New Hilton Hotel welcomes first guests
In pictures
By Liz Hewitt
Hilton opens in Liverpool: manager Marcus Magee & Julie Wellings: image courtesy of Dave Evans
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The distinguished Hilton Hotel opened its doors in Liverpool for the first time this morning.
Two years and £55m later and the 4-star deluxe Hilton Liverpool became available for the first patrons to check-in.
With 65 guests expected to be staying on its first night as well as hosting a 200-strong dinner for the Merseyside Employers Coalition this evening, revenue at the Hilton is expected to soar in the 215 guest rooms during the coming months.
The Liverpool branch of the Hilton hopes to be particularly well-received in preparation for the festive season, and the formal opening of the hotel has been delayed until 28th January with this in mind.
Hilton Liverpool General Manager, Marcus Magee, formerly the Area Manager for Hilton in the North of Scotland was appointed in April to take on the Liverpool project.
He said: “It’s a huge step for Hilton. Hilton has been looking for many years to come into Liverpool and with the opportunity of the right location and the right timing - which I think was absolutely right - we’re very pleased and proud to be here.”
Overlooking the Albert Dock, Hilton Liverpool has stayed true in its design to the city’s rich heritage. The River Mersey resonates throughout its lavish and contemporary interior through glass, markings and sculpture, not to mention wooden flooring which is designed to echo the meandering of the River Mersey.
The history of Liverpool’s infrastructure is reflected at the bar in particular; named Pima after a high quality cotton that was imported from the US. The Exchange Restaurant, which features locally sourced cuisine, continually reflects that Liverpool was a major player in the cotton industry in times gone by, situated where the trade of cotton goods would have been.
Once again, the interior design reflects the importance of the cotton industry to Liverpool. The light fittings masquerade as cotton balls and even the patterns on the carpet in the bar area simulate the appearance of cotton strands.
Mr Magee said: “The Liverpool One project, which was a £1bn project with Grosvenor, Hilton, is the final link in the chain as far as the Liverpool One development is concerned. It’s a momentous day for everybody.”
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