2★ Ibis Budget Manchester Pollard Street

Just one mile from Manchester city centre, this sleek, modern hotel offers free WiFi, a fully-stocked snack bar, and 24-hour assistance at an always-open front desk. “Cocoon-style” rooms offer up modern amenities and soundproofed snugness, with en-suite showers, flat screen TVs, radios and refreshing air conditioning. Live sports are shown inside on a high-def large screen, and some of Manchester’s premier bars and restaurants are an easy walk away.