I checked to see if its ‘notorious reputation’ was really deserved
Hannah Rees stays at The Adelphi hotel in Liverpool city centre(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel has a notorious reputation. Stories of Hollywood stars, politicians and musicians as guests and special celebrations marked by locals and visitors at the luxurious hotel have been swapped with one-star reviews detailing eventful and disappointing stays.
The once grand hotel has been hit by negative reviews that have left it averaging 3.1 stars on Google and 2.6 stars on Tripadvisor. After a quick glance on both platforms you’ll find descriptions of a hotel stay ranging from “the ambience of a Cold War bunker” to “straight out of The Shining”.
The Adelphi Hotel began its life in Liverpool in 1826 after hotelier James Radley opened a hotel building in Ranelagh Place, on the site of the Ranelagh Gardens. It was knocked down and rebuilt 50 years later, opening as the ‘second’ Adelphi in 1876. Its rebuild was aimed at offering a more luxurious experience with more than 300 rooms and around 140 members of staff.
In 1892, the Midland hotel chain was successful in taking over the hotel under the stewardship of William Towle, and it was renamed the Midland Adelphi. After 18 years of being handled by Towle, it was felt that the hotel needed change. This led to the building being demolished and construction began on a third building, which saw its grand opening four years later.
Scenes inside the famous Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool city centre , 22nd December 1959(Image: Mirrorpix)
The ‘third’ Adelphi opened in 1914 and is the same building that stands to this day. It housed a heated indoor swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, Turkish baths, shooting galleries and two restaurants that specialised in both French and English cuisine.
Many foreign dignitaries, actors and pop stars including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Bob Dylan have been spotted at the Adelphi over the years. Iconic Scouse star Cilla Black held her wedding reception at the hotel back in 1969. It’s fair to say it was once the place to be.
The hotel was eventually sold by British Rail to Britannia Hotels in 1983, who continue to operate the hotel. Britannia have been rated as the worst hotel company in the UK for 12 consecutive years by Which?, as of November 2025.
The ECHO has reported on a number of negative experiences, but also tragic incidents occurring at the hotel in recent years. One resulted in the death of a “kind and caring” young woman called Chloe Haynes, who was crushed to death by a wardrobe in the city centre hotel in September 2022. Chloe, from North Wales, was just 21 when she died.
Another incident saw a three-year-old girl called Valencia Verdin injured and covered in blood when a cabinet fell on her and glass smashed on her head while staying at the hotel. Following the incident, her mum reported it to Liverpool City Council and the local authority confirmed that its Environmental Health team had launched an investigation into what happened.
A council spokesperson later confirmed that the cabinet that fell on to Valencia was seized by the Environmental Health team, pending further investigation. The team also instructed the hotel to carry out a check of all of its rooms for similar furniture which was completed.
I stayed at the hotel on Monday, December 1 to see if it continues to live up to its reputation as one of the city’s worst hotels. My stay cost £54 for two people excluding breakfast.
Checking in
The lounge area inside the hotel(Image: Hannah Rees)
We arrived at the hotel at around 6pm. Despite our later arrival time, there were a few people checking in ahead of us. There was one person on the desk which led to a five minute wait with people ahead.
We had no issues checking in. I asked about breakfast, which I was told would be available from 7am until 10am, and was told I could book on if I fancied it in the morning. However, this later turned out to be a 9.30am finish on weekdays. We were given two key cards for our room on the fifth floor and were directed to the lifts behind us.
The check-in area still has signs of its former grandeur with marble tiling, a grand staircase leading to its lounge and 1920s-style brass features. It just looked a bit tired under the low lighting. Although its lounge is absolutely stunning and felt like something out of a five-star hotel with a beautiful hanging chandeliers, marble pillars, art deco ceiling and palm trees.
The view from the fifth floor(Image: Hannah Rees)
There was also a huge traditional Christmas tree at the back which looked like we were spending a night at the Plaza on ‘Home Alone 2’ – rather than the Overlook Hotel from ‘The Shining’ as reviews might suggest.
But a trip up in the lift showed us why that description might be used. We were staying in room 572 on the fifth floor. It felt like a maze, with each long corridor no different to the next, only marked by gold signage pointing out the direction of room numbers and its lifts. Fortunately, I didn’t have Jack Torrance chasing me down.
The room
Inside the room at The Adelphi Hotel(Image: Hannah Rees)
On first glance our room was fine. There was a double bed, two chairs, television, kettle, iron, fan, mirror, hairdryer, and plenty of storage space – all that you could want during a short-stay in the city. The bed wasn’t the biggest which was a bit of a struggle for my 6ft 4′ partner. But overall the room facilities were good.
It felt like we’d stepped back in time with off-white backroom fittings and its shower curtain. Its dark wood bed frame took me back to my childhood bedroom in the ’90s.
Like I was on an episode of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed, I started scanning the bathroom, shower curtain and bed sheets. The bathroom was clear of any stray hairs or grime, just a couple of marks on the shower curtain but nothing major. The bed sheets were spotless.
The bed which was spotless(Image: Hannah Rees)
I also wiped around a few surface areas with a baby wipe which produced nothing. The walls and carpets did have marks and stains which suggested the room was in need of a makeover more than anything.
One thing I struggled with was the heat. Although it was December, it was roasting in the room, even with the radiator on low and the room’s thermostat turned right down. I also couldn’t get the windows open either, which ultimately led to a very hot and restless night’s sleep.
There was also an issue with the cold tap which meant the water came firing out leaving you splashed.
Wave bar
Hannah Rees stays at The Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool city centre
My partner and I were staying at the hotel after a much-needed weekend away so decided to finish our time off work with one last beer. We chose to see what the hotel had to offer, so visited the Wave bar which is located just off the lobby area.
We both couldn’t believe how busy and booming it was. There was live music, big groups gabbing over a few glasses of wine and people playing pool. There must have been at least 50 people in there. It had a great atmosphere and I am sure a lot livelier compared to other city venues late on a Monday.
Again, its traditional décor felt like stepping back in time to a pub in the ’00s – just minus the clouds of cigarette smoke. It had a real buzz to it. We sat ourselves at a bar table and enjoyed two bottles of Estrella Damm.
Stains on the carpetThe verdict
The room was fine, the staff were helpful and the Wave Bar was a nice surprise. But I couldn’t help feeling slightly deflated. Things like flaking paint, stained carpets and water damaged ceilings show the place is in need of some TLC.
As my colleague Liam Thorp put in August, The Adelphi “should be the pride of our city”. He’s absolutely right, it should be. It is a shame that this historic building feels like stepping back in time, but not for the right reasons.