Radisson RED. With such a strong brand identity, this new hotel in Liverpool has everything it takes to become a favourite haunt for fans of the Reds, the legendary football club from the city in the north of England. And for business travellers, because of its location. Radisson's lifestyle brand has just given a new lease of life to one of Britain's oldest railway hotelsThe Northern Western Hall, next to Liverpool's main Lime Street station.
Opened in 1871, this historic establishment with its castle-like atmosphere de la Loire situated not far from the banks of the Mersey, has intermittently traversed the city's history. Although ideally located, the site became underused after the hotel closed in the early 1930s, with the exception of its conversion in the 1990s into student accommodation for Liverpool John Moores University.
The Radisson RED brand has restored all its prestige to this listed building, designed in Renaissance style by the architect of London's Natural History Museum, Alfred Waterhouse. The establishment has seen the renovation of its grand staircases staircase, complete with a 94-metre banister, a restoration and polishing job requiring almost 800 hours of work. At the same time, just above the staircase, stained glass experts rebuilt a six-metre-high window, bathing the hotel's atrium in light.
" The building has undergone an incredible transformationsaid Tom Flanagan Karttunen, Senior VP for Northern and Western Europe at Radisson. This is one of the first buildings visitors to the city will see on arrival. So we've worked hard to create an unforgettable experience for residents and tourists" .
Beyond these historical references, the hotel is in tune with the times, as reflected in the Radisson RED brand's design approach. In the centre of the hotel, a 1960s-style scooter and sidecar take pride of place, as doa sculpture of a submarineAny reference to the four boys who took Liverpool's music scene to the top is obviously not accidental. On the walls of the lobby and in the bedrooms, contemporary works created by local artist Indigo Art and black and white photographs highlighted in red highlight the city's culture and identity.
Situated close to Liverpool's major music and entertainment venues such as the Empire Theatre and, just across the road from the hotel, the famous St George's Hall concert hall, the Radisson RED brings its recreational touch with its robata barbecue and grill restaurantThe Stoke. This 'farm to table' restaurant offers both vegetarian options and more carnivorous specialities, such as this 800g ribeye, dry-aged for 38 days and grass-fed by local producers.
Business travellers will therefore be able to stay in one or other of the 201 rooms and suitessome overlooking St George's Hall. They will also be able to hold their meetings there, as the Radisson RED Liverpool has five rooms for up to 50 peopleThis is complemented by a private dining room seating 8, for discreet lunches and dinners.
