Legend has it if the Liver birds flew away, Liverpool would disappear with them. The city's pair of winged guardians sit on top of the Liver building, once headquarters to the Royal Liver Assurance. The male, Bertie protects the city, while the female, Bella looks to the sea, keeping the sailors safe until they return back to port.
As a proud liver bird myself, I was delighted to try out one of the new signature suites at the Malmaison Liverpool, a stone’s throw from the city’s most famous residents. Mine was the Bella suite, looking out over the spectacular waterfront, and those famous high-flyers.
The suite was just as spectacular as the view, with a sitting room and spacious bedroom, complete with a super king-size bed, plus luxurious dual walk-in monsoon showers.
The friendly team had thought of everything, and we arrived to a bottle of fizz on ice.
The bathroom was well stocked with Freda eco-products, and there was a good selection of healthy options in the bedroom, with herbal teas and water.
The suite was so good we could have been tempted to stay there all night, but knowing that there was a new-look restaurant and bar to try, we ventured downstairs.
The revamped and reopened Malmaison Bar & Grill is a haven of warmth, light and bold colour, offering dockside dining at its finest, with the décor paying homage to the heritage of the city and a newly updated deck offering guests a waterside sun trap, with a Josper Grill cooking meat and fish dishes to fiery perfection over hot coals.
There’s a range of seasonal menus, and service is fantastic – very attentive but not overkill, with perfect Scouse hospitality. I had hummus and warm bread to start, followed by pesto chicken with the most delicious dressed lettuce hearts, and a molten chocolate dessert.
Breakfast was equally good, with an excellent choice of options.
Before we checked out in the morning I made sure Bella and Bertie were still in pride of place. If their night was anything as comfortable as mine, they won't be flying off any time soon.
Malmaison Liverpool, 7 William Jessop Way, Liverpool L3 1QZ
malmaison.com
THE FAB FOUR
What not to miss while you’re on Liverpool’s famous waterfront
Mersey Ferries
Enjoy the ultimate sightseeing experience and take a ferry ‘cross the Mersey. See the best views of Liverpool and Wirral’s spectacular waterfronts from the deck of the world’s most famous ferry, on one of their 50-minute River Explorer Cruises. Cruises depart Liverpool Gerry Marsden Terminal (Pier Head), on the hour and Seacombe Ferry Terminal, Wirral at twenty past the hour.
Daily, merseyferries.co.uk
The Royal Albert Dock
The most-visited free tourist destination in North West England is home to museums, galleries, restaurants, bars and shops. Tate Liverpool has some of the best British and international modern and contemporary art, while the Maritime Museum is home to objects from the Titanic, offering an insight into life at sea through the ages. The International Slavery Museum tells the untold stories of enslaved people, and The Beatles Story is the world's largest permanent exhibition devoted to the lives and times of four lads from Liverpool who shook the world.
Daily, albertdock.com
The Beatles Statue
Donated by the famous Cavern Club, the city's most popular selfie spot is home to four larger-than-life statues. Crafted by Andrew Edwards who also created the All Together Now Christmas Truce WWI statue, they are filled with attention to detail, such as an 'L8' on the bottom of Ringo's shoe and the acorns in John's hand, cast from the ones that were picked up outside the Dakota building in New York where he lived, and was shot down. They show the young Beatles leaving their hometown, strolling away from the famous Three Graces: the Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings.
visitliverpool.com/listing/the-beatles-statue
The Museum of Liverpool
Explore Liverpool’s fascinating, diverse history in this magnificent free waterfront museum. More than 6,000 objects bring Liverpool’s incredible heritage to life, including Ben Johnson’s Liverpool Cityscape, a life-size Liver bird, the King’s Regiment archive, local archaeology collection and fascinating large objects in the Land Transport collection. Head to the skylight galleries for an unmissable sweeping view of the Three Graces – this window won ‘Best window with a view’ in an online poll – so is definitely worth a stop off.
Daily, liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
