Helen Dalley checks into The Municipal Hotel and Spa Liverpool MGallery, the city’s new design-driven house of slumber.

Housed in a Grade II* listed building, The Municipal Hotel and Spa Liverpool MGallery is the only five-star hotel in Liverpool’s city centre and the first MGallery property in the UK.

If it’s a Grade II* listed building, then it must be well preserved?

Absolutely. Having stood here since 1868 – it was previously the home of Liverpool City Council – original features abound, including an iconic clock tower, acres of original wood panelling, vintage fireplaces in bedrooms and the council’s Liver bird crest in Palm Court. Now a swish space for coffees, cocktails, and casual bites since the hotel’s opening in May 2023, it’s where locals once came in to pay their council tax.

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MGallery is all about great design, right?

Yep – owners Accor describe MGallery properties as, “boutique hotels, each with its own original design and unique stories to tell.” We love the vibrant yellow, blue, and orange sofas, armchairs and pouffes in the drawing room, the original round radiators in Palm Court, and the funky floral print chairs in the Botanic tearoom. Another cool feature is the preserved parquet tiling in the corridors.

Does it feel contemporary?

Yes, but perhaps more a stylish juxtaposition of old meets new. In the reception area, vibrant orange chairs sit atop an original wooden floor, while Palm Court’s sleek, rectangular marble bar is framed by towering potted palms that draw the eye up to the gorgeous white ceiling and its ornate cornicing.

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What about the location?

The hotel is situated on Dale Street, with easy access to the main attractions like the Royal Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool and the Cavern Quarter, whose cobbled streets are home to live music venues, gift shops and restaurants. You can walk to Liverpool Lime Street in less than 10 minutes, too.

How about the rooms?

There are 179 in total, including four suite types (executive, superior, junior and presidential). I stayed in an Executive Suite, which measures in at 32-sqm and featured a roomy double with a William Morris print on the headboard, vibrant pics of the city painted by local artists on the walls, and blue herringbone tiling in the bathroom. The sofas in suites convert into a bed.

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Any good dining options?

Menu highlights at the main restaurant, Seaforth, include seared scallops with black pudding fritters; and seabass aqua pazza with new potatoes, fennel, spring onion, red chilli, cherry tomato and black olive tapenade. I sampled the celeriac and truffle veloute and roast cauliflower steak with crispy kavolo nero and toasted hazelnuts and was equally charmed by the food and my waiter, Michael Douglas, who possessed a twinkle worthy of his namesake. Palm Court, meanwhile, offers an upscale twist on comfort food with dishes like lobster mac and cheese, duck scotch eggs and chicken chipotle burgers.

What shouldn’t I miss?

While there’s an additional charge of £50 (US$63) – 0r £30 (US$38) off peak between 7am and 10am, 6pm-8pm – the spa facilities at The Municipal Hotel and Spa Liverpool MGallery are worth checking out: there’s a 16m indoor swimming pool, Himalayan salt sauna, steam room, monsoon experience shower, ice experience and laconium plus four treatment rooms for therapies that range from a charcoal body polish and foot massage to Elemis and Grown Alchemist facials.