Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre (Albert Dock) Hotel

Popular with business travelers and tourists alike, this Premier Inn is housed in a converted 19th-century brick warehouse overlooking bustling Albert Dock. Vaulted ceilings and walls of original brickwork plus iron support columns reveal the building’s origins and contribute to its quaint atmosphere, making it distinct from other outposts of this chain. The large lobby offers seating areas adjacent to the reception desk with comfy sofas and armchairs, lavender-colored carpeting, and wooden coffee tables. The restaurant and bar has an exposed brick ceiling and walls and windows displaying lovely views of the Mersey River and docks. Casual but with an upscale feel, it’s a cozy place with several separate areas including leather benches along the walls, nice wood tables, wooden upholstered chairs, and a small curved bar. 

The Premier Inn is located on a busy street, directly on Albert Dock, in a lively area full of attractions and restaurants. The Beatles Story and Merseyside Maritime Museum are on the other side of the dock, about a five-minute walk away, while the Tate Museum is about a four-minute walk. The Echo Arena Liverpool and BT Convention Centre are both about eight minutes away on foot, and it's about a 10-minute walk to the Liverpool One shopping center and the James Street Metro Station. The Liverpool Cathedral and University of Liverpool are about 20 minutes by metro or about 10 minutes by car, and the Liverpool John Lennon Airport takes around half an hour to reach by car, taxi, or metro.

Rooms feature the Premier Inn chain's signature purple-colored carpets, bed runners, padded headboards, and drapes contrasted by white walls and light-wood furniture. Guests give the branded Hypnos beds high marks for comfort. Some rooms have vaulted ceilings with the original brickwork also found in the hotel’s public spaces, which give them a more upscale, rustic-chic feel. Rooms are clean and generally spacious by U.K. standards and come in a variety of configurations -- groups should opt for Family Rooms, which have a king and two sofa beds. All rooms have desks, small flat-screen TVs, and electric kettles. Compared to the rooms, bathrooms feel snug, but they are nicely decorated and cleverly configured, with white tile shower/tub combos and curved vanities with large, well-lit mirrors. Many rooms offer lovely views of the waterfront and historic buildings, while others offer street views. However, some guests report noise from surrounding nightclubs and the busy street below.

The casual, on-site Thyme restaurant has lovely waterfront views and serves breakfast (not included in rates) and dinner. There's also a children’s menu and a bar with daily happy hour specials. Other amenities include meeting space for up to 55 people, and the hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel doesn't have on-site parking, but there's a lot directly across the street (for a fee); there's also a less expensive option a five-minute walk down the street, and hotel guests get a special discount.