Hope Street Hotel

Hope Street Hotel is the splurge stay in Liverpool and the city’s most polished boutique hotel. It sits on Hope Street, the elegant road that links Liverpool’s two cathedrals, in the heart of the Georgian Quarter, the most handsome residential part of the city, with the Philharmonic Hall and some of the best restaurants nearby. The building dates from the Victorian era and was modelled on a Venetian palazzo, and a modern glass and steel extension sits beside it. Inside, the look is calm and minimal: pink Cheshire brick, iron pillars, exposed beams and cool white interiors, with wooden floors and Scandinavian-style furnishings. Room types range from king standard rooms, many of which can be set up as twins, through deluxe rooms, family-friendly studios and suites, to terrace and rooftop suites with views over the city centre and the river. The London Carriage Works is the hotel’s modern British restaurant, using fresh, seasonal local produce, while 1931 serves pizza, pasta, salads and sharing boards from an open kitchen. The thermal spa is a real draw, with a 15-metre indoor pool, a courtyard vitality pool, saunas, a steam room and an ice bowl.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at 40 Hope Street, L1 9DA, between Liverpool Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral, each a few minutes’ walk away. Liverpool ONE and the main shops are around fifteen minutes downhill on foot, and the Pier Head, the Royal Albert Dock and the Beatles sights on the waterfront are about twenty to twenty-five minutes, or a short taxi ride. Liverpool Central and Lime Street stations are both within walking distance, and the Magical Mystery Tour and the stadiums are easy to reach by taxi.

Rooms: choose a deluxe room for extra space, or a terrace or rooftop suite for a special occasion, as the rooftop suites have some of the best private views in the city. The studios suit families. The upper floors offer the best outlooks over the city, and the wooden floors can make rooms feel lively when neighbours are moving, so ask for a quieter corner if you are a light sleeper.

Who it suits: couples on a celebration, food lovers, and travellers who want a calm, stylish base away from the busiest nightlife. It is less suited to visitors who want to step straight out onto the waterfront or Mathew Street.

Good to know: room rates usually exclude meals, so check what your booking includes. The spa costs extra and is popular at weekends, so reserve time slots and treatments ahead. Book dinner at The London Carriage Works in advance. Parking is available nearby at the Anglican Cathedral car park, and the hotel publishes directions for it.