Pros

  • Housed in a handsome, historic heritage building
  • Situated in a prime Manchester city center location
  • Underground spa features a large swimming pool with jet streams and a whirlpool
  • Two fine-dining restaurants on-site, including Steak & Lobster
  • Luxurious Opus Reserve Bar that serves tapas and champagne
  • Guest bathrooms feature Gilchrist and Soames toiletries and separate dry and wet rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Some rooms show signs of wear
  • Windows in rooms don't open
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Bottom Line

You'd be hard pressed to find a hotel building that has borne witness to a more impressive catalog of iconic 20th-century moments, from Churchill speeches to groundbreaking musical performances. Rooms are certainly high-end, but lacking the wow factor some may expect from an advertised five-star property. The spa is suitably swanky, especially the large pool, and the two on-site dining options are both excellent. The nearest competition is The Midland hotel, offering similarly refined lodging close by, though its rates are usually a little lower.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester

Scene

Iconic 19th-century landmark with hallowed history and contemporary panache

This Radisson Blu Edwardian is housed in Manchester's renowned Free Trade Hall, built in 1853. The building was the setting for some of the city's most iconic moments in politics and music (most famously where Bob Dylan was heckled by an audience member for his first electric guitar performance). Renovated and relaunched as a luxury hotel in 2004, the original neoclassical architecture blends effortlessly into the contemporary glass atrium in the lobby -- a bright, airy space, scattered with quirky art pieces. Just beyond the atrium is the reception area, with its plush velvet sofas and centerpiece crystal chandelier. The ambience is refined but not stuffy, and the hotel attracts high-end business guests, well-heeled tourists, and the occasional celebrity.

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Location

Situated in the heart Manchester, a short walk from the Central Convention Complex

The hotel has a prime location on Peter Street, one of central Manchester's main thoroughfares. Most of the city's central attractions are within walking distance, including the Central Convention Complex, a two-minute walk away, and Chinatown, about five minutes from the hotel by foot. Piccadilly Station train terminal takes less than 10 minutes to reach by car, while Manchester Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

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Rooms

Bathrooms with luxury toiletries and dry and wet rooms

The hotel's 263 rooms are decorated in warm, earthy tones with thick velvety bed-throws, sleek wooden furnishings, and black and white photographs. Amenities are standard for a hotel of this caliber and include free Wi-Fi and smart flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms have marble countertops, and wet and dry rooms tiled with Scandinavian slate, and come with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. A few rooms overlook the central atrium; others have city views.

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Features

Impressive underground spa and choice of two snazzy restaurants

Built on the site of historic barrel vaults, the luxury Sienna Spa features a large swimming pool with jets, a whirlpool, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness center. One of Manchester's liveliest and most popular restaurants, the OpusOne serves innovative modern British food in wonderfully extravagant surroundings bathed in red neon. Another fun dining option is the Steak & Lobster restaurant, serving what you'd expect given its name; this restaurant also puts on occasional live jazz nights. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel; there's also a business center and a few conference rooms.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester

Scene

Iconic 19th-century landmark with hallowed history and contemporary panache

This Radisson Blu Edwardian is housed in Manchester's renowned Free Trade Hall, built in 1853. The building was the setting for some of the city's most iconic moments in politics and music (most famously where Bob Dylan was heckled by an audience member for his first electric guitar performance). Renovated and relaunched as a luxury hotel in 2004, the original neoclassical architecture blends effortlessly into the contemporary glass atrium in the lobby -- a bright, airy space, scattered with quirky art pieces. Just beyond the atrium is the reception area, with its plush velvet sofas and centerpiece crystal chandelier. The ambience is refined but not stuffy, and the hotel attracts high-end business guests, well-heeled tourists, and the occasional celebrity.

See More Scene

Location

Situated in the heart Manchester, a short walk from the Central Convention Complex

The hotel has a prime location on Peter Street, one of central Manchester's main thoroughfares. Most of the city's central attractions are within walking distance, including the Central Convention Complex, a two-minute walk away, and Chinatown, about five minutes from the hotel by foot. Piccadilly Station train terminal takes less than 10 minutes to reach by car, while Manchester Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Bathrooms with luxury toiletries and dry and wet rooms

The hotel's 263 rooms are decorated in warm, earthy tones with thick velvety bed-throws, sleek wooden furnishings, and black and white photographs. Amenities are standard for a hotel of this caliber and include free Wi-Fi and smart flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms have marble countertops, and wet and dry rooms tiled with Scandinavian slate, and come with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. A few rooms overlook the central atrium; others have city views.

See More Rooms

Features

Impressive underground spa and choice of two snazzy restaurants

Built on the site of historic barrel vaults, the luxury Sienna Spa features a large swimming pool with jets, a whirlpool, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness center. One of Manchester's liveliest and most popular restaurants, the OpusOne serves innovative modern British food in wonderfully extravagant surroundings bathed in red neon. Another fun dining option is the Steak & Lobster restaurant, serving what you'd expect given its name; this restaurant also puts on occasional live jazz nights. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel; there's also a business center and a few conference rooms.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.