The Alan

With a terrific location in Manchester city centre, The Alan is a classically understated contemporary hotel. There's no big neon sign, no door-person, not even a reception when you enter. Yet it does all the good things a hotel should do: it has a good choice of comfortable guest rooms in a range of price categories, an excellent restaurant, an attractive bar area and a generally feel-good, welcoming atmosphere. It's also very stylish, but despite the hotel's undeniable design credentials, it's affordably priced, too.

Recently opened by a couple of hospitality veterans,  The Alan is one of the newer additions to the energetic Manchester hotel scene. Housed in a re-purposed Victorian building, it has a funky, creative air about it, with space given over to local art and other objects, and a space for co-workers. It's not a small hotel: there are over 100 guest rooms, all with comfy beds, high speed wifi, flatscreen TVs, air-conditioning, desks, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, and sparkling en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Categories range from the cheapest  (and smallest) 'Original Doubles' through slightly more expensive 'Standard' rooms – with larger beds –  and more spacious 'Midis' and 'Masters'.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily at moderate prices, and has a deliberate focus on local suppliers and season food, as does the bar, which works with local gin-makers and brewers and has wide range of well-priced cocktails.  They also have a daily 'Happy Hour' (3 hours actually) when you can sup champagne and enjoy oysters for a quid a pop!