GUIDE TO HOSTELS IN LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool, recent recipient of a European Culture award, has numerous free museums, art galleries and theatres. It is famed for all things Beatles and for two top football teams, and hosts a free music festival. Its architecture is bold and impressive, so it is a good city to wander around. The docks have been renovated and have much of interest. It is not scenic, except for the fine view across the river if you take the Ferry 'cross the Mersey.
If you are entering or leaving Britain from either Liverpool airport (host to flights by Easyjet and Ryanair) or Manchester airport (numerous transatlantic flights), Liverpool is a good place to spend the night. Frequent buses run from Liverpool Airport, and there are hourly trains direct from Manchester airport.
Liverpool has several advantages over other cities: The city centre is compact and you can walk there from all the hostels; Meals and drinks are cheap; there are many pubs and they stay open till 0200. It's well worth at least one night, and if you have a special interest you could readily spend several days here. But don't bother with the suburbs, they are grim.
Hostels
There are five hostels, all good in different ways, within walking distance of the City centre. Close by the docks is the sparkling purpose-built and expensive YHA hostel. The Embassie, in a quiet square about 1km south of the Centre, is un-sparkling and far from purpose-built, but friendly and lower-priced. The Nightingale Lodge is also on the south side of the City Centre, among pleasant Georgian buidings in wide streets. The International Inn, next to the University and a little more central, is priced in between. The YHA price includes breakfast, while the others offer free tea, coffee and toast. The newly-opened Hatters is an efficient modern hostel but appears to be a bit disappointing with regard to meeting people:
Address: 4 South Hunter Street
Tel: 0151-709-8135
Email: info + AT + internationalinn.co.uk
Facilities: Prices vary. Fully equipped kitchen & good eating area, TV lounge w videos & pool table, spacious dorms with ensuite bathrooms, free tea/coffee & toast, internet £2/hr, laundry, bike storage, cafe adjacent, groups housed in separate area, friendly staff.
UK Trail opinions: A pretty good hostel, the large kitchen/dining room is sociable but it has no windows and is rather stuffy.
Reviewers' comments: Generally regarded as friendly, staff very helpful. some like the common room, some say could be cleaner.
Address: 25 Tabley St, off Wapping
Tel: 0870-770-5924
Email: liverpool + AT + yha.org.uk
Facilities: Price varies. Good kitchen, dining room, games room, lounge with TV in reception area, spacious dorms with ensuite bathroom, very good breakfast, friendly staff.
UK Trail opinions: Feels like a good budget motel, and no more sociable. The kitchen is good but not many people use it, and the reception lounge (with TV always on) does not encourage you to hang out and chat, so people go to their ensuite dorms with self-locking doors. Breakfast room has small tables so meeting people takes an effort..
Reviewers' comments: General view: OK or very nice. Good location, friendly staff. Everyone liked the breakfast..
Address: 1 Falkner Square
Tel: 0151-7071089
Facilities: Free tea/coffee & toast. Reception room w TV, TV lounge, basement games room/bar w TV, equipped kitchen, laundry and drying facilities, luggage storage, free map.
UK Trail opinions: A casual feel, with old but serviceable furnishings in a fine old house in a quiet square. 3 common areas all with large TVs, however many people find it very sociable. The basement kitchen felt rather gloomy.
Reviewers' comments: Mixed reviews. Many have found it very friendly, if a bit hippie and casual. Several complained about noise during the night. Many find it very sociable, guests and owners all get along well. Some thought it was dirty..
Address: 1 Princes Rd
Facilities: Kitchen, dining area, lounge w TV, garden w BBQ, WIFI, laundry. Car park..
UK Trail opinions: Close to City Centre on S side among pleasant Georgian buildings.
Reviewers' comments: Most reviewers liked it, with a few minor criticisms. Staff very friendly and went out of their way to help. A bit far from the city centre..
Address: 56-60 Mount Pleasant
Facilities: Equipped kitchen, internet.
Reviewers' comments: Most thought it was very good. Several complained of noise at night from floor above and outside room (thin walls). One says: Small common room, always empty. But another said easy to meet people. Many say rooms are cold. One reported fire alarm went off at 05h. One said: Depressing dining hall & common rooms..
