Our two night stay worked out really well. The one way system around Lime Street is a bit frustrating if you come into Liverpool from the North, (or with my bloody SatNav!), but I eventually got into the car park after driving around the block a few times. The taxi driver who took us to the hotel the next night showed me how it's done effectively by ignoring all the no u-turn signs in sight. Anyway, once you are in the car park you are OK, but you will need to walk down a flight of stairs if you arrive after the adjoining St. John's shopping centre is closed. On arrival the receptionist was very casual and seemed to assume that as I was a Priority Club member, I must have visited the hotel before so didn't need any advice or directions. I'm sure a regular visitor would welcome this approach, but I was a little taken aback by this at first. We arrived tired after a long drive at about 9.30 on a Monday night and decided to eat at the hotel rather than wandering around Liverpool trying to find somewhere nice to eat. It turned out to be a good decision as food in the restaurant was very good, (excellent steak), with a fab view of George Square. The relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant and the bar were just what the docter ordered to the tired traveller. The room service prices seemed quite reasonable too. The room had good facilities, iron and ironing board etc. and was really clean. I did have to ask reception for extra pillows, but these were delivered in minutes. Special thanks to the room attendant who let me back into the room the following morning after I'd left the key card in the room, and excused my 'French' when the door closed on me. Breakfast was excellent, and I appreciated the way the staff made sure everyone got a window seat to enjoy the view of the square and the people arriving from Lime Street Station, (ideal for people watchers). Liverpool is a great city and this hotel is the ideal base to explore the city.

The Holiday Inn Liverpool is bang opposite Lime Street Station. The area is very run down and we didn't feel too safe to venture out as it was full of drunks and police cars and vans drove up and down endlessly, sirens blaring well into the night. The room really stank but this cleared when the air con was on. As it's 'keycard' activated we were greeted by a smelly room each time we went in. We were met with a 'you must be joking' attitude when we asked to change rooms. The hotel is fine though even if a little soulless. I would love to meet the person who decorated the restaurant - it's really weird and looks like an overgrown birdcage made from wooden slats - not nice at all and amazingly stark. Parking is good next door and only ?5 for the night. Food was really good and reasonably priced. I prefer the Marriott down by the river by far.

We stayed in this hotel many years ago when it was the St John's Hotel. Back in those days the hotel entrance was on an upper level, on the way in to the car park. These days drivers have to drop passengers off, then drive up to the car park and walk back to the hotel, a not particularly pleasant experience, past the old entrance (now appears to be the staff car park) then down a long flight of stairs to the entrance level. So... not particularly wheelchair friendly, at least when the St John's centre is closed. Reception is clean and reasonably efficient, and that kind of sums the hotel up. The bar, overlooking Lime Street Station, was much the same, clean but uninspiring, the restaurant the same. And the roooms? Well you get the drift. We didn't get an upgrade despite having platinum Priority Club status, and the hotel certainly didn't appear to be full; the restaurant and bar was almost deserted. On a positive note, the hotel's 2nd floor (bar, restaurant and meeting rooms) offers free WiFi for residents, welcome to the 21st century guys!

I've just had one night at this hotel on business with some leisure time built in. I'd say it's really good for both in this revitalised city which in itself was really impressive (it's 20 years since I was last there and couldn't believe the changes). The conference centre is purpose built and well thought out. The location if you're travelling by train is excellent, right across from Lime Street. It's a couple of minutes walk to the shops and 15 minutes stroll to the docks. The rooms are clean and comfortable and spacious enough. The TV was a really big flat screen. Toiletries are not automatically provided just the squeezy bottles but you can get anything you need from reception. We had lunch and breakfast there and all the food was good. The breakfast was particularly good with an excellent range. The main downside was the air conditioning units outside which were really noisy. You could barely hear them through the windows but it was a hot night and I would have preferred to have the window open. I was in 306 which faced the station. Next time I would ask for a room on the other side or higher up.

I stayed at this hotel for one night at the end of April whilst on business. As others have said the location is excellent (as is the Marriott) when you come out of the mainline station. I had requested a higher floor & was allocated a room on the 6th floor which was appreciated. The room itself was very clean & had a very comfy bed. The view at night was super. I had dinner in the hotel sitting in the bar area & it was good. Breakfast was very varied & plentiful & I enjoyed the view overlooking the street as it's on the 1st or 2nd floor, can't remember now. I would point out that there is building work going on nearby & I could hear this but it stopped before 7pm & resumed at 8am approx so be aware if you wanted a long lie-in.