Hope Street, a hotel so discreet that you’re able to walk straight by it three times without even noticing that it’s there. Had it not been raining, had my bags not been incredibly heavy, had I not been running late for another appointment, I may have laughed at the ridiculous lack of signage. But, as it was, my mood was rapidly souring when I finally found the hotel. Soggy of body, fuzzy of head and oh-so-nearly-grumpy of temper I stomped into a beautiful, warm and welcoming reception area, galled to find absolutely nothing to criticise.

It’s very hard to remain disgruntled when confronted with pleasantness; booked in promptly by a cheery receptionist and escorted to a two-tiered room larger than most of the houses I’ve lived in I magnanimously found it within me to forgive the proprietors for their lack of self-affirming signage and set out to explore my room with not a little glee.

Heated wooden flooring, king-sized bed covered with beautiful Egyptian cotton throws, massive walled-mounted LCD wide screen TV, DVD and CD player (Bang & Olufsen), then stairs leading up to a leather-suited lounge and office area (complete with unmetred broadband access), finished with a floor-to-ceiling picture window looking out over the streets of Liverpool. So far, so very very good. The impression of luxury is enhanced yet further by a bathroom comprising a walk-in shower with a rain-dance dinner-plate-sized head, separate bath under a sloping sky-lighted wooden ceiling, double-basined sink and a selection of complementary cosmetics. The overall effect is stunning.

Cosmetically smoothed and emotionally soothed by plush surrounds, my opinion of Hope Street Hotel had improved significantly.

Built in 1860 in the Venetian style, the hotel is based in the city’s cultural quarter, slap bang between the charming grand old cathedral and its shiny new modern (ugly) counterpart, with a good variety of theatres and restaurants in the immediate vicinity and the Liverpool Concert Hall just across the road. The city’s shops are just a 10 minute walk away and the famous docks 15 minutes.

For those of you less inclined to venture out into the wind and wet of a typical English evening, Hope Street Hotel offers 24 hour room service, access to a good CD and DVD library, a very comfortable bar; The Residents Lounge and two restaurants; The Brasserie and the London Carriage Works, created by decorated chef Paul Askew. 

If you’re more disposed to venture further afield for your evening meal, the one dining experience you must not miss out on at Hope Street Hotel is breakfast. I was a little late going down for mine, but rather than being dealt with like a naughty little child, the staff greeted me with smiles and jokes, seated me by the window with a coffee, a menu and a newspaper whilst they cleared the table of my choice and then served me the most delectable breakfast I have eaten for years – a selection of beautifully ripe berries, toast and a bakers basket so full of pastries that I was almost tempted to make myself a doggy-bag. A full cooked breakfast and the usual selection of cereals are also available.

The beginning of my stay at the Hope Street Hotel did not see me in the best of moods and my mood, once set, is not easily lifted. However, presented with a hotel offering superb service, grace and style even the curmudgeonliest of my acquaintance would struggle to remain unmollified.

The Hope Street Hotel offers everything that a boutique hotel should have and more. With 48 individually designed rooms and a flawless attention to detail the only criticism my inner fuzzy-headed demon can manage to muster is that although discretion may be the better part of valor, it certainly isn’t the best way of welcoming weary guests. Other than that? In 2004 Conde Nast named Hope Street Hotel among the World’s 50 Coolest Hotels. In 2006 I wouldn’t disagree.

A stay at the Hope Street Hotel will range in price from £140 to £350 per night.

For more information visit www.hopestreethotel.co.uk