WHAT’S IT LIKE? Opened in April, the Jurys Inn Liverpool is a new-build three-star property located at Kings Waterfront, an area of the city which is undergoing a huge amount of redevelopment. Enter from street level, and a staircase takes you up to reception, an airy, glass-fronted space decorated with wood, marble, splashes of orange, and floor-to-ceiling windows which offer a glimpse of the river. To one side is the Inntro bar and, to the other, the open-plan Innfusion restaurant where breakfast is served.
WHERE IS IT? The red-brick hotel is a short taxi ride from Liverpool Lime Street station. It’s situated just back from the waterfront near Albert Dock and Tate Liverpool, and opposite the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool. The area has a very fresh feel to it as so many buildings have recently been constructed here.
ROOM FACILITIES All the rooms are in the same Standard category and offer a simple, clean and comfortable environment to rest and work in. Rooms have a double or single bed, sofa, small flatscreen TV, air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, light-wood workdesk, wardrobe, hairdryer and full-length mirror, while a couple of abstract paintings and a crimson carpet add a hint of vibrancy. In my room there was a large double-glazed window, which could be opened for some fresh air and offered a pleasant view of the water. Wired internet access is available in the rooms for £5 per hour or £10 for 24 hours. (Wifi is available in the public areas for £5 per hour.) The small bathroom had a combined bath/shower with Dove shower gel and shampoo dispensers and white fittings. There is no room service available but you can order food from the restaurant between 6pm and 10pm and they will call you when it’s ready for collection. Alternatively, there is a Pizza Express just next door.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS The Innfusion restaurant on the ground floor serves a modest buffet breakfast with hot and cold options from 7am to 10am Monday to Friday (7-11am at the weekend). Dinner is served daily from 6-10pm – the menu includes dishes such as Thai fish cakes, and tomato and olive bruschetta to start, along with lamb shank, ricotta and spinach parcels, teriyaki salmon steak and burgers for the mains. Across the lobby is Inntro bar (open 11am-1.30am Monday to Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm-12.30am), while bar snacks such as lasagne, chips and panini are served from 11am to 10.30pm. The Il Barista coffee bar is also a pleasant place to stop for a quick frothy cappuccino.
MEETING AND BUSINESS FACILITIES There are ten meeting rooms on the first floor, some with natural daylight and beautiful views of Albert Dock and the surrounding area. All come with wifi and wired internet access, chilled mineral water and air conditioning. Three of the suites can be combined to create a conference space with a capacity of 100 theatre-style, and the hotel offers eight and 24-hour packages for delegates.
LEISURE FACILITIES None, but runners can take advantage of the many footpaths along the redeveloped waterfront.
VERDICT A great modern budget option without the wear and tear older properties may have. It’s located in an attractive waterfront area with lots of regeneration going on, making it a nice alternative to staying in the city centre and ideal for the Arena and Convention Centre.
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HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 310 Standard rooms.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS All rooms are outward-facing, and have views over the river and docks. The sofa is a nice touch and, although the rooms aren’t huge, they feel cosy and yet quite spacious.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in November started from £89 online for a Standard room.
CONTACT Jurys Inn Liverpool, 31 Keel Wharf; tel + 44 (0)151 244 3777; jurysinn.com.
Jenny Southan
