Dodge the airport chaos and have a staycation in or around Liverpool City Region instead

The promise of a fortnight on a sun-soaked beach is looking a little less appealing when we contemplate the thought of baggage battles and security queues to get to it.

There have been no reports of major issues with Liverpool John Lennon Airport so that might be your best bet if you’re still set on getting your cossie on by the pool and sipping pina coladas with your latest page-turner.

But if you’re starting to buckle and ground any thoughts on flights far afield, you might want to consider holidaying closer to home.

You don’t have to wander too far away to enjoy a relaxing break, get in a spot of sight-seeing or indulge in a pampering session – or several – with a fabulous staycation …

Your own luxury apartment at iStay Liverpool

Not so much one hotel, but six sets of chic apartments and party pads spread across the city centre, they come with fully-equipped kitchens, spacious living areas and everything you need for a superb break. From Temple Court near the Cavern Quarter to iStay’s Maison Townhouse in Rodney Street which sleeps up to 40 guests (ideal for everyone in the family) you’re close to city sights from Mathew Street to the Pier Head, the Albert Dock and more, and near all the shops, cafes, restaurants and nightlife too.

More info here.

Southport (Bliss)

We all love to be beside the seaside, and in Southport there’s plenty of it – it’s the largest seaside town in Merseyside! There’s loads to see and do there too from the fabulous new Southport market, the beach and the Victorian Pier, as well as the shops, Southport Pleasureland and Kings Gardens.  That’s not forgetting the Marine Lake, home to great green spaces and watersports, and to one of the resort’s latest luxury hotels. Bliss Hotel is the former Ramada Plaza that’s been given an amazing refurb with glorious rooms overlooking the fabulous coast, one of the town’s best restaurants and bars, and a stunning rooftop garden where you can sip a G&T while you watch the setting sun.

More info here.

Chester Grosvenor

If you’re fancying a bit of elegance and old-world charm, you can’t beat Chester’s landmark and Grade II listed hotel. Owned by the Duke of Westminster, the Chester Grosvenor’s in the heart of this historic Roman city, just a short walk from the River and all its attractions and ideal if you want to wander along the famous walls. The hotel itself has the most fab rooms and suites, refined dining at its Arkle Restaurant as well as its Brasserie where the Champagne bar takes centre stage, and it’s THE place for afternoon tea! And, if it is relaxation you’re after, its spa is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and soothe your spirit.

More info here.

Formby Hall

Whether you’re looking to relax in the spa or lounge around the swimming pool; work up a sweat in its Leisure Club or enjoy a round of golf on one of its championship courses, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is one for your list. As staycation destinations go, it’s a brilliant base from which to do all of the above, or explore further afield from the area’s beaches and pinewoods to quaint villages with tea shops and boutiques galore. There are great walks around the grounds too.

More info here.

Make a night of it at the M&S Bank Arena and Pullman Hotel

Who says you have to go away for weeks on end? A change is as good as a rest so why not treat yourself to your favourite artist at the M&S Bank Arena – Christina Aguilera, comedian Jimmy Carr and Andrea Bocelli are just some of the amazing acts there this summer – and, instead of racing home, enjoy a night in the Pullman Liverpool Hotel just a short walk away. You can get your head down, wake up on the waterfront – the fabulous views of the Albert Dock and the Liverpool Wheel alone make it worth a visit – and, after breakfast, explore the city. 

More info here.

Carden Park

Set in glorious grounds in the heart of Cheshire, Carden Park offers great golfing breaks with not one, but two, golf courses, spa stay experiences, and the chance to wine and dine in its two restaurants and two bars.  With a gym and £10 million five-star spa, there’s little it doesn’t have to ensure the best of breaks including Rosette-awarded dining and activities for adults and children. It’s got Summer Escapes and Summer Spa offers, as well as local attraction breaks being close to Chester Zoo, The Ice Cream Farm and Blue Planet Aquarium, as well as Chester itself. 

More info here.

Thornton Hall Hotel

You can find this beauty in gorgeous grounds in Thornton Hough on the Wirral.  Thornton Hall Hotel offers somewhere to unwind and relax in its lovely spa, or where you can treat yourself to an indulgent stay with dinner in the new Lawns Grill Restaurant or the Brasserie. You can combine your stay with a trip to Chester Zoo or Anfield Stadium, or splurge on a visit to nearby Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village. Girlie getaways can benefit from the hotel’s Grand Club Bedrooms which sleep four so you can all be together, and golfers can tee off at the prestigious Heswall Golf Club.

More info here.

Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Titanic Hotel Liverpool might be a modern hotel but its history goes back to when the city’s port was the most important in the world; and it’s a perfect accommodation option for those looking for comfort and luxury. It’s within walking distance of Liverpool City centre and its main amenities and attractions (like the Liver Building’s new 360 Tour), and, of course, you could just unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of the hotel’s waterfront location, its theatre style restaurant Stanley’s Bar & Grill or, if you are looking for the ultimate relaxing getaway, a retreat at Maya Blue Wellness, its own subterranean sanctuary! 

More info here.

Go blue at the Dixie Dean

Evertonians will be in seventh heaven soaking up a sea of blue in the Victoria Street hotel, which is a legacy to the legendary, record breaking goalscorer. But it’s not just football supporters who’ll love the memorabilia on the walls and the chance to pay homage to a Blue idol, all guests in search of a unique stay in a beautifully restored building will love it here. It’s obviously placed well for footie supporters but it’s also only a short walk from theatres (and Lime Street) and the rest of the city centre for the perfect Liverpool break. 

More info here.

Hotel Indigo for the perfect city centre break

The Chapel Street boutique hotel’s fab and funky, with bold splashes of colour making it stand out from the crowd. It’s in a great place for sight-seeing, right in the middle of the Albert Dock and the Waterfront, and the shops and Mathew Street. Packed with comfort – there are superb spa bathrooms – it’s also got a 24-hour gym, a plush Cotton Lounge cocktail bar, and to top it all off, the legendary Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill, which puts the food offering right at the top of the scale.

More info here.

Ribby Hall Hotel

Between Preston and Blackpool, Ribby Hall Hotel is an adult-only escape set in more than 100 acres of beautiful Lancashire countryside. The focus is firmly on relaxation with its fantastic spa and aqua thermal journey, and its award-winning fine dining restaurant, The Orangery. (It also has a Champagne bar with the full Laurent Perrier Champagne product portfolio which’ll definitely add a bit of a fizz to your break). It’s also set in gorgeous grounds that are ideal for a pre-dinner or pre-spa stroll.

More info here.

Boutique chic at Lock & Key

The Sunday Times put this gorgeous little hotel in the top 100 UK hotels with an outstanding reference to its heart and stand-out service. The Grade II listed Georgian townhouse hotel is in a prime location just 50 metres away from Liverpool One and a 10-minute walk from the Albert Dock, Beatles Story, the Wheel and the Wild Shore aqua park. Its bar has a collection of must-try cocktails whether you’re staying in or heading into town and with loads of great reviews about its friendly service, plush design and value for money, it’s one of the best-kept city secrets (so don’t tell everyone!).

More info here.

Explore the Baltic with the Baltic Hotel

The first hotel in the brilliant Baltic Triangle it looks like New York’s Flat Iron building. The walls of its rooms are adorned with music memorabilia, and they’re completed in the style and tech stakes with fully-stocked Marshall speaker mini-bars and interactive tablet controls (they’ve even got Peloton bikes installed in some spaces). It’s on the doorstep of the Baltic so you can discover all its bars, restaurants and great galleries, and the Jamaica Street hotel’s also got its own Duck & Swagger pub, and Shoreditch-style restaurant, The Baltic Brasserie. 

More info here.