Britannia Pavillion, Albert Dock, Liverpool, United Kingdom | (888) 616-5829
Excellent Albert
Docks location within walking distance of the city center
Housed in a 19th-century warehouse with period features
Flat-screen TVs
with pay movies in the basic rooms
All rooms have
dock or river views
Buffet breakfast
included in the rate
Free Wi-Fi
throughout (though charged for faster speed)
Chain-like decor feels odd with the building's history
No air-conditioning in rooms
Can be noisy on weekends
No fitness center
This 135-room Holiday Inn
Express is a mid-range, chain hotel with two notable stand-out features: its 19th
century warehouse setting and Albert Docks location. Although many of the
original period elements have been retained, the chain-style makeover of the
interiors fall short of the building's potential. Rooms, however, are well-equipped
and comfortable, all affording impressive waterway views. Overall, rates are
good for what you get, though it's worth comparing prices to the nearby Premier Inn which might offer
slightly better value.
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Scene
Basic chain hotel in a 19th-century warehouse
This Holiday Inn
Express is housed in an imposing, late 19th-century red brick warehouse that
was once part of Albert Dock's thriving shipping and trade industry. Being part
of Liverpool dock's UNESCO heritage designation, the building is Grade I Listed
and so retains much of its original character and architecture elements. While
the facade is beautifully preserved, retaining even the original iron crane
braces, the entrance is a cavernous, cobblestone floor space with little
beyond tourist pamphlets and a few sepia-tinted photos. While keeping its
exposed brick walls and curved ceilings, the second-floor lobby decor is
full-on Holiday Inn chain style and disappointingly ill-matched to the
property's period heritage. Hallways are also relatively characterless, with
only the occasion nod to the original structure and not quite doing justice to
the building. That said, interiors are clean, modern, and functional with
superb views over the water, and they're certainly still more interesting than your
average mid-range chain experience.
Location
Prime setting on Liverpool's Albert Dock opposite the Echo Arena
The hotel
occupies a prime position right on Liverpool's Albert Dock on the River Mersey, and opposite the Echo Arena. There's plenty within walking distance, with Tate
Liverpool art gallery and the interactive Beatles Story exhibition in the dock
area, while the Cavern Club where the Beatles first played is 15 minutes away on
foot. While the area is generally quite quiet at night -- at least during the
week -- there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area. James Street
train station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel while John Lennon Airport is
eight miles or 20 minutes away by car.
Rooms
All rooms have original warehouse windows overlooking water
The 135 rooms
continue the interior styling of the lobby, with lots of exposed brick, exposed
iron struts, and the original curved warehouse windows, coupled with standard
homogenized decor and furnishings typical of the chain. A big
plus is that all rooms have views over the docks or the river, though despite
double glazing, street noise can be an issue. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs with pay-per-view movies --
though no air-conditioning might be a problem in hot weather. Bathrooms are small but
clean and modern with walk-in showers, hairdryers, and basic toiletries.
Features
Buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi both free of charge
The hotel has a
large dining area serving a buffet breakfast, which is always included in the
room rate; it's basic but pretty decent. The is also a bar in the Great
Room which is open all day and offers armchairs and a large TV. Wi-Fi is free
of charge throughout the property (higher speed is available for a fee) and
there is a staffed business center with computer terminals. There is also meeting space available.
