Growing up as huge Beatles fans, we always thought Liverpool was just a working-class port town that everybody couldn’t wait to leave. So when we headed there in the summer of 2008, we weren’t expecting too much.

There was a Gustav Klimt show at the Tate Liverpool that we wanted to see. And we were surprised that there was a Tate in Liverpool at all. But there were lots of things about Liverpool that surprised us — pleasantly. It was all dolled up for the European Capital of Culture festivities. It shared the title that year with Stavanger, Norway. But all in all, it was one of the most appealing places we visited that summer.

Liverpool has a lot to offer for art lovers, Beatles fans — who can visit the Cavern Club and the Beatles Story — and anyone interested in Maritime history. In fact, the Liverpool waterfront is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also has great shopping in the new Liverpool One Complex.

Hotels in Liverpool.

The Hilton Liverpool is about a two-minute walk from the Albert Docks. One advantage it has over the Atlantic Tower is the 24-hour fitness center. Guests also have access to the Merseyside Watersports Centre where you can canoe, sail, or windsurf. The 215 rooms have terrific beds, minibars, and marble baths with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, many with views of the docks, the river, or the Liver Building. And there’s a restaurant, a bar, and 24-hour room service. The Hilton is one of the most polished hotels in Liverpool.

Located next to the Liver Building and close to the Albert Docks, the Atlantic Tower recently underwent a multimillion dollar renovation. The 225 spacious rooms now include flat-screen LCD TVs, wireless Internet access, and work areas. Many of the room have nice views of the River Mersey, as does the Vista Bar and Restaurant. You can also enjoy a cocktail outside at the Vue Lounge. It’s a member of the Thistle group. If you’re looking for a modern, business hotel in Liverpool, the Atlantic Tower is a good choice.

Beatles fans will enjoy the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, which is next to the famed Cavern Club. It’s in a Grade II listed building that dates from 1884. Portraits of the Fab Four, as well as artwork by Paul and Ringo, decorate the rooms and public areas. There’s a Yellow Submarine juke box in the lobby. And sheet music hangs from the ceilings. The 110 rooms have up-to-the-minute amenities like interactive LCD TVs and free WiFi. Deluxe rooms have balconies with views of the Liverpool skyline. Blake’s Restaurant and Bar Four are pleasant spots for a meal or a drink.

About a five-minute walk from town, Hope Street Hotel is a stylish, boutique hotel built in a converted carriage house. The location on a hilltop overlooking the city is convenient for symphony- and theatre-goers. In fact, it’s across the street from the Liverpool Philharmonic. Much of the buildings original charm has been retained. Old oak floors, open beams, used brick, and ironwork set the tone in the public areas. The rooms have custom-made furniture, wall-mounted wide-screen LCD TVs, plush beds with Egyptian cotton linens, and bathrooms with oversized showerheads. The Hope Street expanded into the building next door in 2009 and now has 89 rooms. The lounge is one of the most attractive places in Liverpool for a drink or small plates designed to be shared. And the London Carriage Works restaurant is truly first rate.

1) Hilton Liverpool
2) Atlantic Tower Hotel
3) Hard Days Night Hotel
4) Hope Street Hotel
5) Liver Building

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Read more Great Britain travel planning ideas here.

The Liver Building image Flickr: fast eddie 42
Albert Docks image Flickr: firmatography