The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel Takes Centre Stage in East Manchester’s Vibrant New Entertainment Destination, Medlock Square

Set to become one of East Manchester's most significant new hospitality developments, offering the highest room count serving the Etihad Campus and Co-op Live

The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel, has officially opened its doors marking a milestone arrival in Manchester’s rapidly expanding entertainment hub, Medlock Square. Set just steps from the Etihad Stadium and Co-op Live, the 401-room hotel, developed in partnership with Radisson Hotel Group and operated by Valor Hospitality Partners, introduces a striking blend of modern British design, culinary distinction, and dynamic hospitality to East Manchester.

Rising above Medlock Square, the hotel balances a rich industrial heritage with biophilic elements, paying homage to the 19th-century gasworks, local green spaces, and historic waterways that once defined the site.

Arriving in the lobby is an immersive, multi-sensory experience. Guests are greeted by an overhead digital reflective feature with dynamic lighting that syncs with match days and event nights at the nearby stadium and arena. Digital check-in pods, low-lounge banquettes, and a statement staircase anchor the space. The multi-functional lobby effortlessly shifts mood throughout the day, interweaving tactile textures and pockets of calm to ensure a seamless check-in.

The hotel’s 401 guest rooms, including family-friendly layouts with rates starting from £120, are designed as serene escapes. The interior aesthetic features soft tones, warm timber, tactile upholstery, ambient joinery lighting, and exposed wardrobe frames. Abstracted music motifs run throughout, from fluid rug patterns inspired by retro audio equipment to bathroom tiles reminiscent of recording studio acoustic walls.

In-room standards across all accommodations include GRIND coffee machines and pods, 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, with a playful local touch with tasty Vimto bonbons. Yoga mats are provided in deluxe rooms, and all rooms feature signature Medlock mattresses created in partnership with Silentnight.

The crown jewel of the property is the striking two-storey Penthouse Suite. Designed for high-profile stays, private dinners, and VIP celebrations, the expansive suite features two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, generous living and entertaining spaces, floor-to-ceiling city views, a serene private rooftop garden, and views across to Co-op Live. The suite offers the flexibility to add a third bedroom, while a private room adjacent to the kitchen provides an intimate space for a private chef experience or hosted dining. With dedicated VIP access, the Penthouse is designed to offer a truly elevated stay.

The hotel’s 24-hour Technogym fitness centre is a modern fitness studio featuring cutting-edge equipment and virtual personal training options to keep guests energised throughout their stay. Deluxe rooms and suites also feature virtual in-room trainers.

The heart of the hotel’s social scene features two distinct culinary concepts:

• Blend: A café by day and wine bar by night, Blend anchors Medlock Square into the local community. Hosting everyone from early-morning runners and dog walkers arriving from the city centre down the canalside path to those seeking pre-gig wines, Blend brings together speciality coffee from GRIND and artisanal pastries by day, with an intimate bar by night serving curated wines and craft beers.

• Three Rivers Brasserie and Bar: Set within the new Medlock hotel, Three Rivers is a sophisticated all-day dining experience focused on British produce and warm, polished service. Brasserie classics such as prawn cocktail with shredded iceberg and confit tomato and a comprehensive steak selection, impeccably sourced from Hereford cattle, meet local specialities of Lancashire hotpot and Manchester tart, reimagined here as a silken panna cotta.

With the beverage programme overseen by Medlock Square's Head of Bars, award-winning cocktail creative Cressida Lawlor, and a kitchen under the watchful eye of Medlock Square Development Chef and MasterChef winner Dan Merriman, Three Rivers Brasserie brings together local talent in a beautiful environment.

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.”

Positioned moments from the Etihad Campus tram stop and central Manchester, The Medlock also features versatile, natural-light-filled spaces suited for business gatherings, brand launches, and private functions, serving as the new on-campus accommodation partner to enable residential conferencing.

To find out more and to book The Medlock Hotel, visit TheMedlockHotel.com.
Follow @TheMedlockHotel on Instagram.

To find out more about Three Rivers, visit www.threeriversmcr.com.
Follow @threerivers.mcr on Instagram.

To find out more about Blend, visit www.blendmcr.com.
Follow @blend.msq on Instagram.