Review: Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool

Posted on 11 August 2014
By Angela Johnson
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As the film A Hard Day’s Night celebrates its 50th year, the Beatles themed hotel of the same name feels like it’s been a fixture in the city of Liverpool for far longer than six years.

The Grade II listed Central Buildings were lovingly restored and the hotel’s location is a real plus point for visitors. At the heart of Liverpool’s ‘Beatles Quarter’ – literally next door to the first port of call for any Beatles fan, The Cavern – it is the ideal base from which to explore the city, whether it be with a Beatles focus or not.

When Hard Days Night launched as the only Beatles-inspired hotel in the world, many cynics held their breath expecting cringe-worthy decoration, Beatles music blasting from every corner coupled with gaudy in-your-face references to the Fab Four. Thankfully, in reality, the hotel is far from it. The four star Hard Days Night manages to pull off its veneration of the city’s ‘four local lads done good’ with elegance.

Outside, impressive mop-topped statues adorn the hotel’s façade so tourists can’t miss it, while locals can easily walk by without irritating distraction from their daily business. Inside, décor is tastefully done with an overriding reverence to the 60s as much as to John, Paul, George and Ringo. Yes, Beatles tunes are played in the spacious reception and lounge, plush Bar Four and adjacent Blake’s restaurant. However, the music’s filtered in at a pleasing volume, serving to add to the ambience rather than jar the senses.

Aside the quirky ‘We’re Bigger Than Jesus’ cocktail menu and inevitable photographs adorning the walls, the theme is executed with subtlety. So much so that some nods to The Beatles’ legacy could go unnoticed. The hotel logo, for instance, which at first struck me as a piece of mis-shapen lego, actually represents the guitar chord at the start of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. It also symbolises the lads’ positions on stage, with three circles at the front representing the heads of John, Paul and George, while Ringo’s at the rear on drums. It’s the sort of touch some may shrug ‘so what?’ at, but Beatles fans will appreciate the detail.

Checking into our deluxe room, it was nothing short of luxury. Spacious, chic, impeccably clean with a writing desk complete with funky orange leather chair. Not to mention the huge emperor bed – a delight to recline on! The only whiff of Beatles was a 5 foot tall portrait of George Harrison in his Sgt Peppers clobber. At first it’s a little unsettling, feeling George watch your every move from above the bed. We soon adjusted to our surroundings, however, with an en suite bathroom complete with monsoon shower and an interactive LCD TV with Internet, Music, Movies and selection of Sky Channels to keep you entertained between enjoying the city sights.

Breakfast was served in Blake’s restaurant, named after Sir Peter, the artist who created the ‘Sgt. Peppers’ album cover. Generous buffet style continental and English breakfasts were on offer, with plenty of attentive and friendly staff on hand. We opted for the delicious homemade muesli followed by a hearty portion of bacon, sausage, eggs, beans and black pudding as the perfect set up for a full day of Beatlemania!

We ‘day trippers’ chose to head out first thing to The Albert Dock to explore the award-winning Beatles Story museum. Next up was a mooch of Fab Four memorabilia in The Beatles shop on Mathew Street before soaking in the atmosphere of a live band playing at The Cavern at lunch time. After, we followed up our education in Beatles history with an exclusive National Trust tour of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes. Book ahead to avoid disappointment.

To find out more about The Hard Days Night, packages on offer and to book please visit: www.harddaysnighthotel.com or call 0151 236 1964.

5/5
The Grade II listed Central Buildings were lovingly restored and the hotel’s location is a real plus point for visitors. At the heart of Liverpool’s ‘Beatles Quarter’ – literally next door to the first port of call for any Beatles fan, The Cavern – it is the ideal base from which to explore the city, whether it be with a Beatles focus or not.

When Hard Days Night launched as the only Beatles-inspired hotel in the world, many cynics held their breath expecting cringe-worthy decoration, Beatles music blasting from every corner coupled with gaudy in-your-face references to the Fab Four. Thankfully, in reality, the hotel is far from it. The four star Hard Days Night manages to pull off its veneration of the city’s ‘four local lads done good’ with elegance.

Outside, impressive mop-topped statues adorn the hotel’s façade so tourists can’t miss it, while locals can easily walk by without irritating distraction from their daily business. Inside, décor is tastefully done with an overriding reverence to the 60s as much as to John, Paul, George and Ringo. Yes, Beatles tunes are played in the spacious reception and lounge, plush Bar Four and adjacent Blake’s restaurant. However, the music’s filtered in at a pleasing volume, serving to add to the ambience rather than jar the senses.

Aside the quirky ‘We’re Bigger Than Jesus’ cocktail menu and inevitable photographs adorning the walls, the theme is executed with subtlety. So much so that some nods to The Beatles’ legacy could go unnoticed. The hotel logo, for instance, which at first struck me as a piece of mis-shapen lego, actually represents the guitar chord at the start of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. It also symbolises the lads’ positions on stage, with three circles at the front representing the heads of John, Paul and George, while Ringo’s at the rear on drums. It’s the sort of touch some may shrug ‘so what?’ at, but Beatles fans will appreciate the detail.

Checking into our deluxe room, it was nothing short of luxury. Spacious, chic, impeccably clean with a writing desk complete with funky orange leather chair. Not to mention the huge emperor bed – a delight to recline on! The only whiff of Beatles was a 5 foot tall portrait of George Harrison in his Sgt Peppers clobber. At first it’s a little unsettling, feeling George watch your every move from above the bed. We soon adjusted to our surroundings, however, with an en suite bathroom complete with monsoon shower and an interactive LCD TV with Internet, Music, Movies and selection of Sky Channels to keep you entertained between enjoying the city sights.

Breakfast was served in Blake’s restaurant, named after Sir Peter, the artist who created the ‘Sgt. Peppers’ album cover. Generous buffet style continental and English breakfasts were on offer, with plenty of attentive and friendly staff on hand. We opted for the delicious homemade muesli followed by a hearty portion of bacon, sausage, eggs, beans and black pudding as the perfect set up for a full day of Beatlemania!

We ‘day trippers’ chose to head out first thing to The Albert Dock to explore the award-winning Beatles Story museum. Next up was a mooch of Fab Four memorabilia in The Beatles shop on Mathew Street before soaking in the atmosphere of a live band playing at The Cavern at lunch time. After, we followed up our education in Beatles history with an exclusive National Trust tour of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes. Book ahead to avoid disappointment.

To find out more about The Hard Days Night, packages on offer and to book please visit: www.harddaysnighthotel.com or call 0151 236 1964.

5/5

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