Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Liverpool: Charm & Character on a Shoestring
&
0151/702-6369
) offers doubles and
family rooms with views over the
Mersey or the dock itself for just £70
(or less with nonrefundable early book-
ing).
Premier Inn
(www.premierinn.
com;
&
0871/527-8622
), a similarly
sympathetic conversion, has roughly
the same rates on doubles and family
rooms.
Those visiting Liverpool on a budget
are in luck: Its Albert Dock redevelop-
ment, home to some outstanding cul-
tural venues, houses two budget hotels
that transcend the limits of their respec-
tive chains with guest rooms featuring
some of the original warehouses' cast
iron and red brick.
Express by Holiday
Inn
(
&
www.exliverpool.com;
Base2Stay
The second incarnation of a concept that has found great
favour in London (p. 191), this innovative budget-meets-boutique hotel in the
UNESCO-listed Ropewalks area offers visitors great value for money, as well as flex-
ibility and a funky vibe. (Note that, at certain times, some rooms would fall in our
“Expensive” category.) Opened in 2010 in a converted 1850s' engineering works, it
offers in-room minikitchens instead of a restaurant or bar, the freedom to order in
meals from local providers (some at a discount), and free coffee. The decor is muted,
modern, and quite chic, but original architectural features in many rooms, including
the original roof timbers, believed to have come from 18-century ships, bring dashes
of character. Rooms include duplex Gallery Studios and the unique Secret Garden
Suite with its own courtyard to sit out in. The latter, sleeping five, is the best option
for families, although many rooms can sleep three or four, or some rooms can inter-
connect. The singles are very comfortable for solo travelers.
29 Seel St., Liverpool L1 4AU. www.base2stayliverpool.com.
&
0151/705-2626.
106 units. £59-£155
double; £129-£225 suite. MC, V.
Amenities:
Lounge with free coffee machine; breakfast-box service
(extra charge).
In room:
TV with free Internet, games, kitchenette, Wi-Fi (free).
Carleton House
This charming, lovingly run little B&B within a handsome
Victorian property a short walk east of Southport's Promenade offers singles, doubles/
twins, and family rooms stylishly decorated in creams and beiges, with flat-screen
TVs. There's also a self-catering apartment in the garden. Breakfasts (including full
English if desired) are excellent—the extremely friendly owners have a farming back-
ground and are passionate about local produce.
17 Alexandra Rd., Southport PR9 0NB. www.thecarletonhouse.co.uk.
&
01704/538035.
12 units.
£75-£95 double. Rates include English breakfast. MC, V.
Amenities:
Lounge.
In room:
TV, hair dryer,
Wi-Fi (free).
15
LANCASHIRE
Blackpool: 246 miles NW of London; 51 miles NW of Manchester; 56 miles N of Liverpool; 88 miles W
of Leeds
Often overlooked in favor of the more spectacular Lake District, Lancashire is best
known as home to Britain's most-visited tourist attraction,
Blackpool's
Pleasure
Beach. But while kitsch Blackpool, like Las Vegas, which it resembles in some
respects, is an acquired taste, there are large swaths of this county with glorious wild
landscapes perfect for lovers of the great outdoors, especially the scorchingly beautiful
