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We went to a concert In Liverpool last Sunday evening and took advantage of Sunday night pricing to have a night away at the new Halyard property, about 10 minutes’ walk from Liverpool Lime Street station. There’s plenty of parking in the city if you’re driving, however.
The Halyard shares a building with the new HIEX, which I hadn’t realised. I did a bit of price checking and there’s not much difference (e.g. £299 v £261 next Saturday, which makes the HIEX terrible value!) I got an excellent cash rate at £89, although Fridays and Saturdays will be a lot more than this.
We arrived just before 2.30 pm and were firmly told to go away and come back at 3 pm. There were no other guests there, and I got the impression that there’s a zero-tolerance approach to early check-in as there was no way there wasn’t even one room ready (especially as they ultimately put us in the standard room we’d booked). There was plenty of seating and a few different areas to wait though. The public spaces are lovely, with tasteful furnishings and lots of windows and plants which give it a lovely, light “conservatory” feel.
There was no recognition of diamond status and the first thing the receptionist did was try and sell us breakfast (“We’ll have it as the diamond amenity, thanks”, said I in response). What we did get was the welcome tot of hot chocolate with coconut rum, which was delicious but probably appreciated more when it’s not the hottest day of the year.
We weren’t given an upgrade but the base rooms are very nice, furnished as per the pictures on the website with a Dualit coffee machine, kettle, nice selection of teas and coffees and proper wine glasses as well as the ones in the bathroom. There were 2 packs of really delicious salted caramel biscuits as well.
The mini fridge, aka “stocked mini bar” contained 2 cans of water and a teeny weeny bottle of milk. All credit for the milk, however I am fairly certain that this does not qualify as a stocked mini bar in Liverpool! I couldn’t be bothered to ask whether this was an oversight or for real.
The bathroom was quite basic with a sliding door which felt a bit rickety (but at least mercifully wasn’t made of glass!) The sink is in the bedroom, so you risk getting the floor wet. Toiletries were Temple Spa which didn’t feel hugely upmarket. The lighting took a bit of trial and error – the main light and floor light both illuminate the bathroom and sink area which means you can’t avoid disturbing your partner at night. Towels were wonderfully thick and fluffy.
For @Aston100, the loo paper was thick but really quite harsh, for @Harry T, the air con was pleasingly arctic once it got going. The bed was ever so slightly on the hard side but I don’t mind this.
The wardrobe is open-ish, the main part where the robes were stored has a gold mesh door at each side which makes it look a bit like a cage! There are loads of plug sockets with USB ports, and several mirrors, including a full-length one. This is Liverpool, so some rooms are advertised as having GHD hair straighteners – I only found a traditional hairdryer though.
We ate at Voyagers, the on-site restaurant, which serves small plates of delicious, beautifully presented food. There is a limited but very reasonably priced wine list and a more extensive cocktail selection. The service here was impeccable, with lots of attentive and friendly staff – they have definitely got this right. It’s worth eating here even if you’re not staying.
Breakfast was also served there; there’s a small buffet plus a la carte menu with a decent range of choices. You can also pay a small supplement for items like eggs Florentine but OH made do with the full English and I had an omelette with extra bits from the buffet. Fruit juice and coffee are served to your table, and there’s a selection of nice breads you can cut and toast on the bar.So it’s a bit of a mixed bag but I think it’s going to be popular and I wouldn’t be surprised to see prices heading to silly levels on peak nights. I’ve seen a couple of reviews where diamond members haven’t been acknowledged, so some staff training might be in order. Contrast this with the HI and Staybridge Suites where we’ve had upgrades and generally been treated really well (HI didn’t charge us for parking when we stayed there last year).
With the balcony rooms and suites and very attractive interiors, I think it’ll become something of a “destination” hotel – I haven’t stayed in a Vignette property before but I’d put it somewhere between Indigo and Kimpton. Of course Liverpool is a great night out (whatever age you are) – @Rhys should probably come up again and see if he can get into one of the superior rooms!
I have to ask, @NorthernLass: did you go to see China Crisis or The Teardrop Explodes?!
I have to ask, @NorthernLass: did you go to see China Crisis or The Teardrop Explodes?!
Depends if it was a “Reward” night!
I have to ask, @NorthernLass: did you go to see China Crisis or The Teardrop Explodes?!
Depends if it was a “Reward” night!
Bazinga!!
Lol! It was a Rat Pack tribute concert, I fancied a bit of old-fashioned, Vegas-style glamour 😂
Early check-in, subject to availability, is a Platinum/Diamond benefit. Being denied that seems consistent with the lack of recognition.
Thanks for this. Is on our list.
Lol! It was a Rat Pack tribute concert, I fancied a bit of old-fashioned, Vegas-style glamour 😂
Love it!!
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