Whether you’re there for business or pleasure, Manchester is a city that has something for everyone – so the place you’re calling home during your trip needs to do the same. Rest assured, the Maldron hotel in the city centre is as welcoming as it is premium and, as we found out during a stay over the Manchester Pride bank holiday weekend in August, has everything you need to take your trip to the next level.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the staff who make an effort to get to know their guests on a first-name basis – a small but personal touch that makes getting assistance feel like a less daunting experience if and when you need it. You also have the option of express check-in using the hotel’s self-service kiosks, which take no more than a minute to use and are incredibly easy to navigate.

The rooms are large and modern while also feeling cosy and homely, making them the perfect place to settle into for the long weekend. The large flat screen TV is full of entertainment to enjoy when you need a break from the Pride festivities, while the bed you’ll be watching it from is nothing less than heavenly. The bathroom boasts a chic grey design, complete with bright lighting and an incredible shower. Gorgeous views of the city are the icing on the cake of the Maldron’s rooms, which are so divine you may end up spending more time in them than you originally planned.

For those looking to workout during their stay, the hotel has a leisure centre available for guests. It’s small, but has everything you need and, during our visit, was never overly busy. It also comes with the added perk of meaning you don’t need to find and pay for a gym nearby, which is always a bonus.

Every morning, the Maldron staff put on a buffet-style breakfast which offers an impressive variety of food that also caters for vegetarians and vegans. The massive dining space can be rented and used for an array of different things, which included a fabulous networking event with Gaydio, the UK’s best known LGBTQIA+ radio station, and even a delicious Pride brunch put on by the hotel’s staff during our visit.

In the Maldron’s case, the best thing about it is the most obvious – its location. Whether you’re visiting for Pride or not, the hotel is situated in a bustling part of the city that has an array of restaurants, nightlife and various other things within walking distance. It’s mere minutes from the Gay Village and, as we found, makes it possible to run back and forth from Pride throughout the day – which you simply can’t put a price on.

The Maldron is set to open a number of new locations in the coming months and years, with Shoreditch in London, the Cathedral Quarter in Manchester, Brighton, Liverpool City and Dublin all set to be home to a new one soon. In the meantime, you can learn more about the one in Manchester city centre and book your stay here.