Where to Book Your Stay in Liverpool Like a Local

Red light district-turned-hipster ‘hood, the Baltic Triangle is the place to head in search of street art and vintage markets, indie coffee shops and gin gardens. You can go clubbing at Camp and Furnace, do street food at Baltic Market and work your way round craft breweries such as Love Lane and Black Lodge. Box-fresh hotel the Baltic, set in a warehouse conversion, typifies the area’s alternative edge with turntables, in-room tablets and fully stocked fridges in the industrial-style rooms, as well as the downstairs Duck & Swagger pub and Brasserie restaurant.

Before this popular boutique hotel opened its 14 desirable, retro-glam bedrooms, its bar/restaurant was already a favourite hangout for locals. Against an attractive backdrop of exposed brick walls, parquet flooring and richly coloured velvets, the kitchen kicks off the day with a wonderfully comprehensive brunch menu then switches to pizzas and pasta mid-afternoon; while the bar serves up cocktails, wine and craft ales, including beers from Love Lane Brewery, a 15-minute walk away.

The front-desk staff at The Resident aren’t just there to check you in to the smart self-catering apartments that fill this 19th-century warehouse conversion in the Ropewalks area. They also double up as Resident Insiders – specially trained experts who know all there is to know about the local area – and are on hand 24/7 to supply a wealth of tailored-to-you tips on all the best places to go, eat, drink and shop, making it one of the best places to stay in Liverpool.

With its high ceilings, draped pelmets and grand central staircase, there’s a classic look to the interior at Heywood House, which seems only appropriate given the building’s late-18th-century origins as the premises for Liverpool’s first bank. This whole area around Castle Street, once the city’s financial hub, is now home to a lively dining scene, with quality bars and restaurants where you can rub shoulders with locals increasingly setting up shop behind ornate historic facades.

This chic boutique hotel in the Georgian Quarter makes a great base for exploring Liverpool’s burgeoning food scene. As well as having a fine restaurant of its own, The London Carriage Works, it’s also just a short walk away from other indie stars, including The Art School Restaurant, where Paul Askew’s inventive menus feature northwest produce such as Wirral ricotta and Liverpool Bay seabass, and Röski, with whimsical but well-executed dishes from MasterChef: The Professionals winner Anton Piotrowski. The property is perfect for foodies looking for a place to stay in Liverpool.

Beatles references come thick and fast in Liverpool, but if you really want to tune in to all things Fab Four, this Cavern Quarter hotel is the obvious place to stay. Statues of John, Paul, George and Ringo adorn the façade, Beatles-inspired artworks fill the walls and signature cocktails take their names from the band’s famous song lyrics. All rooms come with Hypnos beds and monsoon showers; upgrade to the Lennon Suite to tinkle on the ivories of a white baby grand.

The hotel’s name and Titanic-themed artworks commemorate the fact that the ill-fated ocean liner was registered with Liverpool’s White Star Line, once based in the city centre. Staying in this converted warehouse, you get a sense of the monumental importance of Liverpool’s historic docks and maritime history. Rooms and public areas are grand in scale and filled with original features, and there’s an impressive view across the water to the Tobacco Warehouse, once the world’s largest brick building.

This converted warehouse is in the Ropewalks District, so when you’re not lounging around, enjoying the living-like-a-local vibe of your self-catering apartment, you have plenty of nearby bars and restaurants to discover. Enjoy sociable dining at Duke Street Market, with food stalls set around communal tables, and head to boho Bold Street to support indie ventures such as Maray (Middle Eastern food), Leaf (all-day casual eats, speciality teas, artsy events) and The Little Shoe (British brasserie and micro-bakery).