Hotels in Liverpool

[Paul D]

It's been a Hard Days sight

TODAY the ECHO takes you on a magical mystery tour of the stunning interior planned for Liverpool's most unique hotel.

The 110-bedroom Hard Day's Night hotel is the ultimate homage to the Fab Four and their music.

The team behind the £17m four-star venue says it will belie its name when it opens its doors in 12 months' time.

On the eve of the Mathew Street festival, they have revealed some of the impressive images which will adorn each bedroom in the six-storey hotel, together with the reception and public areas.

The concept of the Beatles-themed hotel has been developed with the help of the team behind the Cavern, including Bill Heckle of Cavern City Tours.


It is being created within a grade IIlisted building dating back to 1884, using local construction workers. The hotel promises it will not be overloaded with kitsch Beatle memorabilia.


Starting at the lowest level, the plans link the basement of the North John Street site, via a tunnel, right into the Cavern Club.

Each floor is dedicated to a phase in the Beatles' lives, chronologically from their births to their solo careers and the untimely deaths of John and George.

Every room will tell a different part of the Beatles story.

Each will be uniquely decorated with paintings created by Hollywood's favourite airbrush artiste, Shannon, who could end up in the Guinness Book of Records for the number of canvasses she will have completed by the time the hotel opens.

The works are created at home in America, scanned, and the originals flown over to Liverpool.

Some can take three days to complete, but a 6ft painting of John Lennon with a macaw on his shoulder - entitled And Your Bird Can Sing - took the artist six weeks.


She said: "Every room will have a picture which will try and tell the theme of that room. Every painting has to tell the story, and there are hidden messages in them.


"I tend to have 10 canvasses on the go at one time and I do it one colour at atime.You don't enjoy it as much as if you're watching each one growing, but it's the only way to complete it in such a short time.


"It's not just the art work itself, it's a lot to do with knowing exactly what was going on in the Beatles' lives at the time.


"It's nine or 10 years since I first chatted to Bill Heckle about the hotel. Now everybody is very excited about it. It just seems to be the right time."

The images will be turned into post cards which hotel guests will be able to buy - an idea Mr Heckle picked up from a themed hotel in California - and could also be compiled in a book.


The Hard Day's Night hotel will have two suites, with the John and Yoko suite on the fourth floor coming complete with a white grand piano.


Each floor will be linked by a New York-style cage lift, with a glass wall revealing the story of The Beatles in images around the grand, granitepillared sandstone stairwell.

One in 10 of the rooms will be fully accessible for disabled visitors.

Guests will enter the hotel through a marble entrance hall and past full-size statues of John, Paul, George and Ringo in the niches on the outside.

John's, on the corner of Mathew Street, will face in the direction of New York.

It will have two restaurants,a cock-tail bar, lounge, souvenir shop, gallery and three rooms for private entertaining or conferences.

There will be a Yellow Submarine-shaped jukebox, one of only a small number in existence.


The hotel will also be licensed for weddings.


Jonathan Davies, director of developer Bowdena, said: "Nothing else exists like this in the world and the fact it's in Liverpool, which was where The Beatles started, makes it even more special.


"The website is currently under construction and we have a holding page with an information request form on it.


"At present we're receiving high volumes of requests from around the world. Not only is this good for the hotel but also for Liverpool.


"When people walk into the hotel they'll get a unique experience.


"I recently heard someone say The Beatles were no ordinary group and this hotel won't be an ordinary hotel."

[JUXTAPOL]

This is what the Old Hope St Police station looks like currently.


Compared to what it's going to look like, a vast improvement.

[Paul D]

Beatles fans clamour to be first guests at hotel

THOUSANDS of Beatles from across the world, desperate to be among the first guests at Liverpool's Hard Day's night hotel, have inundated its website with reservation requests.

They include one man in Norway who is willing to charter a plane to bring over a party of 50 Fab Four devotees.
The £17m Beatles-themed boutique hotel, partly funded with European Objective One funding, will offer 110 luxury rooms, each one telling a different part of the story of the band, and will open in autumn next year.

Yesterday it was revealed that enquiries from fans wanting to make reservations at the hotel on the newly launched website, www. harddaysnighthotel.com, had quadrupled during the Mathew Street Festival, with more than 5,000 extra hits recorded in the last few days.

Many of those logging on have attempted to make reservations only to discover the online booking service won't be available until the spring.


Thousands of fans have emailed asking to be put on a waiting list to be among the first guests staying at the hotel, on the corner of Mathew Street and North John Street.


A number of enquiries have also been received from people wanting to work at the four-star establishment, although the recruitment drive won't be in full swing until early next year.

Jonathan Davies, director of Bowdena, the developer behind the project, said: "During the Mathew Street Festival, I was interviewed by journalists from as far a field as Israel and the Netherlands about the exciting plans for the Hard Day's Night Hotel.
"It has been interesting to read the emails coming in via the website.

"Most are from people wanting to be first to stay at the hotel, others are from fans eager to become a part of our team and some are from well wishers offering their support.

"We've even had an enquiry from a guy in Norway who wants to charter a plane for 50 guests to stay at the hotel when it opens next year.

"It's been an overwhelming response."

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk

[kung_fuzi]

Originally Posted by Paul D

Beatles fans clamour to be first guests at hotel

THOUSANDS of Beatles from across the world, desperate to be among the first guests at Liverpool's Hard Day's night hotel, have inundated its website with reservation requests.

They include one man in Norway who is willing to charter a plane to bring over a party of 50 Fab Four devotees.
The £17m Beatles-themed boutique hotel, partly funded with European Objective One funding, will offer 110 luxury rooms, each one telling a different part of the story of the band, and will open in autumn next year.

Yesterday it was revealed that enquiries from fans wanting to make reservations at the hotel on the newly launched website, www. harddaysnighthotel.com, had quadrupled during the Mathew Street Festival, with more than 5,000 extra hits recorded in the last few days.

Many of those logging on have attempted to make reservations only to discover the online booking service won't be available until the spring.


Thousands of fans have emailed asking to be put on a waiting list to be among the first guests staying at the hotel, on the corner of Mathew Street and North John Street.


A number of enquiries have also been received from people wanting to work at the four-star establishment, although the recruitment drive won't be in full swing until early next year.

Jonathan Davies, director of Bowdena, the developer behind the project, said: "During the Mathew Street Festival, I was interviewed by journalists from as far a field as Israel and the Netherlands about the exciting plans for the Hard Day's Night Hotel.
"It has been interesting to read the emails coming in via the website.

"Most are from people wanting to be first to stay at the hotel, others are from fans eager to become a part of our team and some are from well wishers offering their support.

"We've even had an enquiry from a guy in Norway who wants to charter a plane for 50 guests to stay at the hotel when it opens next year.

"It's been an overwhelming response."

tonymcdonough@dailypost.co.uk

And some people suggest that Liverpool relies too much on the memory of the Beatles and that we should move on..LUNATICS.

[T0M]

Originally Posted by JUXTAPOL

This is what the Old Hope St Police station looks like currently.


Compared to what it's going to look like, a vast improvement.

Great pic Juxt, this shows what a needed and excellent development this will be - I can't believe the residents are moaning about getting this amazing addition to their already amazing street - I'd be screaming to get rid of that old police hut!

[Trommel]

Originally Posted by kung_fuzi

And some people suggest that Liverpool relies too much on the memory of the Beatles and that we should move on..LUNATICS.

Liverpool relies far too heavily on it - a progressive, modern city shouldn't have to make a case for itself internationally on the basis of a 40-odd year old pop group.

I can't be the only one who finds the whole approach (for example, "John Lennon Airport") painfully cringe-worthy.

It has much more to offer than being some sort of novelty theme park.

[Rebus]

Originally Posted by Trommel

Liverpool relies far too heavily on it - a progressive, modern city shouldn't have to make a case for itself internationally on the basis of a 40-odd year old pop group.

I can't be the only one who finds the whole approach (for example, "John Lennon Airport") painfully cringe-worthy.

It has much more to offer than being some sort of novelty theme park.

As somebody who loves the Beatles and will listen to their music several times a week, and fully believes they are the best band ever (II), then I can see the positive side to this.

Remember, to people who like Rock N Roll music, or just music in general, The Beatles are massive. They were the greatest band in the world for a decade and broke new ground in many different areas. If you listen to all of their songs right through by the time you get to the end, several days later, you can start again and feel like you are listenting to a different band.

This is why people through out the world love it. I can understand why people who've never been into it would find it a bit cringe worthy. But the thing is, people all over- Japan, the USA, south America, Europe, Asia, Russia, every where love the Beatles and will lap up stuff like this.

This Norwegian bloke is only the tip of the iceberg. To be honest, given that a lot of money can be made form this, it seems to me that it would be a terrible waste not to exploit it.

Also, I'm sure Liverpool airport benefits from the name. A lot of people, believe it or not, will think it is a cool name. And besides, it is more fresh and interesting than "London: Gatwick", "Manchester: Ringpiece", "Birmingham...: Birmingham?"

The only thing I will say is that the city's economy needs to develop and envelop many other industries and brands and trades, so that the Beatles is only one of many big, famous brands that everybody wants a piece of.

[LABlue]

Lets face it this will still be the largest hotel in the City in 2006 and lots of unknowing people will stay there as the other hotels will be full only to be robbed or just pissed off.

tripadvisor rates it 2/5 and the last review was entitled 'hell hole' - Says it all really. The hotel ranks 59 out of 70 hotels in the area. God forbid to think what ranks lower.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...l_England.html

Does anyone have any bright ideas how someone can pressure these clowns to clean up their act??

[sloyne]

Originally Posted by Rebus

I'm sure Liverpool airport benefits from the name.

Believe it. I have a T-shirt with the Liverpool John Lennon Airport logo imprinted on it and I can't count how many people have asked were I bought it and if I could get them one. Anyone who thinks Liverpool's connection to the Beatles is detrimental hasn't any idea the pull of the group still has on the world of pop culture. Liverpool doesn't exploit the connection enough, IMO.

Originally Posted by Rebus

As somebody who loves the Beatles.......

Rebus must be Blabbernsmokes alter-ego. I know that the other banned soul had a dislike of John Lennon.

[Tony Sebo]

I think that the main point we need to bare in mind when looking at these thiengs though economics is that the city must be completely comprehensive in what it aims to do....

No limits to certain sectors, no favour for inward investment over enterprise etc... everything!

In ther case of tourism etc then the Beatles have an extremely important role to play.... but not the only one.... just like slavery is not the only story from former times, liverpool should look at more than the Beatles for what went on in the second half of the 20thC!

[kung_fuzi]

Originally Posted by Trommel

Liverpool relies far too heavily on it - a progressive, modern city shouldn't have to make a case for itself internationally on the basis of a 40-odd year old pop group.

I can't be the only one who finds the whole approach (for example, "John Lennon Airport") painfully cringe-worthy.

It has much more to offer than being some sort of novelty theme park.

Totally disagree with you.
Many 'progressive, modern' cities would give their eye teeth to get a bit of the Beatles action.

As for being 'cringe-worthy' the renaming of Liverpool airport was a publicity masterstroke.
Remember this was not done to honour the Beatles in some way but to gain maximum publicity for the Airport.

[Liverpool8]

Couldn't agree more, Kung. IMO some people are frustrated by the helping hand Lpool gets from its association with the Beatles. Milk it dry is what I say. The Beatles have proved to be one hell of a golden goose for this city and you can never have too many golden eggs.

Lucky Liverpool

[John Matrix 1985]

EDIT: is General Zod still around. I'm sure he'll sppreciate this pic. [/QUOTE]


He is still alive Blabbersmoke but has changed jobs so doesn't have regular access to a PC at the moment. He has told me the story of Jamaica House many times and how a 8ft Hightower off Police Academy lookalike scared the shite out of him when he went in for a cup of tea. Bit strange considering he could have easily killed him with his superpowers.

[JUXTAPOL]

I don't understand why people allways bring this argument about Liverpool relying too much on the past i.e. Beatles.

What about the football, Grand National, C.o.C 2008, Jaguar/LandRover/Pharaceutical industry made locally, rapidly expanding Airport (damm....that was started by the Beatles, it doesn't count), Universities, Music (other than the Beatles), LIPA (oh sorry must not mention that, as P@?l McC@$*^£y was involved), all the massive new developments across the city (blinkered people see Liverpool development thread ), a new 110 bed hotel on North John St themed after a local band, (names just evading me at the moment.......! The Zuton's "Hard days drinking" Hotel, i think), Mersey river festival, Parr st recording studios (Coldplay recorded there), new FACT (Film and creative technology centre), popular destination for film makers, New arena on waterfront to attract all the latest Beatles tribute bands, Bill Gates investing £30m in our School of Tropical medicine (because he was obsessed with the Beatles), Local club Cream created worldwide club brand and started the massive Creamfields (to go on top of our Strawberry Fields forever).

Ok i am having a bit of a joke but stop being obsessed with thinking Liverpool is obsessed with surviving off the Beatles, because that's not the case.

[kung_fuzi]

[QUOTE=JUXTAPOL]I don't understand why people allways bring this argument about Liverpool relying too much on the past i.e. Beatles.

What about the football, Grand National, C.o.C 2008, Jaguar/LandRover/Pharaceutical industry made locally, rapidly expanding Airport (damm....that was started by the Beatles, it doesn't count), Universities, Music (other than the Beatles), LIPA (oh sorry must not mention that, as P@?l McC@$*^£y was involved), all the massive new developments across the city (blinkered people see Liverpool development thread ), a new 110 bed hotel on North John St themed after a local band, (names just evading me at the moment.......! The Zuton's "Hard days drinking" Hotel, i think), Mersey river festival, Parr st recording studios (Coldplay recorded there), new FACT (Film and creative technology centre), popular destination for film makers, New arena on waterfront to attract all the latest Beatles tribute bands, Bill Gates investing £30m in our School of Tropical medicine (because he was obsessed with the Beatles), Local club Cream created worldwide club brand and started the massive Creamfields (to go on top of our Strawberry Fields forever).

Ok i am having a bit of a joke but stop being obsessed with thinking Liverpool is obsessed with surviving off the Beatles, because that's not the case.[/QUOTE]

[LABlue]

If the Beatles get visitors to the city so they can see that we have so so much more to offer then great and we shouldnt apologize just capitalize on it. Do you think Memphis worries about being Elvis's home?

I was in London last weekend and they were flogging Beatles walking tours ffs. If London sees benefit with all the attractions they have to offer international visitors then whats our problem.

I agree we should not be 'Beatlecentric' but if we dont everyone who has some vague link will use it while we sit on our hands - New York has a Strawberry Fields due to Lennons links to their city.

If we give them a chance even those friends of ours down the East Lancs Rd will have a Beatle attraction due to some vague notion that Paul had a crap at some butty bar in the Arndale.



By the way I am not a Beatles fan and dont listen to their music - I just acknowledge that they are the one of the most important truly global influences on modern music (ie the last half century.)

[Pietari]

It`s very important not to limit other people because somethings aren`t your thing (and I`m not getting into the conversation of heavy stuff )

Liverpool has very many avenues of interest and they won`t be everybodies.

"it`s a blessing to welcome the stranger"

With Liverpool you can travel from `Astronomy` to `Tides` to `God` to ` Music` to `Dance` to `Food` and to `Wine` it`s a full package and probably other things besides.

Liverpool is a bit of a party place IMHO and it is so easy to miss.

Whilst life has sorrow we should not ignore happiness.

[LABlue]

Originally Posted by LABlue

Lets face it this will still be the largest hotel in the City in 2006 and lots of unknowing people will stay there as the other hotels will be full only to be robbed or just pissed off.

tripadvisor rates it 2/5 and the last review was entitled 'hell hole' - Says it all really. The hotel ranks 59 out of 70 hotels in the area. God forbid to think what ranks lower.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...l_England.html

Does anyone have any bright ideas how someone can pressure these clowns to clean up their act??

saw this article today

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

They should be thrown out not because of the security aspect but because they are a shite hotel and an embarassment to the city. I think I'll email the Tourist Board and tell them so

[T0M]

"Nobody from the hotel was available to comment last night." I bet they were all too shocked to speak!

[Pietari]

Originally Posted by LABlue

saw this article today

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

They should be thrown out not because of the security aspect but because they are a shite hotel and an embarassment to the city. I think I'll email the Tourist Board and tell them so

I`m fairly sure I`ve posted a previous article regarding `Britannia` intending to invest some tens of £ms in the `Adelphi` prior to `ECoC` which would at least go some considerable way to making it the sort of hotel it was and should be again.

Let`s hope so.