Liverpool, Albert Docks, The Crowne Plaza

We visited the Crowne Plaza at the end of July 2006. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is situated in Liverpool City Centre - star rating 4-star. Located approximately 20 minutes walk to the central shopping centre, but in a location you'll feel safe in, as believe you me, there are plenty of areas you won't be. The hotel is right by the Albert Dock and directly opposite the Liver Building, but it is not a noisy hotel. The hotel has views of the Mersey River, so make sure when you book to ask for a room with a view, otherwise you'll get views of cranes (a lot of much needed building work is going on throughout Liverpool). This particular hotel caters for mostly business people, and of course being repeat business, I am sure they are allocated the best rooms. Children under 12 sharing a room with adults were able to eat free for breakfast, which was a plus.

The hotel has it's own private car park located at the front of the hotel, but charges it's residents £5 per day for the privilege, non-residents I think was £12, and we felt it should be free for residents. The hotel entrance is very nice, and I believe the hotel had been refurbished but I am not sure when. There is a very nice lobby, reception and lounge area, although it did stink of smoke, especially in the lounge area. It was a pity there wasn't a lounge for non-smokers. Smoking or non-smoking rooms were available.

Our family room was small, but it was nicely decorated, and it has a contemporary feel with chocolate/cream decor. Our party consisted of two adults and one 10 year old child, and we had a two queen size double bedded family room. The room was small for a family room, and would have been too cramped if had you had two children. The bathroom was very small, but it was adequate for two people, but not as a family room. There was only one bath robe allocated, but there were plenty of towels and complimentary toiletries, which were filled up each day. I was unimpressed with the small bath with a shower overhead, and it was not the best of showers. We did have a drain smell coming from our sink which wasn't pleasant. Also, as usual in most hotels the front bath panel was cracked and the grouting was dirty looking. This room was only just suitable for our 2 night stay. If we were staying any longer then I would have demanded to change rooms. There was a very small wardrobe housing an ironing board, and if we were staying longer with suitcases, then there would have been no room to put them. There was also a small TV with some Sky channels, plus pay-as-you-watch film channels, which were expensive for just under £10 per viewing per film, and included 4 films suitable for children. We had air conditioning, but it wasn't working very well and with three of us in the room it still felt stuffy, and the window could not be opened. The room had tea and coffee making facilities, but given that we had a family room there were only two items of everything - poor. A mini bar was in the room, but it was expensive, as they all are. One lounge chair and small round table is not suitable for a family room, and we would have expected a settee. Internet access in the room was available. Two complimentary bottles of mineral water were on the coffee table, but they were not replaced on the second day.

The hotel does have good facilities, and it has its own Health and Leisure club, including an 18 metre pool and spa pool, steam room, sauna and a solarium. The extensive gymnasium has views of the river. The swimming pool was free for residents. Note: children can only swim between certain times. Breakfast was excellent with plenty of choice, although the waiters were not the most friendly people you'll ever come across, and they made it known it was a chore getting anything for you. Although, there were plenty of waiting staff, they seemed more interested in chatting than making sure food items were stocked up, apart from the lady frying fresh eggs. We had to ask for more croissants, which took ages to come out, and then they were freezing cold!

The hotel does have executive rooms, but they were not available for us at the time of booking. I think they are most likely to be allocated to the businessmen. I got the impression that people with children seemed to be allocated rooms in one particular section of the hotel away from people on business.

Things to do: The hotel is near Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, which was too far to walk, but approximately £7 by taxi. Do not drive there, as there is nowhere to park, and more than likely your car will get broken in to. The stadium tour has to be booked in advance, but not the museum. It is well worth a visit for any footie fan. There are very friendly staff there, and it is great value for money. Thumbs up for Liverpool F.C, and I'm not a footie fan. If you do visit and feel peckish, try the tiny bakery next to the pub by the stadium. They sell massive rolls for only £1, and they are freshly made by an elderly couple, along with their homemade pies and pasties.

Do take the sightseeing city bus tour, which was £6 per adult and £3 per child. You can hop on and off as many times as you like, as it valid for 24 hours and runs until 5:30pm. Take a short Mersey cruise, which is good value for money too. The Maritime Museum located just a short walk from the hotel was free, and it is well worth a visit.

My overall impression of Liverpool is that it would be worth a visit again once all the building and improvement works have been carried out. More car parks are desperately needed, and also more child friendly restaurants. There are too many derelict boarded up buildings in between new buildings. It does feel very unsafe to walk around, and that's saying something from someone who has lived in London for 10 years. I've never been in a shop to buy a newspaper where they have have toughened plastic glass barriers between you and the assistants - "too many robberies" said the assistant. Most of the shops have barriers/shutters and security on the doors, even in the city centre.

Would I return? No! In its present state, no way!

We paid £113 for a family room, inclusive of full breakfast & VAT per night, which was booked via the internet. It was value for money really, given that it was a 4-star hotel.

My star ratings: Hotel 3.5/5 - Anfield Stadium Tour & Museum 5/5 - Sightseeing Bus Tour 4/5 - Mersey cruise 4/5 - Family friendly restaurants 0/5 - Liverpool City 2/5.