When one of the girls announces she’s getting married, we all think one thing. Yes – the hen do. An excuse to get all the ladies together for a weekend of fun, frolics and fizz. As much as we would all love to treat the bride-to-be to a lavish weekend in Marbella, or a city tour of Barcelona, catching the rays for that pre-wedding tan, it’s sometimes not ideal and cost effective for all the hens. So the biggest hen do trend at present is to gather all your hens together, jump on a train, and head to one of the UK’s finest cities!
Manchester in particularly is one of the liveliest and trendiest cities around for a cheeky hen weekend away. Depending on the group size, the people and the budget, there are so many ways you can tailor your weekend to make sure that not only does the hen have a fantastic time, but all then group enjoy every second celebrating the occasion too. Take a look at a roundup of weekend ideas, including bar, restaurant and accommodation recommendations:
The Relaxing One
Hen do’s don’t have to be about passing out after too many Proseccos and burning the candle at both ends. There can be nothing nicer than a relaxing spa weekend, followed by afternoon tea and cake and an evening meal with a view. If you want to stay in Manchester City Centre, The Lowry Hotel has an indulgent spa with all the treatments and facilities you could wish for. It’s slightly set back from the main city centre, so you are in walking distance but just away from the hustle and bustle.
Close to all the shops and in the heart of Manchester’s Northern quarter, Tea 4 2 has just recently opened and is home to the city’s most extravagant afternoon tea packages. Its luxury interior is the ideal setting for its selection of champagnes, sandwiches, teas, scones and cakes, and is a great place to watch the cities shoppers rush by whilst having a catch up with the girls over lavish food.
For a relaxed evening meal in a stunning hotel with fantastic views of Manchester, book yourself in at the Great John Street Hotel Roof Terrace. Close to the infamous Coronation St set, this hotel with pretty décor is again set slightly outside the city centre, overlooking the Beetham tower. It also comes with a Jacuzzi too. Why not finish the evening with a dip?
If you wanted to have a quiet spa weekend near to Manchester but in a remote location, then the Titanic Spa in Huddersfield is perfect. It’s the UK’s first eco-spa, within a traditional textile mill, set in idyllic surroundings on the edge of the Pennines.
Lavish the bride-to-be in a luxe pampering at Titanic Spa.
The Wild One
We all love a nice relaxing hen do, but saying that – there’s no excuse like a hen weekend to let your hair down and go wild! Staying in centrally located apartments, such as the Blue Rainbow apartments is the best way to plan your ‘base’ for the weekend or the night. Secondly, invest in a company that provides a cheeky tongue-in-cheek activity, such as Butlers in the Buff, to entertain whilst you get pampered and preened for an evening on the tiles.
Efes Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant is an ideal place to head to for an evening of entertainment, dancing, and eating –and that is just to start off the night. Efes has seen many hen do’s, therefore puts on a good selection of foods that work around your guests, before allowing a night of belly dancing and a resident DJ. Opt for meze plates of three course meals; whatever your bellies can handle before grabbing your feather boas and flashing ‘L’ plates and shimmying over to The Birdcage!
Known for its unique cabaret and Vegas style shows, it’s a nightclub atmosphere for the one’s who can’t stop dancing and can work that pole! Regular slots of cabaret acts break up the evening, letting the ladies go wild on the stage, slide down the poles and under the disco balls to the early hours. With drag queens and an eclectic music mix, it’s not for the faint hearted!
Let that hen do hair down with a night of cabaret and eccentric antics at Birdcage.
The Lavish One
If your Manchester hen weekend is an excuse to live it up with the finest of Manchester folk, then look into booking into Cloud 28 at The Hilton Beetham Tower Hotel, for the most elegant cocktails, champagnes and breath taking views in Manchester. Or experience the finest cocktails in the form of Harvey Nichols Cocktail Masterclasses, including breakfast, a mocktail, three cocktail tastings, your own lesson, lunch with wine and a certificate. Very classy!
Lush cocktails courtesy of Harvey Nichols are a deluxe hen do must-try.
The selling point with Manchester is that the fun never stops and there is literally something to cater every hen’s tastes. So hurry up and book your train tickets to the gem of the North West.
