With a title like that you could be under the impression that I was getting up to shenanigans in Liverpool.

Well, I can truthfully admit that I spent the night in a very swanky hotel with a gorgeous male specimen.

Of course, it was Theodore my Chow-Chow.

Floofy Boy

So, how did I come to be in a hotel room with my floofy doggo?

I needed to be in the aware for a work meeting which started at 0800 on a Thursday morning. As I live a 3+ hour drive from Liverpool, I was not going to leave home at four in the morning so decided I would look at staying overnight.

Theodore was part of the meeting, so I needed a hotel that was dog friendly. I started wilfing about on the internet trying to find a nice hotel that was good with dogs.

Now that I have reached the age of 50, I prefer to go to boutique type hotels, rather than the cheap and cheerful chain hotels. There is nothing wrong with them, but I like different and so I narrowed it down to four hotels on the short list.

Comfortable for the Journey

The first one was “The Halyard”. Based in central Liverpool, this was a IHG brand hotel and dog friendly.

I could see only one drawback and that was no parking on-site. This could be a make or break situation, given that I had luggage, a dog and a wheelchair.

Checking the other three, I found out that none of them had parking on-site so I decided to call them in order to see how far the parking was and if someone would be able to get the luggage from the car and into the hotel whilst I went and parked the car.

Ringing The Halyard, I was answered by a lovely lady called Victoria.

I explained my situation and asked if it would be possible to have someone get the luggage and take it into the hotel so I could go and park the car, before wheeling it back with Theodore.

Victoria not only told me this was more than possible, in fact, if I rang when I was around five minutes away, they would get the Concierge to come out, get the cases AND also the dog and keep them safe whilst I drove to the car park which was a six minute walk away.

I explained that Theodore was a mental health wellbeing dog and I was taking him to a meeting the following day.

Victoria told me that not only were dogs more than welcome, they had a special member of staff with the title of “Head of Happiness” who happened to be a dog called Charlie.

Well, that completely sold me. I didn’t even bother ringing the other hotels up!

Booking the hotel for one night, I was looking forward to arriving and seeing if it lived up to its photographs online.

Leaving home at 2pm, I arrived in Liverpool just after five o’clock. I rang the hotel when a few minutes away, and they confirmed the Concierge would be outside waiting.

The Boy Himself

True to their word, a lovely man called Ronnie was waiting outside for the car to pull up. He was so warm and welcoming and told me not only where the parking was, but also it would be cheaper if I prepaid on their app.

I quickly organised the parking and Ronnie gave me detailed directions on where to go and he took Theodores leash and led him into The Halyard.

The parking was literally a two minute drive and I found it very easily. Getting the wheelchair out, I trundled back to the hotel, past some fantastic, quirky looking bars and restaurants. I might take a look at them later when it was time for dinner.

Lovely View

I made my way through the front doors and was hit by the most beautiful smell. It was absolutely captivating.

Finding the reception desk, I saw Theodore lying on the floor being given treats and lots of fuss. He was in his element and so was I.

Ronnie said he would escort me to my room and took hold of Theodore, whilst I motored along in my chair.

What A Bed!

The room that had been reserved was on the third floor and as I left the lift, a heavenly scent hit me. I mentioned it and Ronnie told me that the hotel used Temple Spa products and that was why it smelt so good.

Opening the door, I could see a huge bed covered in white bedding. Ronnie brought Theodore in and started to show me the facilities. It was completely accessible for me.

There was a huge wet room with Temple Spa toiletries and also a seperate sink area with a large mirror for doing your make-up. A fancy caged section housed robes and slippers, next to a small fridge filled with plain and flavoured water.

Very Spacious

On the side was a handwritten postcard from Victoria. It was to welcome Theodore and I to the hotel. Next to it was a selection of treats; Halyard Gin, Botanical tonic, a box of fudge, dog treats and a tennis ball.

What a welcome!

The room was beautiful and I was admittedly a bit tired. I could tell Theodore felt the same, so I cranked the air-conditioner as low as it would go, and lay on the dream like bed for an hour.

Separate Wash Area

I was clearly right about Theodore as he lay on the tiled floor and snored his little head off.

The alarm went off and we both struggled to get up, but there was food to be had and I fancied a little mooch around with the boy. It was then that I realised I had left the charging cable for my wheelchair in the back of the car.

Well, that would be the mooch around taken care of.

What A Space!

I headed back towards the car and had a decent look at the bars and eateries around me. They were numerous and quite quirky, and seemed very popular with people sat on tables and chairs outside.

Passing by a huge metal structure made of coloured poles and balls of various colours, I had to wonder what it was and why it was there.

I later found out that it was a monument created by a Brazilian sculptor called Jorge Pardo to celebrate the Biennial. The sculpture is named “Penelope” after a character in Homers’ Odyssey.

Excellent Facilities

It is absolutely massive and I was quite impressed.

Two minutes later and I was at the car park, so I collected my charger and Theodore and I walked back the way we had come.

We ended up near to one of the bars when a lovely lady stopped me and commented on the dog. We ended up talking for about 15 minutes; travel, adventures, social media, adult children but most of all, about Theodore.

Such A Warm Welcome

Getting back to the hotel, I headed to the bar/restaurant where I was allowed to go in with Theodore. A lovely young lady came over to assist me and gave me a choice of two menus.

To be honest, it all sounded so good, but I opted for the small plate option. There was a recommendation that most people order 2-3 plates per person so I decided to go with three, as I had about seven I like the look of, to choose from.

Seared Chorizo, Shredded Duck Croquettes and Belly Bacon Satay were the options I ordered.

What A Treat!

The first two plates came quickly; the croquettes and the chorizo. I have to say they were MUCH bigger than I anticipated.

Starting with the croquettes, there were two large portions, golden and crispy with a creamy béchamel style sauce wrapped around huge chunks of duck, It was absolutely delicious and I couldn’t get enough.

The chorizo was hot and had a good level of spice and there was a LOT of  it. I roughly estimate around twelve mini chorizo in the portion and I was starting to get very full.

Beautifully Presented

It was around ten minutes later that the belly bacon was brought out. This was also a lot larger than I expected; a long slab of belly, on a satay base with a shredded vegetable garnish

It was hot and fatty (in a good way) and I was in food heaven. The satay had a good kick to it and the vegetables gave a soothing respite.

All too soon every plate was emptied and I was absolutely stuffed. I couldn’t manage another morsel, so sat reading my book accompanied by a marvellous grapefruit based mocktail.

Looking Forward To Trying This Out

Around an hour later I had made a small gap in my tummy and I decided to peruse the dessert menu, well it would be rude not to, right?

One apple and cinnamon choux bun ordered.

I should have known that it would be much  larger than I expected. Because it was!

Ready For Dinner

Huge, in fact and I knew that there was no way I could manage the whole thing.

I tried my best, but managed to only get through around a half of the dessert as it was very filling. Sweet, but not cloying, full of flavour but not overly cinnamon based.

The fact that I had to leave half, was disappointing as it was so good, but I just couldn’t manage any more.

Mocktail Time

Asking for the bill, I was surprised to see the whole dinner and drinks came to less than £38. Apparently you get 25% off as a hotel guest, which was a bigger bonus.

Theodore and I went up to the third floor and entered out beautiful room.

Hitting the accessible shower, I was spoilt by the Temple Spa toiletries, and a cup of Earl Grey tea, before getting into bed. It was even better than I thought, as I had only napped on the top of the bed earlier.

The First Two Plates

Sliding into the crisp white linens and pulling the light as a feather, yet thoroughly snuggly duvet over me, the room was pitch black and I sunk into sleep.

My alarm was set for 0500 as I needed to get ready before heading down to the breakfast I had pre-paid for.

Unfortunately this was not to happen.

Beautiful Belly Bacon

The alarm went off, however the bed was so divine, I had to choose between breakfast or another hour in bed.

The bed won it, hands down.

I re-woke up from the most comfortable and best night sleep I had managed in several years. My knee leaves me struggling every night, tossing and turning with pain and discomfort, yet this bed and its bedding had cradled me like a baby and I had slept undisturbed all night.

Apple And Cinnamon Choux Bun

Deciding to take another quick shower, Theodore continued snoring all around me, as I got dressed and packed my items. At around 0715 I went downstairs to leave for my appointment.

Again I was assisted with my luggage and Theodore, whilst I went to get the car, before my luggage was stored in the vehicle and I was off to St. Helens.

There was nothing that I could fault about The Halyard. Everything from the pre-booking information, to the assistance given, the quality of the room, the food in the bar/restaurant and most of the all staff was exemplary and I loved the very short time I had stayed within.

Theodore Seemed To Like It Too!

In fact I am planning a return visit already; especially for another night in that wonderful bed!

If you are intending to be in Liverpool for any reason, a stay at The Halyard is highly, highly recommended.

And you never know, you might see a plus size adventurer, in a wheelchair with a floofy dog there too!

Till next time,

SPSG xxx