Every now and then I am asked to suggest a hotel in the area I date in, so here are some of my favourites. All of these I consider “friendly” places and unlikely to deter us from enjoying our private time together. If none of these are suitable please give me a call or drop me an email and I’ll do my best to suggest another venue that fits in with your particular needs. (Click on any of the hotel names below to go to their web site for more information.)

MANCHESTER:

The Malmaison – This one time warehouse in Manchester is now a gorgeous boutique hotel with a very theatrical style. With stunning rooms and suites, Mal Manchester is the perfect venue for business trips or luxury city breaks. “The Mal” is very convenient for the main Piccadilly train station in Manchester, and there’s an NCP car park just past it on the left side of the road. Have you tried a MalBurger yet?! Telephone: 0161 278 1000

The Lowry – Manchester’s most fashionable hotel, the award-winning Lowry Hotel is ideally situated on the banks of the River Irwell in the recently-developed Chapel Wharf area on the Salford-Manchester boundary. The first five-star hotel in Greater Manchester, The Lowry Hotel makes a bold contemporary architectural statement with its dramatic, curved, glass-fronted façade that creates a light and airy feel within the hotel interior. The Lowry has it’s own car park right at the front of the building, and is located just across the river Irwell from Deansgate and central Manchester. Telephone: 0161 827 4000

Great John Street Hotel – Only a stones throw from Manchester’s most exclusive shopping areas, restaurants and theatres, this original Victorian school house has been transformed into a chic townhouse hotel with unique, individually designed bedrooms and suites alongside stylish lounges and Oyster Bar. The Old School House also boasts stunning entertainment rooms and terraces available for exclusive use for your own tailor made event. Telephone: 0161 831 3211

The Marriott Worsley Park Hotel and Country Club – Set within 200 acres of beautiful parkland with its own 18 hole championship golf course, and situated only minutes from the motorway network and seven miles from the heart of Manchester city centre. Marriotts have a great menu, either in the restaurant or to order-in from room service! Telephone: 0161 975 2000

The Radisson Edwardian – An award winning hotel, the Radisson Edwardian Manchester Hotel is housed in one of Manchester’s key historic buildings, the historic Free Trade Hall, just moments from Manchester Central Convention Centre. Telephone: 0161 835 9929

Radisson Manchester Airport – The Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester Airport is the only hotel to provide direct access to the airports Terminals 1 and 2 via the Skylink elevated walkway and access Terminals 3 via an airport transfer bus. 360 Bedrooms available in a variety of styles and all their Business Class Rooms and Suites offer panoramic views of Manchester Airport and Manchester Skylines. Telephone: 0161 490 5000

LIVERPOOL:

Jurys Inn Liverpool – Located at Kings Waterfront, adjacent to the Albert Dock and directly opposite the BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, Jurys Inn Liverpool is the perfect solution to your hotel needs, in the heart of all this exciting city has to offer. Parking is easy as it is right by the NCP car park for the Echo Arena, and the hotel is just  a short walk over the bridge to Liverpool 1 with its shops, bars and restaurants. Telephone: 0151 244 3777

The Malmaison Liverpool – Malmaison Liverpool is the place to stay in The Official European Capital of Culture. Perfectly suited for a business trip or luxury weekend break, this is a truly stunning hotel which offers all the luxury you’d expect from a Malmaison boutique hotel. Telephone: 0151 229 5000

Hope Street Hotel – Built around 1860 in the style of a Venetian palazzo – a fashionable look of the day. Reinvented and renovated in 2003 into 48 simple, stylish, contemporary and comfortable hotel rooms with a restaurant. Privately owned and independently run with an emphasis on friendliness, good food and thoughtful service. The hotel is just outside Liverpool city center, close to the cathedrals, and has its own car park just down a street directly opposite. Telephone: 0151 709 3000

BLACKPOOL:

Tiffany’s – The Hotel is situated less than a quarter of a mile from North Pier on the fashionable North Promenade, just enough distance away from the hustle and bustle of the town’s throbbing nightlife, yet within easy reach of the town centre, main conference venues, theatres, attractions and golf courses. The Hotel has a large car park to the front of the property as well as 2 other car parks to the rear. Rooms with romantic 4-poster beds are available! Telephone: 01253 313414

PRESTON:

The Preston Marriott Hotel – Just a couple of minutes drive from Junction 32 of the M6, the luxurious 4-star Preston Marriott Hotel, which was once a grand Victorian manor house, is set in 11 acres of gardens and woodland. If you are looking for accommodation in the Preston area, this hotel is ideal, and convenient for Blackpool too.  Check out the yummy room-service menu! Telephone: 01772 864087