I made a trip to the Mersey a few weeks back, and I was lucky enough to stay at the lovely Seel Street Hotel, which was really in the very thick of it in the buzzing Ropewalks area.
The hotel was just snappy 10-minute walk from the train station which was more than bearable, even during a light showering of rain which reminded me politely that I was still in the North.
Seel Street Hotel was easy to find and welcoming from the get-go with a colourful bar being the first thing you are met with. Drinks were great and the interior had a fun tropical theme which was just what I needed to forget about the terrible weather outside.
We sipped a couple of glasses of fizz at Toucan Bar before we were shown to our room. Now, the Super-Luxe room was incredible and I could barely control my excitement. It was enormous with a beautiful bathroom, a gigantic super king bed and a roof terrace with the most gorgeous view.
The room was spacious and well designed with modern furniture and jewel-tone colours. After a freshen up in the rain shower I slipped into a fluffy robe and slippers and jumped into the bed which was just as comfortable as it looked with a satisfying bounce which almost threw me straight out again.
The desire to let it swallow me up into a deep slumber was almost too much to resist.
Being at the top of the building meant that we were treated with the vista which overlooked much of the city. It was a lovely touch, and being able to stand on the terrace in the morning whilst sipping a cup of coffee and enjoying the view was the perfect cure for my sore head.
Speaking of sore heads, the hotel was within a stone’s throw of a plethora of bars, restaurants and clubs. From trendy independents to cheap-and-cheerful pubs, there is really something for everyone in the area including a couple of places to dance late into the night.
I got the feeling that that’s what many of my other fellow guests were using the hotel as a base so they could enjoy the ample nightlife with a place to crash at a more than safe distance. In the halls, you could hear gaggles of girls getting ready and people listening to music which was nice to hear – and even better when you didn’t hear a peep after the door was closed.
For dinner, we shuffled off to Maray on neighbouring Bold Street – a restaurant famed for their small plates and cocktails. It did not disappoint and being within stumbling distance of plenty of other bars and the hotel meant it is a perfect choice for any traveller.
After dinner, we made a few pit-stops off at local bars along the path home. The last but by no means least was an interesting place called Kazimer Garden. This was a quirky little bar which was split over two floors which a bit open courtyard in the middle.
The place looked purpose built and a little bit shabby but in the best possible way. The drink offering was nice, simple and everything you needed while the steady beat of some laid-back dance music pulsed in the background. I strongly recommend you join them for a drink if you are ever in town!
We got back to Seel Street Hotel and jumped straight into bed for one of the most restful night’s sleep I have had in a long time. We awoke in the morning to some better weather where we enjoyed a cuppa on the terrace followed by a quick brunch downstairs in the Toucan bar.
After check out, we made it back to the station and hopped on a train back to Manchester. We were home in an hour which amazed me, as I had that lovely relaxed feeling you get from being away on holiday.
If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful get away without having to venture too far, then I really recommend you look at Liverpool. It is a wonderfully historic city with great food, plenty to drink and a nightlife scene which will knock your socks off. And if you stay anywhere in Liverpool- let it be Seel Street Hotel if it is the last thing you do.
Seel Street Hotel by Epic has rooms starting at just £69 per night.
Seel Street Hotel, 25-27 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4AU