I cannot recommend Whitworth Locke highly enough - I stayed there twice in one week on different nights and it was fantastic. It's fantastic to have a check in desk, with extremely friendly and helpful staff. The restaurant and bar and coffee shop in the lobby was excellent.
The apartments were immaculately presented. Even the smaller one I stayed in on the second night was still spacious; much more than a standard hotel room and with SO much better facilities. The bed - oh my goodness! So comfortable! And the pillows! Also - heated towel racks, USB plugs, blackout curtains... cannot recommend highly enough.
It is in a very central location, easily walkable to anywhere you need to be in central Manchester, or transport further out. All the while - very quiet apartments (excellent double glazing) so I had a wonderful night's sleep.
5 stars + more!