Hotels in Manchester can offer some great deals and alternatives to there counterparts in London, the luxury Malmaison is doing a special Summer of 79, rooms for £79, for instance. Here are some of our favourites when staying in Manchester
Leave your music prejudice at home – Cliff Richard's Arora is a vision of contemporary cool, with  sleek, modern rooms and funky furniture (unless you’re a fan, you might want to avoid the five Cliff-themed rooms though).
 The Great John Street Hotel a luxurious boutique experience with hand-carved furniture, roll-top baths and sumptuous fabrics and fittings give this hotel a modern-vintage feel. A short walk 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 plus stylish lounges and Oyster Bar. The hotel also boasts a stunning Roof Terrace
The Lowry. Manchester's most fashionable hotel, the Lowry Hotel is situated in the recently-developed Chapel Wharf area on the Salford-Manchester boundary and is the hotel of choice for visiting actors, politicians and of course in this city, Premiership footballers. Everything is as it should be – huge, hip rooms with super-sized beds, original modern art, discreet service and on the ball staff.
 A favourite with visiting bands and celebreties, the Malmaison is a first choice for those who like to think of themselves as arbiters of taste. In the home of the beautiful game a short stroll from Piccadilly Station and you're at the Malmaison - cross the chessboard reception and to the bar or brasserie? To bed or to the spa?
The real star of the line-up, though, has to be the sultry Moulin Rouge room; the free-standing bath takes around 30 minutes to fill up!
Places to go to during the day are varied around the city and this weekend the Olympic Torch will take precedence, however, here a few other places we like in the city.
The Legendary Afflecks is a maze of alternative, independent stalls selling vintage clothes, hand-made jewellery, from Top Hats to tatoos and all manner of weird stuff. It’s fun to get lost in even if you don’t plan to buy. 52 Church Street, Northern Quarter (there’s also an entrance on Oldham St)
 Lowry Arts Centre might suggest, this landmark waterside building at Salford Quays houses an extensive collection of LS Lowry’s art. However, the artist is only half of the story, as the centre also brings together an impressive variety of visual and performing arts. As well as a changing programme of painting, sculpture and photography, the steel-clad buidling has also hosted more award-winning theatre productions than any other regional venue. Its two theatres also host blockbuster musicals, dance, opera, comedy, ballet, jazz and folk.
John Rylands Library, now called the University of Manchester Library. Despite giving the impression of near-medieval antiquity, this wonderful building is in fact just over a 100 years old, built in the 1890's. Among its treasures is the world's oldest surviving fragment of the New Testament. Hands-on activities, touc  h-screen digital displays and a changing programme of exhibitions all bring artefacts to life, while the guided tours are highly recommended.
 And finally you cannot mention places to note when visiting Manchester without mentioning the two dominant football clubs in the area. 20. Manchester United fans can take the popular behind-the-scenes stadium tour and trot down players' tunnel or visit the impressive museum, where kids can try and kick the ball as hard as  Wayne Rooney, while devotees of Manchester City Football Club can head instead to the City of Manchester Stadium, where you'll find a club shop, a restaurant, and museum, plus stadium tours are available for £8.50 a pop.
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