The great thing about the Gladstone is its location. It is situated right behind Lime Street station. Head for the taxi rank, turn right up the hill, and within 100 yards or so you are at the hotel front door. It could not be easier. And, as I pointed out in the overview, if you ever need a cab you have the largest rank in the city on your doorstep. The Victorians had a thing about hotels by railway stations (the magnificent St. Pancras for example) but this idea seems to have gone out of fashion. For those of us who travel by train, this is a great shame.
Right now the Gladstone is sadly shabby. The paint is chipped, the wallpaper peeling, the carpets stained and the upholstery ripped. It looks bad. But the bed linen is clean and (unlike several London hotels I have stayed in) there are no vermin. What is more, the facilities are good. My room was pleasantly large. It had a TV, coffee-making facilities, a hair drier, iron and ironing board. There were tissues and all the usual little bottles in the bathroom. In other words, it gave me pretty much everything I needed. All it needs is a bit of decorating.
And that, it appears, is what it is going to get. In the foyer there was a large display showing plans for a complete revamp of the hotel, including redecoration, exterior makeover and a basement pool. Of course they will probably increase their prices quite substantially to pay for all this, but it will be good to see, I think.
The hotel food is OK. I have had a lot better, but also a lot worse. My advice would be to have croissants and coffee for breakfast and to eat out. Liverpool does have some good restaurants, and I''m sorry I didn''t have time to try more of those I was recommended.
And finally, a pat on the back for the concierges. Liverpudlians have a reputation for being friendly and proud of their home. These guys fitted the bill perfectly. I would go back to the hotel just for them.