Hop on train from London to Liverpool. Short taxi drive to hotel. Check-in. Plonk bags in room. Head out for lunch. Sip wine. Relax. Gaze at the sparkling Royal Albert Dock. Visit galleries and museums. Talk. Laugh. Talk again. Talk without being interrupted by a three year old. Talk about the children. Eat more food. Drink more wine. Take blurry photos. Sleep. Really sleep. One whole night. Eat breakfast- slowly. Read the paper. Explore. Talk about the kids again. Visit The Beatles museum. Talk about The Beatles. Listen to The Beatles. Buy a Beatles T-shirt. Look in wonder at the street art. Take bad photos. Take good photos. Faff around in vintage shops trying on 70’s sparkly jumpers and sheepskin coats. Eat more. Drink more. Look around in wonder. Love every minute. Talk about coming back again.
That is one night in Liverpool. Sans-children. Tempted?
We stayed at the Pullman Hotel. A new addition to the Pullman family after London St Pancras, this time set on the world famous waterfront, the Kings Dock, Liverpool. Only 15 minutes drive away from Lime Street station and a nice scenic route through the City.
On arrival, check-in was simple and stress free, with friendly and welcoming staff at your service quickly and efficiently. You won’t find your usual reception area here, but more of a free flowing entrance area. First impression of the Pullman Hotel is its mixture of business and pleasure. Cosy lounge and dining areas next to sleek lines and laptop hubs. This is the place for the stylish explorers, the global nomads. Its design blurs the lines between leisure and work with sophistication and playfulness.
Our room was a Deluxe Suite boasting floor to ceiling windows with an incredible view of the waterfront as well as a view of the Wheel of Liverpool. Bed was comfy. Room was clean. Nespresso machine and mini-bar included. Winner. Room service is available and movie channels galore. Our Beatles “All you need is fudge” tin on the bed was a nice touch too and was devoured in no time. The Pullman Hotel definitely trumps on Location. Everything you want to see and do is within walking distance, which is really liberating during a short stay.
First stop was the beautiful Royal Albert Dock. The most visited tourist attraction in Liverpool which gained its Royal status in 2018. Its huge red cast iron pillars are iconic, holding up the beautiful grade 1 listed building. Residence of the Dock includes many bars and restaurants, cafés and shops, as well as museums and galleries including The Tate Liverpool and The Beatles Story. Day or night, buzzing and full of life, there is always something to see and do here.
We had lunch at one of Liverpool’s favourite restaurants; Maray. Situated within the Dock, Maray is a casually cool restaurant which serves an eclectic array of dishes inspired by the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. After speaking to co-founder Tom, whose passion for his restaurant and food is palpable, I learned that one of his biggest inspirations was a falafel shop in Les Marais, Paris. The same falafel place that I was obsessed with when I lived in Paris for six months and that no one ever knows about when I ask. I was amazed. The food at Maray was a mouth watering selection of sharing plates, with the most imaginative and creative presentation. Disco Cauliflower anyone? It’s a must.
After being fed and wined we had a little browse around The Tate Liverpool, which sits proudly on the Dock too. The Tate has a large collection of Modern and Contemporary art as well as events and exhibitions running throughout the year. The glass mirrors exhibition is especially interesting. Definitely worth a visit. And it’s free!
As the sun set and winters afternoon wrapped around us, we headed in to Liverpool City centre. It is here I noticed just how captivating Liverpool really is. I didn’t expect its charm to be so dazzling. Restaurants, bars and clubs line the streets, shoppers in full swing, music seeping through the doors; it’s an energy that is all encompassing.
Although many restaurants are dotted around the centre, we actually headed back to our hotel for dinner. An easy decision, when the onsite restaurant is one of Marco Pierre Whites; Wheelers. A restaurant typically known for its seafood, with classic recipes like the Oyster Rockefeller from its original menu dating back to 1856. Although a fish restaurant at heart, the menu does include a good variety of meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes. “At the end of the day, it’s just food isn’t it” – Marco Pierre White once said. A humble sentence from one of the most respected chefs around. I tried the fillet steak, which really was one of the best fillet steaks I have had. The simplicity of the dish, with its tender meat, peppercorn sauce and thick-cut skin-on chips, cooked to perfection, is what made it spectacular. It is this simplicity that echoes through the menu and which makes his food, not “just food” at all, but an experience.
Morning at The Pullman was deliciously relaxing. After a good night’s sleep we were ready to head to breakfast, which offered a mixture of continental and Full English choices. Chefs are available for requests at the open kitchen, freshly squeezed juices to choose from at the bar and tea and coffee brought to your table. Very similar to our breakfast time at home actually. She dreams.
Day two saw us exploring the Baltic Triangle, Liverpool’s creative quarter. Once nothing more than an industrial site with warehouses and factories, now an exciting creative hub, full of hopes and dreams. Start up companies, independent shops, alternative dining, live music venues, garage raves, urban gardens and much much more. It’s an exciting part of the City with an edgy vibe. A kind of hidden Shoreditch. But not as pretentious. Within this triangle you will find some of Liverpool’s most mesmerising street art. From the famous Liver Birds to Jogen Klopp, The Evolution of Man, and All You Need is Love, just to name a few. Keep your eyes up because the art is incredible and a huge part of Liverpool’s charm.
After our tour of the Triangle we were almost ready to head back to the station, but before our travels we needed some more food. Ok we didn’t need any more food but we were enjoying the luxury of eating without a baby throwing pasta on the floor or a 3 year olds refusal to sit still.
Bold Street was the place. This famously Bohemian Street in Liverpool lined with restaurants is a foodie’s heaven. A food revolution. Every other door has food behind it. Whether you need breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or cake. And to top it off, it’s sprinkled with a few vintage shops in between. Joy to the world. Dangerous place to visit if you have a train to catch though…
The Pullman Hotel Liverpool is an ideal place to stay and explore. Fantastic location and good value for money with rooms from £48 per night. Superior rooms from £90 per night; Executive rooms from £139 across all seasons, breakfast included and free Wi-Fi.