Liverpool hotels

This was Liverpool’s first-ever boutique hotel when it opened its doors in 2003, and it remains one of the finest places to stay in the city. Housed in a period building in Liverpool’s grand Georgian Quarter – one of my favorite neighborhoods – the décor inside is pure Scandi-chic, with exposed brick walls, crisp white linen, and hardwood floors.
The vibe throughout is pleasingly zen, particularly in the spa, where you’ll find a range of thermal treatments and an indoor pool. The hotel’s main restaurant, The London Carriage Works, is a destination in its own right and serves up modern British dishes like lamb loin with mint and grilled place, while the more casual 1931 is a great spot for pizza and pasta.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the odd celebrity during your stay – this is where the Liverpool FC team stays when they’re in town.

While the imposing Grade II-listed exterior of this central hotel, a short walk from the city’s town hall, might be delightfully grand, the design-led rooms here tell another story, all clean lines, and minimal furniture.
That’s not to say there aren’t still plenty of period features at this sleek property, which is housed in the former Royal Insurance Building.
Walking in, the first thing you notice is the ornately corniced ceilings and marble pillars, while you’ll find gorgeous stained glass and wood paneling in the communal spaces in keeping with the site’s former Victorian grandeur.
Rooms fall into two categories – Aloft and the larger Savvy, which each come with platform beds and walk-in showers. The New York-inspired NYL restaurant is always busy, particularly on weekends, while a drink at the WXYZ bar comes accompanied by live music from local singer-songwriters.

This hip hotel, housed in the former offices of the Liverpool Echo newspaper, is right in the heart of the city’s downtown area, a short walk to Royal Albert Dock. Operated by the Spanish Melia group, it’s a slickly contemporary affair, with a distinctly urban edge to the design.
The open-plan lobby houses the hotel’s all-day restaurant, Gino D’Acampo Old Hall Street, where you can sample a menu of Italian favorites, and the walls are lined with original artworks from a local independent gallery.
Rooms are light and bright, with a pared-back neutral color scheme, and the best ones come with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the River Mersey. But the main draw here is the 18th-floor Sky Bar, which offers staggering 360-degree views over Liverpool’s cityscape below, served alongside potent cocktails and cool DJ sets.

This charming hotel may be a 10-minute drive away from the city’s main cultural attractions, but it more than makes up for its less-than-central location with its spacious rooms. Situated in a Grade II-listed former warehouse on Stanley Dock, the hotel celebrates Liverpool’s glorious maritime history, and while the Titanic itself never actually visited the city, the various nautical touches make sense given the waterfront setting.
Loft-style rooms are vast, with high exposed brick ceilings and views over the historic 14-story Tobacco Warehouse next door. Since Liverpool’s excellent culinary scene isn’t within walking distance, you’ll want to pay a visit to the hotel’s waterfront restaurant, Stanley’s Bar and Grill, and the stylish Rum Bar, where you can pick up a rum-based cocktail or two.
For the ultimate relaxation head to the subterranean Maya Blue spa, which has a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and steam room.

This smart property, located in the waterfront Kings Dock area, is popular with business travelers thanks to its excellent meeting and event spaces, but weekenders will also love its location in the heart of the city.
The sleekly designed 216 rooms are plush without feeling fussy – expect dark wood paneling and a muted color palette of greys and beiges, with king-sized beds, Bose docking stations, and Nespresso coffee machines. It’s worth upgrading to a corner Deluxe room if you’re looking for a little more space, while business travelers will love the Executive rooms on the second floor, which come with access to a separate lounge where drinks are served at dusk.
Dukes Bar and Restaurant serves up modern British fare, but with Royal Albert Dock a five-minute walk away, I’d recommend picking one of the multiple waterfront restaurants for a bite to eat instead.

If you’re looking for a cozy, intimate spot right in the thick of things, Heywood House is the place to be. Located in one of the city’s buzziest areas, it’s a five-minute walk to the UNESCO-listed waterfront and the Liverpool ONE shopping district.
The Grade II-listed building is a former bank that was built in 1799 and you’ll find plenty of period touches throughout, including a grand central staircase and exposed ceiling beams in the rooms. The décor reflects the building’s heritage and rooms have a traditional feel, with floral wallpaper, luxe fabrics, and rolltop baths.
My top choice would be one of the four top-floor rooms, where you get your own private balcony. There’s no restaurant or bar here, but when you’re this close to Liverpool’s culinary hot spots, there’s no need for one.

This might be a chain hotel, but it has all the trappings of a boutique getaway. Located at the former Princes Dock, within walking distance of the Tate Modern, the interiors are decked out in Malmaison’s signature boudoir-chic style, with moody lighting and a color palette of deep purple, fuchsia, and black.
The Gothic-glam vibe is offset by fun Liverpool references, such as Beatles posters on the walls and a giant yellow submarine hanging between the floors. There are 130 bedrooms spread over six floors, boasting eye-catching patterned wallpaper, sultry black furniture, and views over the water.
If you want a real experience, I’d recommend booking into Liverpool FC-themed ‘The Kop’ suite, which has a wooden bathtub overlooking the city. For dinner, book a table at the Malmaison Grill, where you can watch the sunset over the Mersey as you dine on charcoal-grilled fish and steak.

For a romantic weekend in Liverpool, my top pick would be a stay at this intimate room-only hotel in the heart of the city. Housed in a handsome Grade II-listed former bank building, a stay here is the antithesis of a faceless corporate chain.
The property has retained many of its charming original features, including an enormous old wooden banking desk and a fireplace in the lobby and a gleaming wrought-iron central staircase. Each of the 20 rooms and suites was designed by the hotel’s in-house team and has a warm, cozy vibe, with plush king-sized beds, gloriously high ceilings, and separate lounge areas.
The suites are delightfully spacious and are known for being some of the largest in Liverpool. There’s no food or drink offering on-site, but with the excellent Castle Street restaurants on your doorstep, it’s not an issue.

While Hotel Indigo will certainly appeal to business travelers, thanks to its location in the city’s Moorfields business district, it’s also a popular spot for couples and families looking for a vibrant place to stay. Despite being part of the IHG group, the property feels far more like an independent boutique hotel than a chain, with personality in spades.
Bright pops of color are the order of the day here, from the rainbow-hued hotel façade to the colorful murals in the communal spaces. The quirky décor continues in the 151 rooms, which have nods to the city’s cotton trade links, with wallpaper featuring spools of thread and technicolor rugs.
The hotel’s Marco Pierre Whiter Steakhouse & Grill is one of my favorite spots to book for a celebratory meal, thanks to its expertly-cooked steaks and great service.

One of Liverpool’s main claims to fame is the fact that it’s the birthplace of The Beatles, and fans of the Sixties rock group will feel right at home in this Fab Four-themed hotel.
Located in a magnificent Grade II-listed building just around the corner from the Cavern Club – where the Beatles rose to fame – each of the 110 rooms is a Pop Art-inspired homage to the band, with specially commissioned Beatles-inspired artwork lining the walls.
The cream of the crop is the Lennon Suite, which boasts views over the Liverpool rooftops and has its own white baby grand piano, just like the one that appears in the Imagine video.
The Beatles-mania theme extends to the hotel’s bars and restaurants, with Blakes (named after the British artist Sir Peter Blake, who created the iconic sleeve for the Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album) serving up traditional British fare.