Elm Vale Lodge

The room was dirty, with rubbish wedged between the bed and wall and stained curtains. The sink barely drained, and the shower head was broken and stuck on scalding hot. Check-in and parking were both a joke.

Just to be clear, despite the name, this isn't a lodge. It's self-catering accommodation. I booked because I needed reception to accept an envelope for me, but there was nobody on site.

The neighborhood was a real highlight, pretty and residential, and the location near Anfield was convenient for the price. That said, getting into the room was a hassle because the check-in details didn't come through at first. I had to ask several times before I finally received them. I found the room disappointing. The bed was poor quality, sloped, and so uncomfortable that sleeping well was difficult. Some maintenance details were visibly neglected, including loose plaster, and the windows wouldn't open, leaving the room stuffy. It felt like the place was set up more as an investment than for guest comfort. As a budget base it might work, but I wouldn't recommend it for a couple's stay, and personally I'm reluctant to recommend it at all. Two stars out of five for the price and location.