Hope Street Hotel

Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool: A Michelin Key Selected Urban Retreat

The Hope Street Hotel, nestled in Liverpool's vibrant Georgian Quarter, is consistently lauded as a chic and comfortable boutique hotel, earning it a Michelin Key selection. Guests frequently praise its distinctive design, exceptional service, and prime location, contributing to an overall sentiment of high satisfaction.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

With an average rating often exceeding 8.9 out of 10 from over 2,500 reviews, the general consensus for Hope Street Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, frequently described as "excellent" and "gorgeous." The sentiment is one of luxury, comfort, and a welcoming atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel boasts a "city chic" design that harmoniously blends original architectural elements like Cheshire brick, glass, iron pillars, and pitch pine beams with bespoke cherry, oak, and walnut furniture. This creates a modern yet warm and inviting "loft-like feel."
• Spa Facilities: The award-winning Hope Street Hotel Spa is a significant draw, featuring indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, a steam room, and an outdoor vitality pool. It has even been voted the UK's 'Best City Spa' by the Good Spa Guide.
• Exceptional Service: The staff are frequently described as "polite and helpful," "very welcoming," "friendly," and "super attentive," contributing to a "happy atmosphere."
• Location: Its position in the Georgian Quarter, between the city's two cathedrals, is highly valued for its proximity to cultural attractions like the Philharmonic Hall, theatres, and the city's shopping and entertainment districts.

3. Room Quality

The 149 rooms at Hope Street Hotel are generally described as spacious, tastefully decorated, and designed for comfort.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms feature wooden floors, high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and custom-made furniture. Beds are frequently praised as "incredibly comfortable" and "huge," often with Egyptian cotton sheets.
• Amenities: Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, Nespresso coffee machines, tea-making facilities, complimentary bottled water, bathrobes, and safes. Bathrooms are well-appointed with large luxury showers, rain showers, and premium Temple Spa or REN toiletries.
• Variety: Room types range from King Standard rooms to luxurious Rooftop Suites with terraces, city views, and even outdoor spa baths. Some rooms also feature balconies.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers two distinct dining experiences:

• The London Carriage Works: This award-winning restaurant holds 2 AA Rosettes and an AA Notable Wine List. It serves modern British cuisine with a strong emphasis on local, fresh, and seasonal produce. Guests have described meals here as "faultless" with inventive dishes.
• 1931: The newer restaurant, 1931, offers a more casual setting, serving pizza, pasta, salads, and sharing boards from noon until 10 pm daily.
• Breakfast: A cooked breakfast, ranging from a full 'Liverpool' to eggs Benedict, coupled with a continental buffet, is available for £19.50. Breakfast at 1931 is noted for its impressive buffet and locally sourced produce. 24-hour room service is also available.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hope Street Hotel receives consistent high praise. Staff are described as consistently helpful, very welcoming, friendly, and exceptional. Guests appreciate the attentive nature of the team, with nothing being too much trouble. Special touches, such as welcome chocolates for celebrations, are also noted.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location at 40 Hope Street is highly advantageous.

• Neighborhood: It's situated in the Georgian Quarter, a cultural hub between Liverpool's two cathedrals.
• Attractions: Guests can easily walk to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, various theatres, and the dockside Tate museum. Liverpool Lime Street Rail Station and the city's main shopping, eating, and entertainment district are approximately a 15-minute walk away. Other nearby attractions include Unity Theatre, Everyman Theatre, and Liverpool Anglican and Metropolitan Cathedrals.
• Transport: Lime Street train station is the closest, with taxis readily available for a quick ride. Bus stops for routes to the town centre, Lime Street station, and John Lennon Airport are within a 4-minute walk. The hotel also offers step-free access and accessible rooms with adapted bathrooms, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility. On-street parking meters are available, and the Anglican Cathedral car park is a recommended option, a five-minute walk from the hotel.

7. Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury boutique hotel, the value for money generally scores well (8.4 out of 10). Room rates can start from around £90 ($94 USD). However, prices can fluctuate significantly, with February being the cheapest month and May being the most expensive. A typical weeknight can average around $139 USD, while weekend nights can be significantly higher, averaging around $390 USD. It's important to note that access to the spa, while discounted for residents, incurs an additional cost of £45-£55 for a two-hour thermal journey.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Spa Pricing: A notable complaint is the additional cost for spa access, which some guests find "ridiculous pricing" given the room rate, particularly as the spa is independently operated.
• Room "Basicness" for Price: A few guests have felt that certain rooms, despite the overall high rating of the hotel, appeared "basic" or "plain Jane" for the price paid, suggesting that the spa and breakfast might inflate the perceived value.
• Noise: Some guests have reported noise, especially in the mornings, from storage rooms or from the restaurant downstairs.
• Minor Room Design Issues: Specific design elements, such as sharp corners on wooden bed frames, awkward sliding wardrobe doors, or complicated shower/bath tap systems, have been mentioned. One review noted a small table not being large enough for all amenities and a room lacking natural light in one instance. Another mentioned a shower that wasn't great and a slightly rusty showerhead.
• Coffee Quality: A guest mentioned that the coffee capsules might have changed and the coffee was "not as nice as usual."
• Window Views/Cleanliness: Some views from rooms were not great, and dusty windows have been noted.

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