Brownlows Inn

The best thing about the stay was the location: it’s very central, within walking distance of the train station, bus stops, and town centre. Staff were friendly, and they let me leave my luggage when I arrived before check-in. Room 22 was clean, though basic and a bit worn, and the bed was really comfortable. The shower took a while to heat up, but once it did, it stayed hot. There were a few drawbacks in the room. It stayed very warm even with the window open, and the blinds were broken so I couldn’t open them. There’s no lift, which could make access difficult, and a full-length mirror somewhere in the hotel would be handy. Noise was the bigger issue: the karaoke bar downstairs was extremely loud across the first floor from 3pm to 10pm. That didn’t affect my sleep, but could be a problem if you want an afternoon nap or an early night. I could also hear reception clearly, including phones and people checking in. It woke me on both mornings, so a door between reception and the first-floor rooms would help. It was fine for me since I barely spent time in the room. If you’re coming to Liverpool, you shouldn’t spend much time indoors anyway. It’s the best city in the world.

Check-in and checkout were easy, no fuss. The rooms are pretty basic, but I was glad mine was clean. There’s no ventilation in the bedroom or bathroom, so it got steamy, and I would’ve liked to open the window for some fresh air during the day. The karaoke bar downstairs is very loud, though it doesn’t go all night. I slept fine with earplugs. It’s not great, but it’s the city, so there’s a lot of noise around anyway.

The location makes it easy to get to shops, bars, restaurants, and the nearby docks. I arrived very late, and the receptionist was exceptionally kind and helpful, especially after I realised I’d booked the wrong year. The reception team saved the day. The rooms are basic but perfectly fine for a couple of nights, and the original price was very reasonable.

It’s very basic, but clean, and you get what you pay for. The women working during the day were VERY helpful; the man in the evening, not so much. If you’re in a first-floor room on the same level as reception, expect loud music and karaoke that can sound like it’s right in your room. Room 22 was noisy and had a rattling window, while our room upstairs was quiet. I moved my friend for her second night and she slept much better. There was only one pillow, so ask for more if you like having extras.