Hotel Football Old Trafford

Opened in 2015 by former Manchester United players, the Hotel Football Old Trafford attracts football and cricket fans with its fantastic setting just opposite the stadium. Modern interiors have football-themed decor throughout, from the hexagon-shaped tiles in the lobby to the Panini stickers in the hallways. The fun theme is most on display in the all-day Cafe Football, where TVs broadcast matches and walls are filed with colorful portraits of Manchester United legends and various football designs through the years. While some rooms have views of the stadium, all guests can see the football grounds from a rooftop Up on the roof terrace with fake grass. Overall, the vibe here is laid-back and upbeat, attracting a crowd of mostly couples that will spending at least some of their time at the nearby stadium.

It would be hard to stay much closer to the Manchester United ground at Old Trafford without sleeping in the stands — the big front entrance is a two minute walk away at most, while the cricket ground is 10 minutes away on foot. Ten minutes in the other direction takes guests over the river and into the space age MediaCity complex at Salford Quays, where the BBC’s studios are, as well as The Lowry arts center, and an outlet mall of the same name. That said, it is a half hour tram journey to the center of Manchester proper. Expect a 15 to 20 minute transfer by car to Manchester Airport, or an hour’s journey by public transport.

The hotel’s 133 rooms are modern and streamlined, with a few football-themed accents. Expect gray carpeted floors, accent walls of footballs hitting the back of nets, bright scarlet or lime-green armchairs, black-and-white wood furniture, and bed runners with colorful chevron patterns. Pillows also have the phrase "Dreaming of Victory" stitched into them, and toiletries come in jersey-looking containers. Solid amenities consist of flat-screen TVs with Sky Sports and BT Sport channels, desks, free Wi-Fi, minibars stocked with free retro snacks, and closets with safes and ironing facilities. King Room bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers, while larger Executive Rooms have shower/tub combos. These upgraded rooms also have views of the stadium. Unfortunately, no rooms have kettles. 

Given that guests will likely spend most of their time outside the property, on-site features are limited. The standout is the Cafe Football, a bright and cheerful restaurant that serves well-reviewed fare all day and has bar seating amid several TVs showing football matches. Breakfast dishes and burgers are popular here, and there's a sundae bar done up like an old-fashioned sweet shop. Downstairs is the Old Trafford Supporters’ Club, outfitted with pool tables, giant projector screens showing matches, and upscale versions of stadium food. There’s a small entry fee, but it goes toward local charity projects, although on match days, the club is only open to home supporters with tickets. Upstairs is a roof terrace with fake grass and a five-a-side football pitch. A small gym is ill-equipped with just a few machines. Six meeting rooms are on-site, the largest of which can hold 550 people. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel, and parking is available for a nominal fee.