This hot-to-trot Liverpool address offers a relaxing experience like no other, says Amelia Walker
I visit the rapidly regenerating city of Liverpool to attend the PA Expo at the Exhibition Centre in November 2016. It’s been four years since I was last in town and having heard about Titanic Hotel Liverpool in Stanley Dock on the grapevine, I was intrigued to check into this former warehouse turned hotel and my, my, it surely didn’t disappoint.
A full day expo as many of you are sure to know is long and tiring – and after six hours in high heels one simply wants to head back to a comfortable abode, kick off their shoes and relax. And relax here I did.
All 153 rooms are unique in their design and are inspired by the historical influences of the Stanley dock conservation area and Liverpool’s shipbuilding past and come with the original windows giving vast views over the historic Port of Liverpool.
Each bedroom is graced with space and natural light, with furnishings that are elegant, rich and luxurious. The Cloud 9 snow-white bed linen on the oversized beds is nothing short of wondrous, while big gleaming bathrooms rock drench showers. Be it Classic, Superior, Superior Dockside, Superior Corner, or the crème de la crème Presidential Suite with separate lounge/entertainment area and kitchenette and deep tub bath, the hotel offers a good array of room options depending on budget and size preference. It’s a place that will appeal to professionals on business who favour subtle luxury.
Rooms come with 100mb broadband work space and desk area, so after you’ve fired off those all-important emails you can revive yourself with a visit to the hydrotherapy pool at Maya Blue – the hotel’s sumptuous spa. I wile away two hours (there’s a two-hour limit) using the sanarium, sauna and steam room and emerge renewed. FYI – pre-booking access to the Thermal Suite is essential. There is also a fully-fledged plush gym.
Stanley’s Bar & Grill is the hotel’s restaurant and my next port of call. Having won OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice 2015 award I’m intrigued to sample the menu. Beer battered fish, loin of cod, seabass with seared scallop, and beetroot risotto are just a few examples of the tantilising dishes you can expect to find. I’ve heard that it’s a bit of a city destination and even on a Tuesday evening I’m surprised to find it fairly buzzy; soft music is in the background, the ambiance is pleasant and in spite of the vast size it’s rather cozy. The charming waiter recommends the 10oz Rib-Eye steak with triple cooked chips, which is fantastic, washed down nicely with a large red. I lope off to bed comfortably full, ready to slide those high heels back on again the following morning – and the final day of the show.
For a one-night city stay this hotel is sure to make a good impression – be it if you fancy a wellness getaway for yourself, or when booking accommodation for your boss. The funky décor, spa facilities and cuisine are top-notch – my only pernickety comment being that I requested a wake-up call the following morning at 6am and it didn’t happen. Fortunately, I set my phone alarm anyway, but for those in town on business you may want to request two, just in case the first one doesn’t transpire.
The hotel also boasts an impressive meeting, events and banqueting space, fabulously named The Rum Warehouse – a restored 1950s warehouse adjoining the hotel that seats 1,000 delegates over two levels. Packages include intimate meetings for between 10 and 50 delegates, complimentary onsite parking, preferential accommodation rates and audio visual equipment, and for bigger, more lavish soirées such as bespoke Christmas parties the Warehouse seats up to 500 guests.
Titanic Hotel Liverpool, Stanley Dock, Regent Road, Liverpool L3 0AN; 0151 559 1444; titanichotelliverpool.com
