Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool – Review

For a luxury city break with a twist (& shout?) the Hard Days Night Hotel can`t be beaten- or is that beatled ?

The Hotel is located in the musical heart of Liverpool, next to the Cavern Club where four local lads took the world by storm and ensured that their city would be synonymous with rock `n` roll forever.

The hotel itself was realised with the help of European funding- entirely appropriate for 2008`s European City of Culture. Now surely it is set to become a mecca (`macca?`) for not only Beatles fans, but discerning international travellers looking for something a bit different.

The hotel is contemporary in décor, yet set in a grade 2 listed building, and the two harmonise beautifully. When we arrived, the bar was buzzing and we really felt like we were part of something special.

As you make your way up the spiral staircase, the walls celebrate the Beatles` relationship with their home city in a series of chronological photos that are all taken in Liverpool. Yet the theme is subtle and tasteful- no `yellow submarine` suite or `octopus`s garden` here! Some interesting artwork in the bar, including 2 abstracts by Stuart Sutcliffe (original bass player), ensure there is enough to keep diehard fans absorbed.

The rooms are spacious, colours are muted but there are splashes of modern patterns in brighter colours, giving the rooms a fresh feel. Each room boasts some Beatle artwork above the bed. It was unfortunate for us that in our room the painting of Paul McCartney looked spookily like Cliff Richard.
Our decked balcony overlooked the busy streets below which was great for people- watching, also great for smokers.
There are several mod-cons in the rooms which add nicely to the experience, a coffee percolator, satellite television and a remote bedside light control. Despite the hotel`s location, the sounds of the city stay outside making a stay there a peaceful one.

Blake`s Restaurant continues the Beatles theme and mixes it with a great menu and faultless service. The food on offer is in the modern European style. The menu didn`t present the widest selection I`ve ever seen but still enough for decision making to be difficult. What we did eat was so impressive; they have obviously perfected their menu instead of spreading themselves too thinly and sacrificing quality. As for quantity, they got it just right and I left feeling satisfyingly full without overdoing it. The wine list was extensive and varied in both price and country of origin. I was recommended the house red and was not disappointed.

The staff throughout the Hotel were excellent, all looking like they felt it a privilege to work there. And this is how you feel staying there – privileged and like a little part of history. If you can get a chance to stay at The Hard Day`s Night Hotel , do – it`s `fab`, just like the Four who were its inspiration.