January 26, 2007

EUROPE | ENGLAND | LIVERPOOL

John, Paul, George, Ringo & Mal

By Mark Jolly

A new star draws the spotlight to Liverpool.

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Malmaison, the boutique chain known for funky, affordable luxury, will open their tenth British hotel, in Liverpool, on Monday. The stable of stylish “Mal” properties includes their flagship London address on the edge of Charterhouse Square; a converted prison in Oxford; and Kylie Minogue’s lodging of choice when she is in Manchester (the tabs were tickled recently when she booked the Moulin Rouge suite plus its two adjacent rooms to keep them empty during her stay).

The latest Mal, situated on Liverpool’s increasingly trendified Princess Dock, will no doubt rival the landmarked Hope Street Hotel for its claim as the city’s premier boutique property. Either way, the timing couldn’t be better for the historic Merseyside hub, which is enjoying huge economic growth (it’s outstripped the national average for the past three years), and has seen airport passenger numbers soar by 32 percent in 12 months. This spring, as Liverpool celebrates its 800th birthday, Scottish airline Flyglobespan launches a New York-Liverpool daily service. And next year? The city takes on the mantle of European Capital of Culture. All that remains is for Liverpool FC to regain its glory years.