Workers would have once lined Liverpool’s Duke Street, weaving long ropes as part of the city’s crucial role in the craft of ropemaking for the ships that dominated the area in the 18th and 19th centuries. The busy street, as well as surrounding Parr Street, Seel Street, Fleet Street, Bold Street and more, now named The RopeWalks, were at the heart of this skilled industry that formed the backbone of the city’s shipbuilding heritage.
Today, the area is a hubbub of people visiting for the many great eating and drinking spots from brunch cafes and chic cocktail bars to hideaway speakeasies and top dining destinations. I took a stroll to the corner of Slater Street and The Halyard, one of Liverpool’s hottest new hotels where, just like those ropemakers, they are weaving their own magic.
The Halyard, named after the nautical term for a rope knot and which stands on the footprint of former 18th century rope-making warehouses, is part of the IHG’s Vignette collection – the first of its kind in the UK. But, despite the size of the hotel group, you’ll find no generic corporate approach.
And it is no happy accident. Every detail has been thought of. Rooms, with fluffy robes, plump pillows, luxe décor and beautiful bathrooms are influenced by some of Liverpool’s connections. You might spot the discreet cogs appearing in some of the rooms’ décor – a nod to the city’s link with Meccano, a 'rope and twines' theme and a Peter Blake inspiration after the pop artist, known for co-creating the sleeve design for the Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Gimmicky this is not, though.
Those lucky enough to stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious suites also have their own rooftop terrace which, again, puts Liverpool front and centre with spectacular views of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, The Royal Liver Building and the waterfront.
Once we’d settled in, we enjoyed The Halyard’s ‘memorable ritual’ – a short of Champurrado, a velvety warm chocolate drink with an (optional) tot of Liverpool Lost Dock Rum, a nod to the daily rations of sailors’ past with help from 3 Lids Rum, producers of the tipple.
The hotel’s restaurant Voyager’s, named after the poem A Voyager’s Dream of Land by Liverpool poet Felicia Dorothea Hemans, born in Duke Street in 1793, is the perfect place to spend a while. After drinks of Halyard Gin and tonic in the chic lounge – the perfect people watching spot at street level – we headed to the restaurant – the domain of former Elite Bistros chef Jake Parry.
We enjoyed small plates of a belly of smoked bacon glazed in a smoked garlic honey with creamy roasted peanut sauce, salted white cabbage and crispy chilli oil; crab cakes with a punchy lime, coriander and chilli jam; smoked duck, parmesan and parsley croquettes where one plate just wasn’t enough and fresh, summery burrata caponata with courgette and tomato stew, a smooth chive oil and chucky focaccia croutes – the ideal dish for the sunny Liverpool day. Dessert was a shared Liverpool tart, a traditional recipe dating back to 1897 served with a pleasing quenelle of muscovado cream. A great end to the evening’s feast.
The next morning, after a comfortable night in their huge, sink into beds, breakfast called. At The Halyard it comes in many forms from simple cereals to chocolate orange overnight oats. Smashed avocado on toast was a bit heavy with chilli oil and the superb sourdough from the much-loved city centre Baltic Bakehouse could have been made to shine with a healthy spread of salted butter for this butter lover. But I’m being picky.
The Halyard, with its strolling distance to all of the city’s top spots is a Liverpool hotel that is sure to shine and become as much a part of the city life as those ropemakers once were.
ihg.com/vignettecollection/hotels
