a&o Hostels purchased the adjoining ibis Manchester Centre Portland Street (at 96 Portland St) and Novotel Manchester Centre (at 21 Dickinson St) in early 2026.

The properties are being converted into a hybrid "hostel/hotel" concept called a&o Manchester City Centre.

Both sites are remaining fully operational during an £8.2 million refurbishment which is expected to complete by Q1 2027. Once finished, the combined property will have roughly 1,218 beds across 303 rooms, featuring a mix of private, family and dormitory-style accommodation.

Reviews are currently polarized, with praise for its convenient location near shopping and transport but negative feedback over basic, "no-frills" amenities and some reports of dated facilities.

Prices can be very good for central Manchester so worth a look but do your research and come armed with thier app to avoid delays on check in.

There is convenient parking at Q-Park Piazza under the Novotel in St. James Street (sat nav M1 4LX) and you can prebook online at q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/manchester/piazza

To walk to Canal Street there are two exits from the hotel;

Faulkner Street; turn right out of the hotel, at the end of Faulkner Street turn right onto Princess Street, when you get to the traffic lights on Portland Street continue on Princess Street, after one minute you will see the Union Hotel on your left which is the start of Canal Street.

Dickinson Street; turn left out of the hotel, then left again onto Portland Street, turn right at the traffic lights onto Princess Street, after 1 minute you will see the New Union on your left which is where Canal Street begins.