Manchester isn’t anything like London so as a city center, it’s not particularly massive or overwhelming. Some nice hotels and restaurants too. Metrolink service runs every 15 minutes out of the Center towards Old Trafford. If you’re looking at staying in a town as opposed to the City, the tram runs direct from Altrincham as well. Some of the smaller towns like Knutsford and Wilmslow are decent enough and trains will take you direct into the city on a fairly regular basis.