The Manchester hotel named among best in the UK - beating Claridge's in London

Inside one of the rooms at Dakota Hotel, Manchester
Dakota Hotel has been named among the best in the UK by Tripadvisor -Credit:Dakota Hotel


A luxurious hotel in Manchester city centre has been named among the “best of the best” in the UK. Dakota Hotel, near Manchester Piccadilly, made Tripadvisor’s list of the top 25 hotels in the UK - beating the iconic hotel Claridge’s in London, which only just made the cut.

Dakota ranked 14th in the Best of the Best list in Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards 2024. The Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1per cent of listings on Tripadvisor.

Having opened in 2019, Dakota has welcomed famous guests over the years, including the Spice Girls and actor Hugh Jackman. The hotel is described by Tripadvisor as offering “ a touch of modern luxury” to a “convenient location”.

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It praised its facilities including “beautiful bathrooms” with “large bathtubs for two and walk-in rainfall showers” and a “stylish bar” along with a “fabulous outdoor heated terrace”. It adds: “All in all, Dakota Manchester is a brilliant blend of comfort and sophistication.”

The view from the penthouse suite
The view from the penthouse suite -Credit:Dakota Hotel

Dakota is the only Manchester-based hotel to make the list this year. It previously won Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards in 2023 and 2021, although it has slipped down in rankings since last year, when it was placed in the sixth spot.

The Resident Covent Garden hotel in London topped this year's list, followed by the Aviator Hampshire in Farnborough, Hampshire, in second and The Chesterfield Mayfair in London in third. The Chambers Park Place in Leeds was the first property in the north to make the list in 13th place, one before the Dakota.

The hotel is known for its luxury rooms and suites, including an incredible two-bedroom penthouse suite with a wraparound balcony and views across the city. Its restaurant Dakota Grill offers a range of culinary delights, including caviar and wagyu rib-eye steak, while the bar has an extensive Champagne selection from France’s top producers.

Matt Townley, Operations Director at Dakota Hotels said: “To be recognised as one of the top 25 hotels in the UK is a real honour; to be the sole Manchester property in the list, even more so. It's a privilege to be featured alongside such exceptional names in the hospitality industry - this acknowledgment shines a light on the dedication of our superb team, who work tirelessly to create memorable moments for our guests every day.”

Dakota has hotels in Edinburgh, Eurocentral (Glasgow), Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester. It has plans to expand into Newcastle, with a sixth property opening there in spring 2025.

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