Travel & Tourism

The Medlock – Inside the 401-room hotel now open beside the Etihad Stadium

Another string to Etihad Campus's bow

Daisy Jackson - 10th September 2026

The Medlock, the new 401-room hotel beside the Etihad Stadium, has officially opened its doors this week.

The landmark new hotel is part of the Medlock Square entertainment hub, also home to the Brickworks market hall, a roof walk and zipline experience, and an all-new Manchester City museum experience.

Set just steps from both the Etihad Stadium and the Co-op Live, The Medlock by Radisson Blu is a modern new hotel with affordable rooms, striking design details, and state-of-the-art technology.

It’s also set to be the largest hotel in central Manchester, with a mixture of room sizes and suites.

There’s also the ‘crown jewel’ of the hotel, its penthouse suite, a two-storey, two-bedroom suite designed for high-profile stays, private dinners, and VIP celebrations.

And still to come will be 10 bedrooms with pitch views across the Etihad Stadium.

The design of the hotel pays homage to the 19th-century gasworks, local green spaces, and historic waterways that once defined the site, and its name comes from the river that flows beneath it.

You’ll see details like textured grey walls and cages around the pillars as a nod to the historic Bradford Colliery that once stood on this land.

From the lobby, guests are greeted with an overhead digital reflective feature that syncs with match days and event nights, plus digital check-in pods, low-lounge banquettes, and a statement staircase.

The 401 guest rooms start from £120 a night, decorated in soft tones, warm timber, and ambient lighting, with music-inspired design features like rug patterns inspired by retro audio equipment and bathroom tiles reminiscent of recording studio acoustic walls.

Every room includes GRIND coffee machines and pods, Vimto bonbons, signature Medlock mattresses created in partnership with Silentnight, and bespoke artwork by local artists (Paul Crudgington, a fine art photographer; James Cochrane, a Manchester street photographer framing light, shadow, and human presence since 2016; and Steve Longbottom, a Manchester exhibiting artist exploring how people connect with place).

Elsewhere in The Medlock, there’s a 24-hour Technogym fitness centre with cutting-edge equipment and virtual personal training options.

There are two food and drink offerings inside The Medlock, too – Blend, a cafe by day and wine bar by night; and Three Rivers Brasserie and Bar, a sophisticated all-day dining experience focused on British produce and warm, polished service.

Richard Pearson, general manager of The Medlock, Radisson Blu Hotel, said: “We’re incredibly proud to officially open the doors to The Medlock, as it takes centre stage as the beginning of the story of Medlock Square.

“We’ve created a hotel that feels uniquely Manchester, right at the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting destinations. Whether guests are visiting for football, music, business, or to experience the city, we want The Medlock to be more than somewhere to stay – we want it to be the place where every Manchester experience begins with a brilliant welcome.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved. They’ve shown real grit to bring The Medlock to life, backed each other every step of the way, and poured their heart and energy into creating something special.

“This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests and share the warmth, spirit, and sense of community that makes The Medlock feel like home. This is a milestone day for the evolution of Manchester as we continue to shape its next go-to destination.”

Joep Peeters, Chief Operating Officer Franchise EMEA at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “The opening of this flagship hotel represents a defining moment for both Manchester and the team behind it. Whether visitors are here for a football match, a concert, a conference, or just to explore Manchester, both the hotel and its location offer guests an experience unlike anywhere else in the UK.

“The property reflects the city’s character: welcoming, energetic and proudly authentic, and we are thrilled to welcome it into the Radisson Blu portfolio.”

Read more

• You can visit hundreds of historic sites across Greater Manchester for FREE this month
• A day of vintage cars and retro entertainment will take over a Greater Manchester town this month
• The Greater Manchester book café serving literary afternoon teas and build-your-own bouquets

Featured image: The Manc Group