi TTM! I hope everything works out.

Thanks, Nigel and Barbara! I guess we shall see. This trip is 8 weeks, with lots of great stuff - so I am not stressing. Just watching….. Kinda like the potential train strikes. :)

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