The Cow Hollow Hotel, Manchester

You're a short stroll away from some of the city's most interesting dining options, from Michelin-starred Mana to the Mackie Mayor food hall.

The hotel is in the midst of the Northern Quarter with a wealth of exciting bars, restaurants and arty shops nearby.
By car: 1 hour 20 minutes from Leeds, around an hour from Sheffield and 4 hours from London. Cow Hollow does not offer on-site parking, though you'll find public car parks nearby.
By train: Manchester Picadilly is a five-minute walk from the hotel, serviced by trains from London Euston (2 hours), Chester (1 hour 30 minutes) and Liverpool Lime Street (1 hour). thetrainline.com

Couples looking for a boutique break or friends planning a fun night out in Ancoats or the Northern Quarter will love the hotel. Owners Muj and Amelia Rana have put a lot of thought into the hotel's interiors, making it a refreshing contrast to bland chain options.

It's clear that you're in a small boutique hotel rather than a chain as personable staff are on hand to help you have a memorable stay.

• Bar

• Breakfast in the room

• Room service

• Reception service via WhatsApp

• Superfast Wi-Fi

Rooms at the back of the building can be dark, but have some quirky original features, including bits of machinery from the warehouse.

Standard and Deluxe Rooms
Facilities include: NETFLIX access, Smart TVs, Jacob Jensen tech, Hypnos Beds, 400 TC sheets, Goose down duvets, Bronze rainfall showers, REN ® bathroom products, complimentary Prosecco

The drinks in the bar have fixed prices, taking one of the complications out of choosing a drink.

Cow Hollow Bar: smart, trendy, pre-or post-dinner cocktails. Cocktails £9, wine £7, beer £5 and spirits £5.
There's no restaurant but a complimentary breakfast bag is served to your room in the morning with items such as granola, brioche and a piece of fruit inside.