Manchester has it all, so if you’ve not thought about what to gift your other half this Valentine’s Day, strap in for our big ideas. We’ve got suggestions for the classic couples out there, to those who like to do something out of left field – think flowers and chocolate to pottery and unique experiences.
An indulgent spa day at RE:TREAT
Give the gift of relaxation and total serenity this Valentine’s, to both your partner and yourself, with a couples spa session at RE:TREAT, a new addition at The Lowry Hotel. This high tech spa offers treatments you couldn’t imagine in your wildest dreams, namely the duo float session in their sensory deprivation tank. Their aim is to create a truly memorable experience that is designed to transport guests to a new and all-encompassing world of absolute calm and tranquility. This experience can be added to the couples therapy session at the spa, which includes either a back, neck and shoulder massage, or a soothing leg and foot massage in a couple’s room. This is followed by a coffee or wellness tea in the tranquil surroundings of the spa lounge, with the option to add with a glass of Floreat botanical wine for just £5 each – a perfect addition to a Valentine’s weekend with that special someone. The Valentine’s package is available between February 10-17, and can be booked here.
RE:TREAT, The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Pl, Chapel Wharf, Salford, M3 5LH.
Flowers from one of Manchester’s many independents
We’re properly spoilt for choice in Manchester when it comes to plant and flower shops – we just love a botanical! Whether you pop into Northern Flower or Giraffe Flowers, you’re sure to get your hands on the most beautifully crafted fresh bouquet, and there’s always the option to order ahead of time, if you’re just that organised! We also have the boujee option of going down to Selfridges on Exchange Square, and the Trafford Centre, as Northern Quarter florist Frog Flowers has a plot in the luxury accessories department, providing beautiful art-led creations that feel really special. A must for Valentine’s Day! Plus, many of these flower shops offer workshops and masterclasses, perfect for partners who love to get involved.
Treat them to a meal out in Manchester
We have some amazing restaurants here in Manchester, and whether you’re a fan of fine dining, or a sucker for a tear-and-share, there’s something for every kind of couple. Special Valentine’s menus are available at the likes of Rosso and Australasia, with offers worth taking up this February at The Blues Kitchen and Wolf at the Door. A meal out doesn’t have to be expensive or opulent, but just letting your partner know how much you care for them, through the medium of amazing food, can mean more than words – after all, the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, as they say.
A ridiculously beautiful box of doughnuts from DGHNT
When we say ridiculously beautiful, we mean it. Never has so much care been taken when crafting doughnuts, but it’s a daily occurrence at DGHNT in Manchester. Whilst DGHNT offer really very niche flavour combinations, making for truly unique options, they can also provide a mixture of their amazing doughy creations, making sure your partner (and most likely you) can sample what they have to offer. Not only are their doughnuts great to look at, bringing some art to the doughnut world, after a maximum of five seconds of staring, they’ll taste immense too.
Tickets to a gig or show
There’s so much going on in theatre and gig land this February in Manchester, so why not give the gift of pure joy this Valentine’s day? There’s truly nothing better than dancing around for a few hours without a care in the world to one of your favourite artists, or getting immersed in the story and performance at a live show, and to be gifted one of these will show true love and care. Whether your other half is a pop princess or heavy metal rocker, a musical fiend or always looking for the newest incarnation of Macbeth, Manchester is the perfect place for live entertainment.
A luxurious hotel stay at Hotel Gotham
One of the more funky hotel options in out great city, Hotel Gotham provides exquisite service with striking, modern interior design, all within a beautiful 1928 Art Deco shell. Standing at the head of King Street, proudly atop the hill amidst architectural nods to the Grecian and Baroque, Hotel Gotham draws inspiration from these surroundings and rises up like an imposing castle of stone and steel. The place is shrouded in compelling history, with rumours that safe deposit boxes containing jewellery and gold, not to mention master tapes from Joy Division and New Order recording sessions, were found on the site. A true piece of Mancunian history with an intriguing twist, Hotel Gotham is well worth the visit. If you’re looking for more traditional hotel experiences, Manchester also offers The Midland and Edwardian, to name just a couple! You can book at Hotel Gotham here.
Hotel Gotham, 100 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WU.
Beers from North Taproom or The Old Pint Pot
With new breweries and very well-stocked pubs popping up almost weekly in Manchester, an unusual gifting option could be right on your doorstep. New opening North Taproom brings a lively edge to the new and developing Circle Square, just off Oxford Road. The brewery has a variety of house-brewed craft beers, from light pilsners and pale ales, to dark stouts, as well as Negronis on tap, and the fun, light ambience makes for a fuss-free gift this Valentine’s Day for the beer lover in your life. Another great option is The Old Pint Pot in Salford, with a riverside terrace to chill and sip on warmer days, and an array of classic pub games. The Pint Pot benefits from your usual pub draughts to some real craft gems, all for really affordable prices. Either of these options make for a less conventional Valentine’s gift, but there are definitely people in Manchester who’d appreciate a beer more than anything!
North Taproom, Vita East, Circle Square, Nobel Way, Manchester, M1 7FA | The Old Pint Pot, Adelphi Street, Salford, M3 6EN.
Coffee from Feel Good Club
Here at Secret Manchester we love Feel Good Club and all they stand for, and there seems no more perfect occasion to recommend this place, full of love and life, than Valentine’s Day. Hence the name, Feel Good Club aims to be a safe space for everyone from every walk of life, originally beginning as an LGBTQ+ concept and retaining those roots, but branching out into nurturing mental health and combatting loneliness. Why not put your hard earned cash and custom into a wonderful local Manchester place like this, with a beautiful message as a Valentine’s gift to someone you love?
Feel Good Club, 26-28 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EH.
Paint your own pottery at Pottery Corner
Ever since Ghost came out in 1990, pottery has been a symbol of romance and seduction. Now you can try your hand at clay classes and pottery painting yourself at Chorlton’s Pottery Corner. Whether your partner is a dab hand with heaps of creativity, or a complete novice, Pottery Corner has activities for any level. A class together or a dual painting session could be a lovely way to say ‘I love you’, spending time together and getting something out of it at the end, but equally Pottery Corner offers take-home kits for those more confident in their own space. Either offering would be a great Manchester-based Valentine’s gift and could awaken the creativity in both you and your other half.
Pottery Corner, 34 Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9EL.
Chocolates from Cocoa Cabana
Manchester is truly a chocolate lover’s paradise, with endless choices of sweet treat spots. Cocoa Cabana is full to the brim with the stuff, offering all kinds of cake, brownies, and hot drinks overflowing with chocolate. Their specially crafted artisan chocolates and truffles take the biscuit, though, displayed in their counters, made with quality ingredients and beautiful designs. Chocolate may have become a Valentine’s cliché, but at Cocoa Cabana you can be sure to pick up something truly special, and delicious, often catering to dietary requirements.
Cocoa Cabana, 7 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6HS | 168 Burton Rd, West Didsbury
Manchester, M20 1LH.
Fever gift card for various shows and experiences
Shows and experiences are always good presents, but sometimes allowing the recipient to choose their preferred activity can be the best way to go about it – enter, the Fever gift card. Fever offer so many different experiences, from comedy shows to luxurious meals, and Candlelight concerts to festivals, and a Fever gift card gives you the option to gift any one of these, both to your Valentine and yourself if you so choose. The gift cards are valid for one year from purchase and can be used anywhere in Manchester – you could even plan a hometown city break around the event you choose! You can purchase a Fever gift card here.