By Lorelle Williams
In the early 19th century Liverpool was a super-port; a gateway for mass migration and a hive of global cargo with almost half of the world’s trade passing through. The docks’ warehouses – which still encircle the docks today – played an integral part in the city’s role as a global trader, storing masses of rum, tobacco, cotton and sugar year round. Fast forward to the 21st century and those same warehouses now house art galleries, restaurants and bars, whilst luxury cruises pass through the River Mersey that they overlook. Almost all of the warehouses have had fresh air breathed into them but none more so than the former rum and tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock which has been lovingly restored into a momentous hotel, the Titanic.
Staff at the Titanic are relaxed and friendly, a trait that is characteristic of Liverpool itself, and if character is what you are after the Titanic has it in bucket loads. With airy atriums, high soaring brick ceilings and long stretched corridors lit almost only by natural light pouring in from the floor to ceiling windows, the hotel has a fresh and distinctive aesthetic whilst managing to keep tight hold of its maritime history. Located no more than two miles from the bustling city centre and the famous Albert Dock, the brick building truly compliments its surroundings. For those who are lucky enough to get a pier-facing room or a window seat at the hotel’s restaurant and bar, there is a stunning backdrop of the building opposite – an abandoned 14 storey tobacco warehouse which, when built, was the biggest brick building in the world. Canvases of labourers and hand-drawn floor maps of the Titanic hang from the hotel’s brick walls and a mini model of the ship itself is on display at the lobby.
The 153 rooms at the Titanic are all about space; even the smallest of rooms covers an immense 56sqm. This allows for a comfortably sized living area in each room with large sofas and a flat screen TV, surrounded by exposed brick walls and original vaulted ceilings. The double king sized beds are dressed in Egyptian cotton with natural fibre pillows, and each bedroom has the building’s original windows allowing for vast views over Liverpool’s port.
The hotel’s restaurant, Stanley’s Bar & Grill, has a lively atmosphere and welcomes diners who are both hotel and non-hotel guests. The restaurant’s speciality is of course steak, but non-meat eaters aren’t forgotten about; there’s a full vegan and vegetarian menu to cater to the growing trend in guests requesting dietary specific dishes. As for breakfast, whether you opt for a full English or a continental style breakfast it can be delivered to the room or served buffet-style in the restaurant.
Without a doubt the hotel’s secret weapon is its spa, Maya Blue Wellness. Hidden in the underground of Stanley Dock this subterranean sanctuary resembles an underwater cave, nestled under historic red-brick arches. The spa’s hydrotherapy area, made up of a sauna, steam room, luxury foot bath and hydrotherapy pool, is open to both hotel guests and members of the public but there is a limit on the number of guests permitted entry at any given time to preserve the ambiance.
The majority of treatments on offer at Maya Blue Wellness use products by VOYA, an innovative Irish brand whose products are based on handpicked wild, organic Irish seaweed and blended with pure organic ingredients and essential oils. I opted for the 90 minute Deluxe Facial Experience by VOYA. This started with a full dry body brush to improve circulation followed by a relaxing 20 minute back massage. The facial itself aims to deeply hydrate and plump the skin using VOYA’s re-mineralizing Mermaid’s Purse face-mask with Laminaria seaweed leaves on top. While the mask was left to penetrate my skin I was given lymphatic drainage massage focussing of my neck, shoulders and décolleté and a conditioning hair treatment was massaged into my scalp.
I could not fault the staff during my visit to the spa. Upon arrival I was given a tour of the facilities on offer, the therapist talked me through each step of the facial beforehand and, after it, I was given the seaweed leaves to take home for further use.
In a city steeped in maritime history, the Titanic’s own impressive history swirls through the building making it an attraction in itself. For private stays, meetings and conferences or events, visit titanichotelliverpool.com to make a booking.
Information:
Titanic Hotel Liverpool:
titanichotelliverpool.com
Stanley Dock, Regent Road, Liverpool, L3 0AN
Tel: +44 (0)151 559 1444
Maya Blue Wellness Spa at Titanic Hotel, Liverpool:
mayabluewellness.com
Tel: +44 (0)151 482 5767
Email: clare@mayabluewellness.com
