Forget Edinburgh: Liverpool is arguably one of the best cities in the UK for a weekend break. With a musical heritage that’s the envy of the world, it’s also a cultural powerhouse when it comes to the arts, with world-class museums such as the Tate, the Walker Art Gallery and the newly opened Shakespeare North Playhouse settling in the city. It’s also home to a buzzing food scene – whether it’s elevated Indian street food at Mowgli, top-end tasting menus at The Art School, or sourdough pizza at Pizza Punks – meaning you can feel safe that your taste buds will be satiated during your stay.
While its music and football are global exports, Liverpool is also renowned for being a major destination for a night on the tiles. Liverpool’s nightlife is the stuff of legend, whether you’re in the market for classy cocktails, karaoke or dancing until dawn.
Liverpool’s star has been on the ascendent since its successful tenure as the European Capital of Culture in 2008. And in 2023, 162 million viewers from around the world tuned in to watch Liverpool play host to the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, an event that has reportedly added an additional £11.1 million to the local economy in the past year alone.
Scousers’ fabled reputation for warmth and hospitality means there are plenty of comfortable beds to rest your head, whatever your budget or taste. I grew up in the city and these are the hotels I’d recommend, from fancy spa hotels, to affordable boutique digs.
For the best budget hotels in Liverpool and the best spa hotels in Liverpool, see our guides.
Best hotels in Liverpool 2025
At a glance
1. The Municipal Hotel & Spa
It may have only opened in 2023, but The Municipal has already established itself as one of Liverpool’s most impressive architectural feats and certainly the most Instagrammable. Enter through the Palm Court, a lavish lobby and bar that could have been designed by Gatsby. This is also where the restaurant, The Seaforth, is located, which is well worth dining at if you’re interested in locally-inspired cuisine and enjoy live piano. If you’d prefer to head out for dinner, you’re just a short walk from Castle Street, where some of Liverpool’s best restaurants are located. The rooms themselves are large, with high ceilings, enormous beds, and lots of original features (the building is over 150 years old). And as this is a hotel that feels like luxury, it would be rude not to spend an afternoon at the spa, which features a full-size pool with Elemis treatments on offer.
Address: Municipal Building, Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH
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2. Hope Street Hotel
Located in the Georgian Quarter, one of the city’s most charming areas that’s packed with traditional pubs, as well as the Liverpool Philharmonic, the Hope Street Hotel is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a chic hotel that doesn’t try too hard. The rooms are decorated simply – think hardwood floors and minimalist Scandi decor – but have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including bath robes, slippers and 24-hour room service. Their spa is one of the best in the city, with an outdoor and indoor pool. You’re within walking distance of the city centre, although some of the best restaurants are a stone’s throw away, including The London Carriage Works which is part of the hotel and has two (very well-deserved) AA Rosettes.
Address: 40 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9DA
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3. Titanic Hotel
Liverpool’s docks are an iconic part of the city, and The Titanic Hotel not only offers a chance to stay on them, but also honours their history. A restored 19th-century rum warehouse, each of the rooms blends historic features with contemporary design elements. Even the smallest rooms are double the size of a conventional hotel room, with double beds, couches and desks in most. The bathrooms include drench showers – with shower heads secured at least ten feet high – and plenty include tubs too. If the luxury of your own bathroom isn’t enough, head to the underground spa, which resembles an ancient Roman bath with its brick walls and hydrotherapy pool. You’re about a 30-minute walk or less than a 10-minute drive from the city centre, so it’s worth keeping that in mind if you’re planning on hitting some of the city’s tourist spots. But if your main priority is a comfortable, luxurious hotel, the taxi ride is well worth it.
Address: Stanley Dock, Regent Road, Liverpool L3 0AN
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4. The Halyard
If you’re looking for a centrally located hotel, you can’t do much better than The Halyard. Turn right and you’re on Seel Street, the best place in town for a night out, or turn left towards the city centre and the Albert Dock for shopping and sightseeing. Although The Halyard is part of a chain (IHG Hotels), it feels personal to the city, with art in each room inspired by the history of Ropewalks, the area the hotel is based, which was once a hub for rope-making for the city’s ships. The rooms are modern and stylish and are designed as much with luxury as convenience in mind, with bathrobes and slippers included, as well as coffee machines. If you’re a sucker for a good view, it’s worth booking one of their suites on the top floor, which have extensive balconies and seating areas and incredible views of the Anglican Cathedral and Liver Building.
Address: 123 Duke Street, Liverpool L1 4JR
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5. The Resident
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Looking for somewhere simple and convenient to rest your head during a city break but don’t want to skimp on niceties? The Resident has everything you need for a good night’s sleep and midday stopovers while exploring Liverpool. You’ll probably always be within a 15-minute walk of wherever you want to go and you’re also right at the heart of the party as The Resident is nestled amongst some of the best bars in Liverpool. But don’t worry – they take their sound-proofing seriously, so you won’t be kept up by rowdy stag dos (in fact, this is the top-rated Liverpool hotel on TripAdvisor). Each room also comes with a mini kitchen, which is ideal if you’re planning on a budget weekend break.
Address: 29 Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4AU
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6. INNSiDE by Melia
INNSiDE by Melia is about as Mediterranean as you can get this side of the Channel. Inspired by Spanish hospitality, the rooms are light and airy with simple but chic decor. You’ll have views of the city or the docks, depending on which room you choose, but it’s worth having a drink at the rooftop bar for a proper panoramic look at the city. You’re close to the Albert Dock here, and you can also walk into the city centre in under ten minutes. Castle Street is also just down the road which houses some of Liverpool’s best restaurants. The hotel also has a Gino D’Acampo restaurant on the bottom floor.
Address: 43 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9PP
Read more: The best Lake District hotels for 2025, with lakeside views, spas and Michelin stars
7. Pullman Liverpool
This waterfront four-star hotel offers deluxe accommodation for a really good night’s sleep after a day of sightseeing or a night of partying. It’s less than a 10-minute walk away from some of the best museums in Liverpool, including the Tate and The Beatles Story and this is also probably the most convenient hotel to stay at if you’re heading to the M&S Bank Arena for a show. Plus, you’re guaranteed views of the waterfront, which is the best way to wake up in Liverpool.
Address: King’s Dock, Port of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 4FP
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8. Baltic Hotel
The Baltic Triangle is quickly becoming the best place to spend a day – and the night – in Liverpool and this boutique hotel is situated right in the heart of the action. Located 15 minutes from the city centre, The Baltic Triangle is the place to be for the most exciting new restaurant launches, and a really good night out (that doesn’t involve Irish bars or karaoke). The Baltic Hotel’s rooms are just as cool as this corner of Liverpool, each of which is decorated with lots of colour and personality, including fridges that look like amp speakers.
Address: 16 Jamaica Street, Liverpool L1 0AF
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9. School Lane Hotel
This is probably the best place to stay if you’re planning a weekend full of shopping. The little sister of The Hope Street Hotel, this is just as comfortable a spot to rest your head and even more centrally located, just down the road from The Bluecoat, which is a hub for independent boutiques and busy Bold Street, where you can spend a whole afternoon vintage shopping. The rooms are bright and decorated with pale oak and crisp white bedding. With just 55 rooms, the staff are extremely personable and there are free pastries and coffee on offer each morning, which is a nice touch.
Address: 8 School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT
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10. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa
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A grade II-listed building, this city-centre DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel feels seriously swanky, with grand staircases that are ideal for pre-night-out snaps and Italian mosaic floors. When you check in, you’ll be given a warm chocolate chip cookie, and you’ll be continually spoiled throughout your stay. The rooms are stylish with exposed wood beams, crisp white bedding and large bathroom vanities. You can also treat yourself to a massage at the spa, which gets you access to the sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool. Talk about an urban oasis.
Address: 6 Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool L1 6BR
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11. Hard Days Night Hotel
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Embracing Beatlemania during your trip to Liverpool? Hard Days Night is the obvious choice for a golden slumber. It’s the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotel but don’t worry – there’s no tacky tributes here. The hotel is housed in a grade II-listed building and the decor is sleek and sophisticated. There are over 100 pieces of Beatles-inspired original artwork and memorabilia and you’ll of course be listening to The Fab Four at breakfast and while you’re wandering around the hotel corridors. You’re also right in the centre of town, and The Cavern Club is practically on your doorstep.
Address: Central Buildings, North John Street, Liverpool L2 6RR
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12. Malmaison Hotel
This is another dockside hotel, which makes the perfect base for a city break in Liverpool. The decor is moody and seriously stylish, making it the ideal spot for an end-of-the-night tipple. Their suites in particular are worth booking if you want a room with a lot of personality, having just been renovated in 2023. They offer afternoon tea and great Sunday roasts, which is ideal if you’re planning a late night in the city and would prefer to stay within the four walls of your accommodation the next day.
Address: 7 William Jessop Way, Liverpool L3 1QZ
Read more: The best hotels to stay in near Manchester Airport before hopping on a flight
When is the best time of year to visit?
This depends on what you plan to do during your stay. Visiting from late May to early July offers you the greatest chance of good weather outside of the busy summer holiday period. January to March is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit, but you may have to contend with poor weather. June brings Africa Oyé festival, the UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture (although it’s on hiatus in 2025), while August is International Beatleweek, attracting fans of the Fab Four from around the world.
Where do celebrities stay in Liverpool?
Many celebrities opt for luxury Airbnb-style apartments or private residences in areas such as Sefton Park and Calderstones, but Titanic Hotel, Malmaison and The Shankly Hotel are said to be popular with the great and the good. Elsewhere, Daniel Craig and Yoko Ono are both rumoured to have stayed at the Hope Street Hotel (although not at the same time).
Best areas to stay and where to avoid:
Liverpool ONE is a great choice for first-time visitors with almost everything you’ll want to see within walking distance, while the Georgian Quarter is home to beautiful architecture, history and a quieter vibe. The Baltic Triangle is popular with young people and creatives and home to bars and street food, and you’ll find museums and the city’s waterfront in the Albert Dock area. Conversely, Toxteth, Anfield (on non-match days) and Kensington don’t have as much to offer tourists.
How to get the best deal:
If you like the sound of our recommended hotels, check price comparison sites like Trivago and Skyscanner to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Don’t forget to check how much it costs to book directly too – hotels often prefer this option, so may offer you a saving compared to third-party sites. With our exclusive Expedia discount code below, you can also save six per cent on hotel bookings. Some of our recommended hotels in Liverpool, including Hope Street Hotel and Pullman Liverpool, are listed on Expedia so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to use the discount code.
You can also find more Expedia promo codes on our dedicated deals page.
Why trust us
The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent’s expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.
