I went to Manchester for a break and it’s better than London

However, whilst Manchester does share similarities with the capital, it does seem to shine brighter in areas where London lacks.

That was something I was able to explore for myself after being invited up to the northwest city by Booking.com for Manchester Pride.

As someone who has never visited the region but has always had it high on their list, I was very excited to see what it had to offer and I was not disappointed.

Staying at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester 

Staying at the breathtaking Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, I couldn’t help but feel like royalty.

Stepping into the grand foyer, home to a stunning domed-shaped glass roof and horse sculpture, friendly staff welcomed us and answered all our questions and queries with ease.

Heading up to the top floor for our room, I was excited to see what awaited us behind the door.

Whilst the room itself was simple, it felt rich and expensive, with a large comfy bed, plush seat, desk area and a spotless Victorian fitted bathroom.

I was even greeted with personal touches, with a handwritten note welcoming us to the Kimpton, a miniature taste of Manchester Gin and plenty of yummy snacks and drinks.

One element that makes the Kimpton Clocktower stand out against other hotels on offer, is its social hour for guests.

Offering an hour of free alcoholic and soft drinks, along with snacks, the hotel gives guests the chance to relax and sit back with a drink without the cost.

Waking up and heading down for breakfast, I was curious to see what would be on offer with a price tag of £22 per person.

Set in the Clocktowers restaurant area, I was lucky enough to be seated in the Winter Garden, a glassed room with twinkle fairy lights, trees and comfy seats.

The breakfast itself offered all you could ask for, with a traditional cooked full English, pastries, fruit, cereals, yoghurts and ham and cheeses for a continental style, as well as the choice to order off the menu.

Greeted with a morning health shot, made-to-order teas and coffee are swift and ready at your table in moments.

From the pickiest eater to those who like a bit of everything, breakfast at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has it all, and it tastes amazing.

Exploring what Manchester had to offer

Moving on to the grand city of Manchester, with endless options of bars, restaurants, and activities, you’ll never be bored.

Being best to book a reservation, I headed to a pre-booked table at Almost Famous, a burger restaurant famed for its big and bold dishes.

The restaurant has a loud and fun atmosphere with quick service and tasty food at reasonable prices, with a meal and cocktail costing around £25 per person.

Whilst I had booked the restaurant, I was not so prepared for evening activities, but no need to worry as Manchester has an endless list of options.

I headed to Junkyard Golf for some crazy golf adventure, costing £10 per person for peak times.

With three courses to choose from, you can enjoy a round of golf and a drink including several themed cocktails.

On the second day of our weekend trip in Manchester, I headed into the centre bright and early ready to explore ahead of the Pride Parade.

Eager to learn about the city, I did a self-guided walking tour with a treasure hunt available on Booking.com.

Across a three-mile walk, I learned all there was about Manchester and got to enjoy a fun game of guessing too.

Of course, I came to Manchester for Pride, one of the biggest events in the city with Booking.com creating the Travel Proud Program, helping LGBTQ+ members find a safe and welcoming destination, hotels and activities.

I got to watch the parade and see all the amazing floats on display, as well as explore the iconic destination of Canal Street.

Reflecting on the weekend trip, Manchester is a mighty, welcoming city with so much to offer.

Plus, travelling to Manchester is easy, with a direct train from London Euston straight to Manchester Piccadilly regularly running and getting you there in just over two hours.