Pros
- Excellent Albert Docks location within walking distance of the city center
- Housed in a 19th-century warehouse with period features
- Flat-screen TVs with pay movies in the basic rooms
- All rooms have dock or river views
- Buffet breakfast included in the rate
- Free Wi-Fi throughout (though charged for faster speed)
Cons
- Chain-like decor feels odd with the building's history
- No air-conditioning in rooms
- Can be noisy on weekends
- No fitness center
Bottom Line
This 135-room Holiday Inn Express is a mid-range, chain hotel with two notable stand-out features: its 19th century warehouse setting and Albert Docks location. Although many of the original period elements have been retained, the chain-style makeover of the interiors fall short of the building's potential. Rooms, however, are well-equipped and comfortable, all affording impressive waterway views. Overall, rates are good for what you get, though it's worth comparing prices to the nearby Premier Inn which might offer slightly better value.
Amenities
- Cribs
- Internet
Scene
Basic chain hotel in a 19th-century warehouse
This Holiday Inn Express is housed in an imposing, late 19th-century red brick warehouse that was once part of Albert Dock's thriving shipping and trade industry. Being part of Liverpool dock's UNESCO heritage designation, the building is Grade I Listed and so retains much of its original character and architecture elements. While the facade is beautifully preserved, retaining even the original iron crane braces, the entrance is a cavernous, cobblestone floor space with little beyond tourist pamphlets and a few sepia-tinted photos. While keeping its exposed brick walls and curved ceilings, the second-floor lobby decor is full-on Holiday Inn chain style and disappointingly ill-matched to the property's period heritage. Hallways are also relatively characterless, with only the occasion nod to the original structure and not quite doing justice to the building. That said, interiors are clean, modern, and functional with superb views over the water, and they're certainly still more interesting than your average mid-range chain experience.
Location
Prime setting on Liverpool's Albert Dock opposite the Echo Arena
The hotel occupies a prime position right on Liverpool's Albert Dock on the River Mersey, and opposite the Echo Arena. There's plenty within walking distance, with Tate Liverpool art gallery and the interactive Beatles Story exhibition in the dock area, while the Cavern Club where the Beatles first played is 15 minutes away on foot. While the area is generally quite quiet at night -- at least during the week -- there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area. James Street train station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel while John Lennon Airport is eight miles or 20 minutes away by car.
Rooms
All rooms have original warehouse windows overlooking water
The 135 rooms continue the interior styling of the lobby, with lots of exposed brick, exposed iron struts, and the original curved warehouse windows, coupled with standard homogenized decor and furnishings typical of the chain. A big plus is that all rooms have views over the docks or the river, though despite double glazing, street noise can be an issue. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs with pay-per-view movies -- though no air-conditioning might be a problem in hot weather. Bathrooms are small but clean and modern with walk-in showers, hairdryers, and basic toiletries.
Features
Buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi both free of charge
The hotel has a large dining area serving a buffet breakfast, which is always included in the room rate; it's basic but pretty decent. The is also a bar in the Great Room which is open all day and offers armchairs and a large TV. Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the property (higher speed is available for a fee) and there is a staffed business center with computer terminals. There is also meeting space available.
Related Hotels
Scene
Basic chain hotel in a 19th-century warehouse
This Holiday Inn Express is housed in an imposing, late 19th-century red brick warehouse that was once part of Albert Dock's thriving shipping and trade industry. Being part of Liverpool dock's UNESCO heritage designation, the building is Grade I Listed and so retains much of its original character and architecture elements. While the facade is beautifully preserved, retaining even the original iron crane braces, the entrance is a cavernous, cobblestone floor space with little beyond tourist pamphlets and a few sepia-tinted photos. While keeping its exposed brick walls and curved ceilings, the second-floor lobby decor is full-on Holiday Inn chain style and disappointingly ill-matched to the property's period heritage. Hallways are also relatively characterless, with only the occasion nod to the original structure and not quite doing justice to the building. That said, interiors are clean, modern, and functional with superb views over the water, and they're certainly still more interesting than your average mid-range chain experience.
Location
Prime setting on Liverpool's Albert Dock opposite the Echo Arena
The hotel occupies a prime position right on Liverpool's Albert Dock on the River Mersey, and opposite the Echo Arena. There's plenty within walking distance, with Tate Liverpool art gallery and the interactive Beatles Story exhibition in the dock area, while the Cavern Club where the Beatles first played is 15 minutes away on foot. While the area is generally quite quiet at night -- at least during the week -- there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area. James Street train station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel while John Lennon Airport is eight miles or 20 minutes away by car.
Rooms
All rooms have original warehouse windows overlooking water
The 135 rooms continue the interior styling of the lobby, with lots of exposed brick, exposed iron struts, and the original curved warehouse windows, coupled with standard homogenized decor and furnishings typical of the chain. A big plus is that all rooms have views over the docks or the river, though despite double glazing, street noise can be an issue. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs with pay-per-view movies -- though no air-conditioning might be a problem in hot weather. Bathrooms are small but clean and modern with walk-in showers, hairdryers, and basic toiletries.
Features
Buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi both free of charge
The hotel has a large dining area serving a buffet breakfast, which is always included in the room rate; it's basic but pretty decent. The is also a bar in the Great Room which is open all day and offers armchairs and a large TV. Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the property (higher speed is available for a fee) and there is a staffed business center with computer terminals. There is also meeting space available.
Best Rates
Amenities
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Business Center
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Cable
-
Cribs
-
Dry Cleaning
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Free Breakfast
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Internet
-
Kids Allowed
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Laundry
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Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Poolside Drink Service
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Rental Car Service Desk Onsite
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
