Aloft Liverpool

The Aloft Liverpool opened in 2014; however, the imposing edifice it occupies (the former Royal Insurance Building) was constructed more than a century earlier, and it's still a showstopper. Outside, the granite-and-limestone facade is graced with Doric columns, carved figures, cupola-topped turrets, and a campanile which give it an aura of grandeur. Inside, the cavernous main level is full of original features which recall the building’s glory days -- among them Brazilian walnut panelling, inlaid marble floors, stunning stained-glass and ceilings notable for their ornamental plasterwork. Yet rather than decorate it in a clubby, old-school manner, the designers opted for a contemporary contrast, adding sleek-lined leather furnishings in the restaurant/bar and funkier, less formal ones in the adjacent lounge. It’s a striking mix that fits the sensibilities of the young professionals who tend to stay here.

Situated amidst office buildings on a busy, city-center street, Aloft is a convenient choice for both business and leisure travelers -- particularly younger ones. Albert Dock (home to top attractions like the Beatles Story, the Merseyside Maritime Museum, and the Tate Liverpool) is an easy stroll away, as is Liverpool ONE (the U.K.’s largest open-air shopping complex). A variety of nightlife options are also accessible on foot, from the thumping clubs of Concert Square to the upper-crust Philharmonic Hall. Since public transit is readily available, too, guests won’t need a car here: if you do have one, however, discounted rates are available at a secure parking facility that's only a four-minute walk from the hotel. 

• Two-minute walk to Liverpool Town Hall
• Six-minute walk to Liverpool James Street Station
• 10-minute walk to the Liverpool ONE Bus Station
• 10-minute walk to Liverpool Central Station
• 11-minute walk to Concert Square 
• 12-minute walk to the Liverpool Empire Theatre
• 13-minute walk to the Merseyside Maritime Museum
• 14-minute walk to the Tate Liverpool
• 16-minute walk to The Beatles Story
• 19-minute walk to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
• 19-minute walk to the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre 
• 30-minute drive to Liverpool John Lennon Airport  

Guest rooms at this Aloft are sleek and streamlined, decked out in modular, wood-grain furniture, platform beds, and prints of architectural sketches. But their gray-on-gray textiles and walls will either read as the height of hipness or too somber and dreary, depending on taste. Still, the addition of orange beanbag chairs and bright pixelated bolster pillows add a bit of color and cheer. The tiled bathrooms -- complete with walk-in rainfall showers and tempting Bliss toiletries -- continue the modern, minimalist look.  

All rooms are conveniently equipped with iron/ironing boards, coffee/tea-makers, mini-fridges (as opposed to stocked minibars), air-conditioning, digital safes, iPod docking stations, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Note that, despite being a designated heritage property, the Aloft Liverpool does have specially modified rooms for mobility-impaired guests as well as connecting ones that will appeal to families (free cribs are also available for the latter on request). 

The Aloft brand aims to lure in a young corporate traveler, and its features generally reflect that. Chief among them is the in-house restaurant, NYL, which specializes in chops, cheesecakes and other “New York-inspired” dishes. Cool quilted banquettes upholstered in tan leather make the dining section a stylish place to eat; while a craft cocktail list and live music on the weekends make its bar area ideal for lingering. To the left of the reception desk, a lounge, outfitted with computer workstations, a pool table and a second bar, serves light bites; to the right, a 24-hour grab-and-go station sells assorted snacks. (If hunger hits after hours, room service is also offered). Other on-site facilities include five meeting room which combine vintage wood paneling with high-tech A/V equipment, and a fitness room with treadmills, elliptical machines and more. Other helpful amenities include dry-cleaning/laundry services and reliable free Wi-Fi.