The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection, an IHG Hotel

The Halyard Liverpool, part of IHG’s expanding Luxury & Lifestyle Vignette portfolio, has opened in Liverpool. Named after a nautical rope knot, the hotel’s design combines the city’s industrial era with nods to Liverpool’s artistic heritage. It’s destination restaurant Voyagers is a must for foodies, while its top-floor suites feature rooftop terraces with panoramic city views. The Luxury Editor recently stayed here – read onto discover more.

A Fusion of History and Modernity

In August 2021, IHG Hotels & Resorts launched the Vignette Collection brand, introducing a unique family of one-of-a-kind hotels to the world, with the first property, Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, opening in December of the same year. Characterised by their dedication to offering authentic, experiential, and thoughtful stays in hotels that are unique, luxuriously independent, and have a strong sense of individuality, there are now 11 open around the world (at the time of writing) with the latest to open being The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection.

Housed in a newly built property within Liverpool’s historic Ropewalks, the building’s architecture pays homage to the city’s rich docklands heritage, offering a contemporary take on the area’s historical river and railway architecture. The exterior aesthetics merges sleek lines with dual-layered copper cladding while inviting warm red bricks and whimsical geometric patterns, are accented by industrial elements. At the entrance an illuminated copper mesh laminated glass catches the eye, paying homage to the adjacent river and railway station.

The hotel boasts an array of facilities and spaces to explore. Unwind in the tea and cocktail lounge or enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the bar which flows into Voyagers restaurant. For fitness enthusiasts, the top-floor gym provides an invigorating workout experience with excellent city views.

Industrial Age Elegance and Oriental Charms

Each area of the hotel showcases a fusion of Industrial Age aesthetics with refined, lively hues. Guest rooms reflect the riveting motifs reminiscent of the city’s maritime legacy, from its transatlantic trade routes to the bustling ropewalks and innovative trade practices. The hotel’s art collection offers diverse interpretations, featuring accents inspired by the nearby river and fabrics that exude an Oriental charm. Wall art, influenced by the nearby vibrant Chinatown and the flowing River Mersey, adorns the spaces, narrating the unique story of the hotel.

Oriental influences flow through the communal areas with vivid splashes of colour and intricate textiles and furniture. Notably, the bar features a captivating custom acrylic tile artwork, evoking imagery ranging from a fishing net to mystical sea creatures.

Location

Located on Duke Street in the heart of the Ropewalk, this eclectic quarter draws its name from the 19th-century practice of crafting ropes for sailing ships, a nod to Liverpool’s storied past as a global shipping hub. Today, the Ropewalks is renowned for its creative pulse, from the buzzing nightlife on Seel Street to the artisanal charm of Bold Street, the Ropewalks district embodies Liverpool’s spirit of innovation and resilience. Here you will find an array of independent boutiques, galleries, bars and restaurants that showcase the best of the city.

Perfectly positioned in the city, Liverpool Lime Street Station is a 10-minute walk away, you are also minutes away from Royal Albert Dock where you can spend an afternoon enjoying the museums, Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral are also within close walking distance and you are seconds away from Chinatown which is packed with restaurants.

Rooms and Suites

Home to 133 bedrooms across three room categories, with queen or king-sized beds while some include sofa beds and suites offering uninterrupted views across the city and their own terrace and the option for a king-sized bed or two doubles.

Bedroom

Rooms are uniform in shape, but clever interior design, ranging from dark studded walls, and sleek cream panelling, along with a cocktail cabinet, globe down lighters beside the bed and brushed brass plug points add a contemporary finish to the room.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow light to flood into the room, whilst space feels further enhanced by having the bath sink outside the bathroom increasing the floor space and partitioned off from the bedroom with a clever jack and jill open plan wardrobe and dressing table.

Bathroom

Luxury brand Temple Spa is used throughout the hotel whose botanically derived products, packed with pure essential oils leave you feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Standard rooms come with a walk-in marble-effect rain shower, whilst some of the terrace suites also include a bath.

Amenities

Rooms also feature a Nespresso machine, safe, iron, a mini fridge, premium glassware, safe, hair dryer and we also received complimentary Halyard gin and tonics, with the gin made by Turncoat, a small batch gin distillery in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle.

View

Views are either city-facing or dock-facing, we were on the 4th floor which gave us a good view over the city, so you probably want floor 4 upwards for the best vista. Dockside you would potentially need to be higher up than the 4th floor to see the docks.

Turn Down

There was an evening turn down when we stayed with mineral water provided (in recyclable cans) and a chocolate left on the bed.

Voyagers

The restaurant, whose name is a nod to the poem ‘A Voyager’s Dream of Land’ by Duke Street-born poet Felicia Hemans, serves a dinner menu of small and large plates, plus an all-day dining option and afternoon tea. 

Our Dining Experience

During our stay we opted for the sharing menu, the concept is that the menu takes you on a ‘sail around the world’, to places which are inspired by the different cultures that bring our city together.

We started with cocktails, they do a fine margarita!

We opted for – Pastrami Style Salmon, Nduja Scotch Egg, Pan Fried Gnocchi, Caramelised Cauliflower Croquettes and Smocked Duck Croquetes.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in Voyagers, with an a la carte option as well as a nice cold buffet selection you can order a selection of inclusive breakfast options or upgrade for a few extra pounds to items like french toast, eggs florentine or avocado on toast.

Final Thoughts

The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection is a real asset to Liverpool. It’s contemporary, luxurious and offers great value for money. As our first time experiencing a Vignette Collection property, it left us keen to explore the brand further and with 19 more hotels in the pipeline including Shanghai Snow World Hotel, Vignette Collection and Verno House Budapest, Vignette Collection which will both open this year this brand really is on a roll.

This property is included in our guide to the best hotels in Liverpool