First impressions

Hope Street has a cathedral at each end and a buzz in the middle. It is surrounded by gorgeous late Georgian and Victorian houses, while the hotel resembles a Venetian palazzo.

Why it’s special

It’s woody. Wooden floors and furniture give a Nordic, organic feel of natural warmth.

Hitting the sack

Lots of natural light, exposed brickwork, under-floor heating, Egyptian cotton sheets, DVD and LCD screens and smart REN toiletries, but most glorious are the oversized beds. Of 48 rooms, seven are suites — top suites have fantastic views of the Mersey.

Added attractions

The Philharmonic Hall is opposite, the Everyman Theatre two minutes away.

Sampling the fare

Paul Askew, the chef, is a modest, genial genius destined for the heights of Michelin. The assiette of prawns, king scallop and turbot were to die for, as are Askew’s selection of cheeses with green tomato chutney or passion fruit crème brulée. Choice of more than 230 wines. Great value: £28 for three courses.

Sex appeal

Beds for three, tubs for four, chocolate fondue and finish off with a Cohiba.

Star attraction

The pop star Katie Melua, Hollyoaks actors, Liverpool and Everton players.

What we think

The hope is realised. One of the best new UK hotels. Jolly staff and excellent attention to detail.

Access all areas

Four rooms for wheelchair users.

Bottom line

Doubles from £115.

Need to know

Hope Street Hotel (0151-709 3000, www.hopestreethotel.co.uk), Liverpool. Vlm (0151-236 9696, www.flyvlm.com) has London-Liverpool returns from £40.

Let it B&B

Liverpool finally has its first Beatles-themed accommodation — but don’t expect five-star glitz. Epsteins, on Anfield Road in the Anfield area of Liverpool, was the family home of Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager, until he was 14 and it has been turned into a nine-room B&B with tangerine walls, peach sheets and pictures of the Beatles on the walls.

Epstein took the Beatles to the house, which is run by Ian Quigg and Darren McClennan, Fab Four enthusiasts, to pose for a photograph in front of the fireplace after they became famous.

The former homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, which have undergone National Trust restoration, are around the corner.

Epsteins (0151-281 8696, www.epsteinshotel.co.uk); rooms from £25pp.

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