Liverpool has boomed since its spotlight moment as the European Capital of Culture in 2008. Post-cultural regeneration, the city is now an ideal weekend-break destination whatever your interest. Whether you’re visiting heritage attractions at Royal Albert Dock, browsing for bargains at the Liverpool ONE shopping centre, or attending a major cultural or sporting event, Liverpool has a superb range of hotels for you to stay in, both within, and just outside, the compact city centre. Book ahead, however. Hotel rooms are in notoriously short supply at weekends — despite a host of new properties in recent years. Be aware, too, that some places now stipulate a minimum two-night stay. Certain city-centre hotels promote the party vibe at weekends, so families and couples might consider quieter districts. From posh pads to more budget-conscious bolt holes, this is our guide to the best hotels in Liverpool.
Main photo: 30 James Street, city centre
This article contains affiliate links.
All products and brands mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback. We feature properties from a specially selected list of trusted operators who are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links which are ads and if you click on a link and buy a product we will earn revenue. The revenue generated will help us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism.
Show more
Show less
Hope Street Hotel
1. Hope Street Hotel, city centre
Of all the luxury hotels in Liverpool, this is the original and still considered the best. The grand period building in the Georgian Quarter — a short walk to theatre and concert venues — has undergone a major expansion, adding new spacious rooms, an indoor pool and a destination spa with a range of thermal treatments. Throughout, Hope Street Hotel has retained its trademark style of less-is-more minimalism. The restaurant, The London Carriage Works, offers modern British cuisine in a brasserie setting, plus a stylish cocktail bar, with an ambience of quiet refinement.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££
Book a stay
2. INNSiDE by Melia, city centre
This new property, located in the former offices of the Liverpool Echo newspaper, has a commanding city-centre position with waterfront views from some of the 207 rooms. It’s walking distance to the Royal Albert Dock and the Castle Street district. The hotel has some stylish features, such as artworks presented in collaboration with a local art gallery and statement floral displays. The highlight, however, is the 17th-floor Sky Bar, with great city views. The in-house restaurant Gino D’Acampo Old Hall Street has all-day dining and serves Italian favourites.
Spa N
Pool N
Price ££
No. 2 Blackburne Terrace
3. No. 2 Blackburne Terrace, Georgian Quarter
The pick of the city’s boutique hotels is this highly individual guesthouse, which offers a design-led counterpoint to the chain hotels. It’s tucked away on a quiet side street in the city’s Georgian Quarter and only has four rooms — each with individual flourishes. Room Four, for example, has views across the rooftops to the city’s Anglican Cathedral, which is lit up at night. The owners imbue the property with a homely warmth and serve a feast of a breakfast. They have an expanding collection of artworks and recently opened GNYP, an in-house contemporary art gallery, with free access to residents.
Spa N
Pool N
Price £££
30 James Street
4. 30 James Street, city centre
30 James Street, located a two-minute walk from the waterfront, has a rich and colourful history. Its latest incarnation has seen it relaunched as a party-vibe hotel and wedding venue. The property features a cruise-liner motif throughout, playing on its maritime heritage as the former headquarters of the White Star Line. While the subterranean spa and rooftop champagne bar float the boat of younger guests, history buffs will love the display cases of cruise memorabilia and the period features in the Grand Hall. The rooms are spacious, some designed for larger groups and featuring giant Jacuzzi baths.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
5. Indigo, city centre
This spin-off hotel from the IHG group is located within the Moorfields business district of the city but it doesn’t feel like corporate-chain clone. Indeed, it packs a lot of character into a relatively small space, with murals of the Liverpool textile trade throughout, plus a giant collage of Liverpool icons. The 151 rooms are bright and contemporary with complimentary minibars and Aveda toiletries, plus there’s a small fitness suite. Dining and drinking options are split between Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse and the lobby Cotton Lounge, while an outdoor cocktail terrace is a nice addition for alfresco fun.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££
6. Z Liverpool, city centre
Affordable luxury and a quieter city-centre location are the main draws at this modern hotel, set across the upper three floors of a former office building near Castle Street. The reception forms part of the downstairs café-bar, which serves snacks and simple breakfasts on the go, and also hosts an evening cheese-and-wine gathering for guests. The 92 rooms range from budget options without windows to roomier superior queens; all of them have a stylish, simple decor, space-saving design features and wet rooms.
Spa N
Pool N
Price £
Pullman Liverpool Hotel
7. Pullman Liverpool Hotel, Liverpool Docks
Located in the waterfront Kings Dock area, and just a short stroll from the M&S Bank Arena for live events, the Pullman Liverpool is a smart business-oriented hotel. The emphasis is on meetings and events (ask about private access to the next-door exhibition centre) but leisure clients will love its location. The 216 rooms offer a contemporary base, although it’s worth upgrading to a deluxe room for some nice extra touches, such as king-size beds, Nespresso machines and Bose docking stations. The Pullman Restaurant offers all-day dining options, and serves afternoon teas at weekends.
Spa N
Pool N
Price ££
Malmaison
8. Malmaison, city centre
Liverpool’s Mal was born out of the Capital of Culture boom and remains a solid option for a romantic weekend away. The waterfront location is perfect for visiting the Royal Albert Dock. Images of Liverpool icons throughout the public spaces lend the decor a touch of famous Scouse humour. Overall, the rooms overall play on Mal’s trademark boudoir-chic vibe, but football fans will love The Signature Suite, a homage to the beautiful game with its own table football. The Chez Mal Brasserie is a popular spot for all-day dining and cocktails.
Spa N
Pool N
Price ££
9. Aloft, city centre
One for urbane regular travellers, the Aloft from Marriott is a sympathetic conversion of the historic former Royal Insurance Building. It retains lots of original features, such as marble wall tiles and a domed rotunda, blending them with contemporary touches including work pods and a small gym. There are two room categories (Aloft and the superior Savvy) but both feature platform beds and walk-in showers, while communal spaces have nice touches such as stained glass and wood panelling to help feed your Instagram account. The NYL Restaurant & Bar has cocktails, weekend brunches and a reliable menu of dishes with a New York-diner twist. It’s also a pet-friendly hotel.
Spa N
Pool N
Price ££
10. Hard Days Night Hotel, city centre
This Beatles-themed hotel, located just round the corner from the Cavern Club and walking distance to the Beatles Story attraction, plays up its adoration for the Fab Four with its pop-art decor and selfie-inspiring design. Of the 108 rooms, the Lennon Suite takes star billing with its rooftop views, lounge area and statement white piano, which might inspire a rendition of Lennon’s Imagine. The Hard Days Night Hotel has a partner deal with the local Lush Spa, while Blakes Restaurant serves modern British food and Sgt. Pepper’s Afternoon Tea.
Spa Y
Pool N
Price £££
The Baltic Hotel
11. Baltic Hotel, Baltic Triangle
Located on Jamaica Street in the formerly industrial Baltic Triangle, now the city’s hipster hub, this new hotel is handy for the heart of Liverpool, plus the Camp and Furnace venue for live events. It’s one primarily for the night owls with regular DJ sets in The Parlour, and next-day recovery breakfasts, plus the promise of plenty of “vibes”. Some of the 62 rooms, all of them contemporary but cosy, come with music-motif touches, such as Marshall speaker mini-bars and vintage vinyl. Hipster beards optional.
Spa N
Pool N
Price ££
12. Lock and Key, city centre
This small but perfectly formed boutique property in the Ropewalks district has 14 dinky rooms set within a grade II listed Georgian townhouse. It’s handy for all the city-centre attractions yet offers a stylish sanctuary. The contemporary rooms have floral designs and velvet headboards, while some also feature drinks trolleys. Upgrading to the spacious category ensures a king-sized sleep. There’s a buzzy, exposed-brick cocktail bar and the kitchen serves a daily brunch menu by day, pizza and pasta by night, as well as local beers.
Spa N
Pool N
Price £
13. The Resident, city centre
Formerly known as the Nadler, this converted warehouse in the Ropewalks district is handily situated to enjoy Liverpool’s ebullient nightlife — but it also offers a calm oasis (with handy triple glazing) and style on a budget. The homely rooms include period features, such as skylights and exposed beams, while a smattering of local artworks throughout the floors brings a bit of personality to the decor. The hotel offers accommodation only but the rooms do feature mini kitchen areas and the hotel partners with local café-bars for discounts, including the nearby restaurant, Wreckfish.
Spa N
Pool N
Price £
The Titanic Hotel
14. Titanic Hotel, Vauxhall
The ill-fated Titanic never visited Liverpool but this spacious industrial warehouse, located in the redevelopment-central Stanley Dock area, doesn’t let that spoil its celebration of Liverpool’s maritime history. It may require a short taxi journey into the city centre, but heritage fans will love the industrial high ceilings and exposed brickwork. The rooms are comfortable, although it’s worth upgrading to a dockside room for the views across to the historic Tobacco Warehouse building. Completing the package is dining at Stanley’s Bar and Grill, including Sunday lunches, the lobby-based Rum Bar for cocktails, and spa packages available at the subterranean Maya Blue Wellness suite.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££
Credit: Source link
