المنطقة المحلية

A short drive, or bus ride, from the hotel, the Salford Quays waterfront district has breathed new life into a former docklands area. You can catch an art exhibition at The Lowry Galleries, hunt for designer bargains at the Lowry Outlet Mall, or take in a movie at the multi-screen cinema. History buffs can learn more about the area's wartime history at the futuristic Imperial War Museum North.

Don’t leave Manchester without exploring some key sites from the city’s history, all just 15 minutes' drive from the hotel. Visit the John Rylands Library to check out its vaulted neo-Gothic reading room, and learn about the city's industrial heritage at the Museum of Science and Industry. For a more personal insight, the People's History Museum tells the story of local working-class life.

Budding naturalists can discover life underwater at the Sea Life Manchester aquarium – a 10-minute walk from the hotel. You can gaze at the great hunters of the seas in Shark Shipwreck, or watch fish swim around you in the Ocean Tunnel. You can even stroll among the sea turtles and rays if you book a SeaTREK adventure, an unforgettable walk through the marine tank wearing a special breathing gear.

If you enjoy a spot of retail therapy, you can easily spend an entire day at the intu Trafford Centre, a short drive or easy walk from the hotel. The mall's over 280 outlets include everything from department stores to bookshops and fashion boutiques. If you get tired of browsing there are dozens of places to get a bite to eat, and you can catch the latest blockbusters at the multi-screen cinema.

• intu Trafford Centre
• EventCity
• MediaCityUK
• Lancashire County Cricket Club
• Old Trafford
• The Lowry Theatre and Shopping Centre
• AJ Bell Stadium