We tried Manchester’s Skyline II penthouse & the best of the Northern Quarter

MANCHESTER is a city I’ve visited a dozen times without actually spending a great amount of time in it. 

My dad lived and worked there for years. My sister studied there. I was brought up wearing the football strips — the red side, of course.

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We have friends who love to make us feel welcome there.  But I realised every trip felt like a flying visit — usually for the footie or a gig.

So my partner Lauren and I jumped at the chance to spend a few days there recently.

We stayed at the Skyline II by Resify apartment in the Northern Quarter.  The penthouse is a stunning three-bed pad sprawling across floors 15 and 16 of the 18-storey tower.

On arrival, you’re immediately drawn to the enormous glass windows in the living room, stretching from the floor to the ceiling, offering a panoramic view of the city. 

The apartment has a really modern feel to it but its stylish kitchen and comfy lounge area make it seem like a real home away from home. And with huge en suite bathrooms in two of the three bedrooms, there’s an added touch of luxury. 

We’d been on the road for four hours, so it was a relief to be settling into our luxury apartment for the weekend.

That being said, it was 9pm on Friday night. Time for a pint. 

Wandering just five minutes down the road, we found ourselves in the heart of the Northern Quarter on Thomas Street.  It’s a bustling street with quirky cocktail bars, traditional pubs and restaurants.

We sat in the window of The Smithfield Social and enjoyed a drink as we watched the Friday night crowds come and go. It felt good to be back. 

I’m a self-confessed gym enthusiast, so the building’s fitness suite provided the perfect chance to get the heart rate up on a Saturday morning.  Lauren opted for a more relaxing morning lounging by the pool and checking out the sauna. 

After we’d built up an appetite for brunch we found no shortage of nearby options. On Tib Street we found great independent bakeries and cafes to meet our needs.

The central location of Skyline II means you can get pretty much anywhere on foot from the apartment. It’s just minutes from the city centre and main shopping hub,  the bars and restaurants at the Corn Exchange and Printworks.

It’s also   just yards from Manchester Victoria railway station and Shudehill Bus Station and you’re never too far away from a tram.

By the time we returned that afternoon, it felt like we’d earned a small refreshment, so we popped into the Corner Boy pub.

It’s a proper Irish pub that serves a cracking pint of Guinness.

Next we hit the  Tib Street Tavern, a warm and friendly beer house that’s ideal for watching footie and serves up classic pub grub.  After a great Saturday night, we enjoyed a more relaxing Sunday, with a canal stroll through Deansgate before arriving at Mayfield Park. 

Opened in September 2022, it’s the first new park in Manchester for over 100 years and offers a nice escape from the city surrounding it. It’s also free to the public.

Saturday had brought the buzz but Sunday was a slower-paced affair and finding somewhere for a walk-in table proved slightly more challenging  until luckily we found My Thai where  we happily scoffed crispy chicken and Massaman curry.

After dinner we headed back to relax in the comfort of the apartment couch in front of the telly. 

That’s the beauty of Resify’s Skyline II penthouse. Whether you’re on the go or just looking to chill with some home comforts, it’s got you covered. And they offer flexible long and short term renting options too.

We took in that incredible view of the city once more with a cup of coffee the next morning before hitting the road again. 

Until next time, Manchester. 

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