TAKE ME WITH YOU…
Hope Street Hotel is in the heart of Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, an easy-on-the-eye area with cobbled streets, Georgian buildings and black railings. The city’s Anglican Cathedral, Philharmonic Orchestra, Music College and many stylish bars are all on the doorstep.
The décor inside is industrial chic-meets retro, with exposed pink Cheshire brickwork, original parquet flooring, industrial pillars, black leather chairs and 60’s chrome lighting.
SHALL WE SPA?
From the spacious hotel lobby area, head down a flight of stairs to the spa, a sympathetic modern extension with plenty of glass and black pillars juxtaposing the red brick of the hotel.
We were warmly greeted in the reception area - with its light wood floors, mustard and grey chairs and exposed brickwork (a theme) - and handed a mink-hued robe, lilac towel and flip-flops, as well as a wristband to operate the doors.
Changing rooms are spacious and bright with grey lockers and marble vanity bars with wooden stools, as well as four sets of GHD hairdryers and straighteners in handy holders. There are two loos, and five showers stocked with Temple Spa shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. Change beside one of two padded light grey benches or nip into the private changing cubicle.
The 15-metre indoor pool is dark, sleek and fantastic for swimming lengths. Push the button on the wall to turn the water blades on. We loved watching our floating reflection in the black gloss ceiling mirror above. There’s even underwater music to add to the dream-like experience.
At the far end, you’ll find a dark relaxation area with hypnotic LED icicle lighting; crash out on one of four modern comfy loungers or curl up in the double egg chair sofa.
Between the indoor pool and relaxation area there’s an opening - step down into the warm water and swim out into the large square courtyard vitality pool, complete with several wooden benches and two black open fires.
The water temperature was perfect on our visit – a deliciously addictive contrast of warm water and cool fresh air - as several bubbly jets massaged our backs as a soft breeze tickled our faces.
A door from here leads to a large thermal area edged by loungers for pre- or post-heat relaxing. The gentle Herbal Sauna accommodates 10 spa goers at a time on wooden benches; for something hotter, enter the moody Aroma Steam Room with its black marble walls, floors and seats. Cool down at the ice bowl afterwards or brave the cold-water drench bucket.
There’s a separate glass room with four hot tepidarium beds, good for relaxing the muscles before a treatment.
Our favourite thermal experience was the Himalayan Salt Sauna with its orange salt bricks, three levels of wooden benches and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Vitality pool and courtyard. Spa butlers are on hand to take drinks orders - a glass of fizz in the sauna? Don’t mind if we do.
Post-treatment relaxation takes place in the Serenity Lounge with its flickering fire; two armchairs, a chunky rug and a glass coffee table create a warm and cosy setting. Or chill out on one of the six grey loungers separated by flowing curtains, each with overhead reading lamp. There’s also a hammam and a studio for classes.
TREATMENT TALK
We tried Brush with Heaven (80 minutes, £150).
My therapist, Katelyn, greeted me in the spa reception area and led me down the corridor to the treatment room where she talked me through my treatment - a top-to-toe ritual carried out entirely with brushes, rather than hands. I wasn’t sure what to expect,but was intrigued.
Lying face down, Katelyn began by inviting me to take a few deep breaths as she wafted Temple Spa’s Breath of Life (a eucalyptus essence) under my nose. Then came a soothing foot ritual with warm mitts – and, from that moment on, everything was performed with brushes.
One half of my body was uncovered - leg, back, and arm - and Katelyn began with a vigorous brush that got the blood flowing immediately. A gentler brush followed, smoothing on warm Drift Away body oil in long, sweeping strokes. Next, she glided a cooling quartz crystal stick up my muscles in rhythmic motions.
This sequence was repeated on the other side of my body, before Katelyn brushed through my hair with a tangle teaser which was unexpectedly relaxing.
Turning onto my back, the same flowing pattern continued - brush, oil, cooling quartz - melting away every ounce of tension that I didn’t realise I’d been carrying.
For the facial element, Katelyn applied a cleansing balm with soft brushes, followed by a featherlight fan brush to sweep on an oxygen peel that fizzed and tingled (dead skin cells be gone). A hydrating mask followed and was removed with warm mitts, before a brush-applied Temple Spa’s neck gel and moisturiser. Tiny metal eye massagers were used to apply eye cream, followed by a final brush of lip balm; a spritz of Joy-Full energising fragrant mist concluded the treatment.
HOW DID IT MEASURE UP?
This really was eighty minutes of sheer, sensory bliss. And exactly what I needed - deeply relaxing and surprisingly grounding. Normally, I gravitate towards firm massages that work out knots, but this gentle, brush-led ritual was pure escapism. The rhythm, the texture, the scents - everything lulled me into a dreamlike state.
SPOT OF LUNCH?
Spa goers can enjoy a two-course meal en-robe; you’ll find several tables with grey and yellow chairs located just beyond the reception desk. Choose from a small menu of starters, salads, pasta dishes and puddings.
For starters, we had the Meatballs al Forno, while our spa partner opted for the Tomato Bruschetta, declaring it: ‘the best they had ever had’.
For mains, we went opted for the Goat’s Cheese Flatbread topped with caramelised onions, while our spa partner chose the Arrabbiata with chicken. Each dish was beautifully presented, colourful and full of flavour.
GOT ALL DAY?
After a full spa day with lunch and a treatment, dine at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, The London Carriageworks, before checking into one of their light-filled suites.
SHORT ON TIME?
A quick circuit of the thermal facilities followed by a treatment is still more than enough to hit reset. We’ve visited Hope Street Hotel Spa a few times now and this Spa Spy has never left disappointed.
Good Spa Guide
7th November 2025
