Liverpool is a master of reinvention. The city on the Mersey is celebrating 10 years since its successful tenure as the European Capital of Culture and has continued to boom since. Today, the range of places to stay today is huge — from budget crash-pads to stylish heritage properties that reflect Liverpool’s seafaring heyday.
Based in the Northwest, I’ve seen Liverpool’s fortunes ebb and flow with the tides of the Mersey estuary. Today, it’s a vibrant city with a strong cultural scene and a hedonistic nightlife. But it also has a rich heritage of classical architecture, notably the Unesco World Heritage-listed sweep of the waterfront.
Try one of the following style-on-a-budget options for a weekend of clubbing and live music, or check into the waterfront district for a more genteel glimpse of the city’s history as a world trading port.
Best for understated style: Hope Street Hotel
Neighbourhood: Georgian Quarter
Liverpool’s original boutique hotel predates the 2008 Capital of Culture but, like the city, has moved with the times. By March 2019, the hotel will have expanded through into next door, taking the total number of rooms from 89 to 150 while retaining the less-is-more ambience of stylish minimalism. All the rooms come with Nespresso machines and robes, while the new section will add a pool, cinema and members' club to the stately period building.
The restaurant, The London Carriage Works, continues to offer modern British cuisine in a brasserie setting, plus a cocktail bar and good-value prix fixe menu. With The Philharmonic Hall opposite and sense of quiet refinement, it’s business as usual — only more so.
Standard doubles from £89 room only
hopestreethotel.co.uk
Best for budget: Sleep Eat Love
Neighbourhood: Museum district
From the people behind the nearby Richmond Hotel, this brand new hostel-style venture offers a new budget option close to the World Museum. It’s a combination of dorms, doubles and triples, plus a couple of family rooms; but the focus is on the communal spaces: kitchen, games room and cinema.
Overall, it feels somewhat student halls-lite with basic rooms, albeit mostly ensuite, but the Instagram-friendly design and low prices compensate. Low frills and self-service are part of the package, but it still makes for a city-centre bargain.
Beds from £24, doubles from £40 room only
sleepeatlove.com
Best for service: 2 Blackburne Terrace
Neighbourhood: Georgian Quarter
This highly individual, still somewhat-under-the-radar, guesthouse offers a design-led counterpoint to the chain hotel and late-bar scene. There are only four rooms, each with its own individual flourishes. My pick is the attic for the best views of the city’s landmark Anglican Cathedral illuminated by night.
Most of all, the homely ambience and accomplished but discreet service makes for a rarefied stay. And, if you’re looking for something more cerebral from your weekend break, then this part of the city is home to both the Everyman Theatre and Philharmonic.
Doubles from £200 B&B
2blackburneterrace.com
Best for heritage: 30 James Street
Neighbourhood: Waterfront
This Titanic-themed hotel has plenty of Liverpool bling with its subterranean spa and rooftop champagne bar. But the former White Star Line headquarters is also a treasure trove of maritime heritage, the hotel conversion retaining many of the Grade II-listed features and display cases exhibiting salvaged cruise memorabilia.
The rooms are styled like a cruise ship with more spacious cabins on higher decks (floors). The apex is the Titanic Floor with gold-leaf mirrors and crushed-velour walls. Ignore the bling and savour the sense of history: room 22’s balcony is where the Titanic disaster was announced in April 1912.
Doubles from £89 room only
rmstitanichotel.co.uk
Best for value: Hotel Indigo
Neighbourhood: Moorfields
Style and affordability are the keywords at this four-star hotel, tucked inside the Moorfields business district between the shopping centre and the waterfront. The hotel recently underwent a major refurbishment, playing up the contemporary-chic fittings and adding a terrace-facing cocktail bar alongside the Marco Pierre White restaurant.
There’s a strong local motif with murals of the Liverpool textile trade throughout, plus a giant collage of Liverpool icons, while all rooms feature walk-in showers, wooden floors and free minibar items.
Doubles from £80 B&B
ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/gb/en/liverpool/lplil/hoteldetail
Best for self-catering: Epic Apart Hotel & Serviced Apartments — Duke Street
Neighbourhood: Cathedral Quarter
Of the three Epic apartment hotels in the city centre (another due winter 2018), Duke Street is my pick. This modern conversion of a former printing office sits at the heart of Liverpool's vibrant nightlife district and offers a home-from-home experience complete with mod cons.
Standard apartments feature kitchen, dining and lounge areas, plus a separate bedroom. You’re right in the heart of the action for a big night out, but don’t worry if feeling a bit jaded the next morning — there’s good-quality soundproofing.
One-bedroom apartments from £79; superiors from £95
epicliverpool.co.uk
Best for afternoon tea: Doubletree by Hilton Liverpool Hotel & Spa
Neighbourhood: Moorfields
The stately features of the former Victorian building, originally built as the Liverpool Conservative Club, have been sympathetically adapted into Liverpool’s Doubletree from Hilton. Think marbled columns and stained-glass windows, the latter depicting symbols of Liverpool’s maritime heritage.
Try the Eforea Spa or Koukash Bar & Grill for dining amid racing memorabilia. My favourite thing to do, however, is to take afternoon tea on a Chesterfield sofa in the wood-panelled Library Lounge.
Doubles from £149 room only
doubletree3.hilton.com
Best for catching a show: Pullman Liverpool Hotel
Neighbourhood: Waterfront
The businesslike Pullman can feel a bit corporate with its midweek meetings frenzy, but this waterfront property has a secret: walking distance to ACC Liverpool, home to the BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena. That means you can stroll out of a concert and catch last orders at the Wheeler's of St. James's seafood bar and restaurant. It’s also just a short walk to the Albert Dock.
The 216 rooms are smart and contemporary but I’d suggest upgrading to a deluxe corner room with coffee machines, docking stations and an iPad to pre-order your cocktails before the support act.
Superior rooms from £90, executives £139, B&B
pullmanhotels.com/gb/hotel-9227-pullman-liverpool/index.shtml
Best for city slickers: Aloft Liverpool
Neighbourhood: Cavern Quarter
Heritage meets contemporary style at this millennial-friendly spin-off from the Marriott group. It feels urbane with bold design, but also retains many of the heritage features of the Grade II-listed former Royal Insurance Building. The Day-Glo Fatboy beanbags may be a step too far, however.
The NYL restaurant & Bar has all-day dining, a mezzanine bar and a particularly fine line in weekend brunches, plus there are pods for impromptu creative thinking and a stage for local musicians to serenade the weekend cocktail cruisers.
Doubles from £69 B&B
aloftliverpool.com
Best for couples: Malmaison Liverpool
Neighbourhood: Waterfront
The Mal was one of the original hotels for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture renaissance. And it’s still got it. Images of Liverpool icons and a smattering of Scouse charm with service in the Chez Mal Brasserie complement the prevailing boudoir-chic vibe of Malmaison.
If you’re a football fan, try The Kop Suite, a homage to the beautiful game with a playroom area dedicated to inspiring views of the Liver Buildings and a table football game to plan your way to Premier League domination.
Doubles from £70 room only
malmaison.com/locations/liverpool
