The Lowry Hotel

The River Irwell which flows past the five-star Lowry marks the boundary between Manchester and Salford, and the heart of the city is just a stroll away on the other side of the landmark Trinity Bridge. With its acres of glimmering glass, the hotel makes a bold statement - this place is big, glamorous and classy, and with its River Restaurant, it has a dining venue to match. The position by the river means the terrace is a hotspot when the north-western weather is kind, but the immaculate dining room is a hit year-round. It is all calming contemporary neutrality inside, with white linen tablecloths and smart duck-egg blue leather chairs, and the service style is slick and polished. The menu draws inspiration from a broadly modish European template, so you might get a bit of autumnal Mediterranean sunshine in the form of a salad of roasted pumpkin with ricotta, sage and beurre noisette, followed by a bit of northern charm in the form of lamb noisette with Lancashire hotpot, wild mushrooms and Shrewsbury sauce (a port and redcurrant jelly combo).