The Weekenders - Search for weekend getaways around the UK.

Didsbury House Hotel - Didsbury, Manchester

5|4|3|2|1

Chic retreat away from the city centre

Think Manchester and you might come up with Hacienda, Happy Mondays, heavy-drinking hedonism. But visit this acclaimed boutique hotel, and you might have to think again. Didsbury House Hotel is calm, luxurious, classy and relaxing. It might be in a residential area away from the bright lights, but it’s still very much a cosmopolitan and stylish place to stay - steering clear of suburban chintz and concentrating instead on sumptuous designer chic. All in all, it’s the perfect city hotel, but without the annoyance of a city centre on its doorstep.

A classic Victorian villa in the popular area of Didsbury, the hotel features 27 bedrooms in varying sizes and four suites. All are furnished with panache – huge beds, soothing colour schemes, big baths and monsoon showers – and have quality tellies, stereos and DVD players to keep you entertained. The smallest rooms – the Classics – are cosy and bijou, while the largest – the Opus Loft Suite – has to be seen to be believe. Twin roll-top baths anyone?

The design is no less impressive throughout the rest of the hotel, with two relaxing lounges, a fresh, airy breakfast room and a small, but well-stocked bar. There is even a gym and treatment room if you’re after some pampering.

Where is it?

Didsbury is a stylish village in the suburbs of Manchester, popular with the city’s young professionals. Oh, and Richard and Judy. It’s an easy 15-minute bus ride from the city centre and is a welcome oasis in the midst of one of the busiest cities in Europe. The central area, along the Wilmslow Road, has developed its own café culture, with local restaurants, cafes and boutiques often being listed as some of the best in Manchester.

Manchester itself is, of course, far too big a prospect to describe in a few sentences. Needless to say it’s probably the most exciting city in the UK outside London – some might argue, even including London. Great cultural provenance mixes with an amazing array of nightlife, eating, drinking and shopping and, of course, one of the most famous music scenes in the world. For all the best things to see, do and visit, check out The Weekender's Guide to Manchester.

Where can I eat?

If venturing into the city centre for an almost impossibly huge range of places to eat doesn’t appeal, Didsbury more than holds its own in the foodie stakes. The Lime Tree in West Didsbury (8 Lapwing Lane, tel: 0161 445 1217, web: www.thelimetreerestaurant.co.uk) is top of the list for many locals. The menu of fresh and modern British dishes have won multiple awards, while the laid-back and slightly bohemian atmosphere makes it a relaxing place to while away a romantic evening.

Jem and I (1c School Lane, tel: 0161 445 3996, web: www.jemandirestaurant.co.uk) is a real treat. Winner of the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand award, this sleek Modern European restaurant is situated in an old bank in the heart of Didsbury, and prides itself on its fresh-that-day ingredients. For a yummy lunch, try the new tapas menu.

For all the best places to eat in Manchester City Centre (and there are loads...),check out The Weekender's Guide to Manchester.

Top of page

Calm, luxurious, classy and relaxing, lovely Didsbury House sits in a pretty Manchester suburb, but manages to stay thoroughly cosmopolitan. All in all it's the perfect city hotel, but without the annoyance of a city centre right on its doorstep.