Liverpool continues to boom as a city break destination, pulsating with cultural regeneration. The renaissance started when the city was recognised as the European Capital of Culture 2008 and came of age in 2023, when it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest. The compact centre packs in a diverse array of attractions: a heritage-rich waterfront and world-class museums, a Unesco City of Music and international sporting events, plus hedonistic nightlife and fine dining.
The hotel stock is also ever expanding, too, with around 8,000 bedrooms now across the city, including the opening of Liverpool’s first five-star property, the Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool — MGallery, with the Halyard Liverpool swiftly following. Weekends are often still busy (averaging around 80 per cent occupancy), especially if there’s home game or a big-name gig. Be aware that while Ropewalks may be at the heart of the action, families or older visitors may prefer the quieter districts. From posh pads to more budget-conscious bolt holes, this is our guide to the best hotels in Liverpool.
Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue ££ | SPA | POOL The city’s latest opening is a five-star property that’s sure to impress. The lavish conversion of a grade II listed building, formerly the HQ of Liverpool council, retains its Victorian-era sandstone exterior and gargoyle-topped clocktower. Inside the Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool — MGallery, you’ll find 179 understatedly stylish yet contemporary rooms split across eight categories. All come with lots of period features and nine are accessible. Lower ground-floor Classic rooms have limited daylight, so try upgrading to a Superior for a king-size bed and in-room Nespresso. The extensive list of hotel facilities includes a pool, fitness suite and spa (for an extra charge) but it’s the glass-and-marble Palm Court bar and library that best captures the luxury vibe, with an all-day menu and a buzzy, tea-inspired co*cktail list — try a Tanqueray gin-based Earl Grey Sour. The Seaforth restaurant serves a modern British menu with a maritime heritage theme, while the cosy Botanic Tearoom serves afternoon tea with a twist around a statement giant blossom tree. • £ School Lane Hotel, the little sister to the city-stalwart Hope Street Hotel, is a select-service, independent hotel located at the heart of the Liverpool ONE retail and entertainment complex. Although it’s a more budget-friendly option, it retains much of the Scandi-chic minimalism of its sister hotel. The renovation preserves the architectural features of the Victorian Russell Building, including sash windows and high ceilings. The hotel has 55 bedrooms — divided among King, Studio (which sleeps three, ideal for families), and Deluxe (equipped with baths) — featuring bespoke oak furniture, Hollywood-style mirrors, and walk-in Raindance showers. There’s a complimentary grab-and-go breakfast at reception and the hotel has partnered with local restaurants for 20 per cent dinner discounts. The hotel is dog-friendly, has three accessible rooms and is a quiet bolt hole within easy walking distance of all city-centre attractions. • Read our full review of School Lane Hotel ££ | SPA | POOL Located in the heart of Moorfields business district, this well-executed conversion of a historic grade II listed building ensures the hotel retains many of the heritage features, such as mosaic floors. It feels quite business-like overall — think meeting spaces and a private-events room in the former cigar lounge, plus a business centre. The rooms — arranged across three sprawling wings — are more contemporary, however, with a dark colour scheme and exposed beams. There’s also an accessible room. A big draw is the eforea Spa with Elemis therapies and a leisure suite, including steam, sauna, and a hydrotherapy pool. The horse-racing memorabilia-themed Koukash Bar & Grill is the main dining spot with its Mediterranean menu, while afternoon tea is served in the genteel, wood-panelled Library Room. ££ | POOL This modern hotel sits on the waterfront right next to the Liverpool Cruise Terminal — handy for embarking passengers — and looking down the Mersey towards the Liver Building. It’s a friendly place with a light-filled atrium reception and modern facilities, including a pool and fitness centre. The rooms — divided between Standard, Queen and Kings — are contemporary and come with a complimentary aromatherapy sleep kit. It’s worth trading up for a waterfront view across the ever-evolving docklands. The restaurant handles the buffet breakfast and dinner service while the Lounge has drinks, light bites and afternoon teas, including an option for kids. The attractions of the waterfront, including the famous selfie-spot statue of the Fab Four, are all within easy walking distance. ££ | SPA | POOL Of all the luxury hotels in Liverpool, this is the original and still considered to be 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 (bringing the total to 149 across eight categories), an indoor pool and a new destination spa with a range of thermal treatments. Throughout, Hope Street Hotel has retained its trademark style of less-is-more minimalism. The London Carriage Works restaurant offers modern British cuisine in a brasserie setting, plus a stylish co*cktail bar, with an ambience of quiet refinement. The latest additions are pizza restaurant 1931 and a bookable cinema room, partnering with Liverpool Reel Tours, for film-club nights. £££ This 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 features some stylish collaborations, such as statement floral displays and artworks in public spaces by local artists. The highlight, however, is the Sky Bar, with great city views from the 17th floor. The in-house restaurant is the Gino D’Acampo Old Hall Street, featuring all-day dining and serving a host of Italian favourites. For alfresco summer dining, head to the new Secret Terrace on the first-floor roof terrace for drinks, Italian small plates and DJ sets. The hotel is pet-friendly. • Read our full review of INNSiDE Liverpool ££ 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. It packs a lot of character into a relatively small space, with murals of the Liverpool textile trade throughout, and a giant collage of Liverpool icons, referencing the building’s historical involvement in the cotton trade. 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 all-day-dining Cotton Lounge, while an outdoor co*cktail terrace and recently refurbished exterior are welcome additions for alfresco summer fun. • Best city breaks in the UK ££ Affordable luxury and a quieter city-centre location are the main draws at this no-frills contemporary hotel, which is 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. The 92 rooms range from budget interior options without windows to roomy superior queens — all featuring a stylish, minimalist decor, space-saving design features and wet rooms. £ 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-like hotel. The emphasis is on meetings and events (ask about private access to the next-door exhibition centre) but leisure clients will also love its location, which offers views of the Wheel of Liverpool. 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. Find all-day light bites at the Pullman Bar & Lounge, with more formal dining options at the Pullman Restaurant. ££ Liverpool’s Malmaison was born out of the Capital of Culture boom and remains a solid option for a romantic weekend away. The hotel’s waterfront location is perfect for visiting the attractions and dining spots of the Royal Albert Dock. Inside, images of Liverpool icons scattered throughout public spaces lend the decor a frisson of the famous Scouse humour. The 130 bedrooms play on the brand’s trademark boudoir-chic vibe and include two signature “Bella” and “Bertie” Liver Bird suites. The Malmaison Bar & Grill specialises in steaks and offers up impressive views across Princes Dock. There is also an alfresco area for drinks overlooking Liverpool’s waterfront. ££ 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 (the standard Aloft and the superior Savvy) but both feature platform beds, walk-in rain showers with Bliss Spa products and 50” LCD TVs in all bedrooms. There are accessible rooms and the hotel is also pet-friendly. Communal spaces have nice touches too, such as stained glass and wood panelling to help feed your Instagram account. Head to the WXYZ Bar for co*cktails then dine at the NYL Restaurant & Bar for weekend brunches and a reliable menu of dishes with a New York-diner twist. ££ | SPA | POOL The ill-fated Titanic never visited Liverpool, but this spacious industrial warehouse — located close to the new Everton FC stadium in the upcoming Bramley-Moore Dock area — still celebrates Liverpool’s rich maritime history. You’ll need a taxi as it’s not really walking distance to the waterfront, but heritage fans will love the hotel’s 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 co*cktails, and spa packages are available at the subterranean Maya Blue Wellness suite which has a pool and fitness room. • Read our full review of Titanic Hotel Liverpool BOOKING.COM £ 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 110 rooms, including two suites, the Lennon Suite takes star billing with its rooftop views, lounge area and statement white piano, inspiring a rendition of Lennon’s Imagine. There’s no spa or pool but Blakes Restaurant serves modern British food and Sgt. Pepper Afternoon Teas. The more relaxed Bar Four serves co*cktails with Beatles-pun names and hosts live music events at the weekend. ££ This small but perfectly formed boutique property near the Duke Street Food and Drink Market 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 co*cktail bar and the kitchen serves a daily brunch menu by day, pizza and pasta by night, as well as local beers. • EXPEDIA £ 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 has 106 rooms, including the signature Secret Garden Suite with its mezzanine design. There’s no restaurant but the rooms feature kitchenettes, and guests can claim discounts at some local cafés and bars. ££ Radisson RED was previously the North Western Hotel, which opened in 1871. Linked by an exclusive passage to the city’s Lime Street train interchange, this conversion plays with the original grade II listed building features to ramp up the sense of Victorian grandeur. Expect a grand sandstone staircase, topped with a renovated 6m-tall stained-glass window, filling the atrium with light. There are 201 rooms, including five suites, each featuring bespoke artworks, while the Stoke Bar and Grill occupies the ground floor with an open kitchen and grilled-food motif. Superior rooms offer views across to the city’s neo-classical St Georges Hall with the museum district within short walking distance. £ The Novotel sits at the heart of the up-and-coming Knowledge Quarter — the city’s university district — and is located near the Spine, a towering office building dominating the Paddington village development. The 16-storey hotel has 221 bedrooms, including fully accessible rooms (one with a hoist), while 39 rooms are designed as longer-stay apartments with kitchenettes, plus there’s a fitness suite. The Kensington restaurant has all-day dining and the hotel has partnered with Liverpool-based Bean Coffee as well as Love Lane Brewery for local craft ales. • Read our full review of Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village £££ The pick of the city’s boutique hotels is this highly individual guesthouse, a grade II listed Georgian townhouse that 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 illuminated at night. The art-collecting owners imbue the property with a homely warmth and serve a feast of a breakfast. It has an expanding collection of artworks and has opened GNYP, an in-house contemporary art gallery, with free access to residents. 2blackburneterrace.com • Best canal walks in the UK Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here1. The Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool — MGallery, city centre
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2. School Lane Hotel, city centre
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3. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa, city centre
4. Crowne Plaza, waterfront
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5. Hope Street Hotel, Georgian Quarter
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6. INNSiDE by Melia, city centre
7. Hotel Indigo, city centre
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• Best UK pubs with rooms8. Z Liverpool, city centre
9. Pullman Liverpool, waterfront
10. Malmaison, waterfront
11. Aloft, city centre
12. Titanic Hotel, Liverpool Docks
13. Hard Days Night Hotel, city centre
14. Lock & Key, city centre
15. The Resident, city centre
16. Radisson RED, St Georges Museum Quarter
17. Novotel Liverpool, Paddington Village
18. No. 2 Blackburne Terrace, Georgian Quarter
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