A group of 10 (5 couples) have just returned from a great weekend in Liverpool - staying in the Marriott city centre. We were celebrating my brother-in-law's 40th birthday and four of the group were taking in the Liverpool v Sheffield United game.

We were booked on the red-eye flight (6.10am) on the Friday from Dublin and given that we were going to be at the hotel by 8am, I decided to request an "unguaranteed" early check-in. Be warned that a "guaranteed" early check-in involves paying the cost of an extra night's accommodation.

We arrived at the hotel around 8am where to our amazement and great joy, all 5 couples were promptly checked in by a very cheerful receptionist who was only too pleased to engage us in friendly football banter (he was an Evertonian!) The rooms were large, bright and very clean..there was ample room for the two double beds provided and might I say that they were the comfiest hotel beds that I've ever slept in.

Breakfast is very nice with quite a varied selection available - check out the cumberland sausages...delicious!

Bill, the concierge is great crack and very good at what he does - he was a font of knowledge and even tried to get us extra tickets for Anfield.

The location of the Marriott is perfect with plenty of bars and restaurants right on your doorstep...which is probably just as well as the bar in the hotel is on the small side.

All the staff we came across were friendly and helpful - most of them seem to be locals which gives a nice homely feel to the place.

All in all, if you are planning a trip to Liverpool, look no further than the Marriott..it's not cheap, but isn't that much more expensive than competing hotels e.g. Holiday Inn, Adelphi, Thistle etc..We left the hotel with a feel-good factor which rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable weekend in Liverpool.

Just one note of caution, Liverpool is gearing itself up as the European City of Culture for 2008 - many of the roads are being renovated at the moment, so driving around the city will probably be a hassle for the next few months. For pedestrians, all the footpaths are fine.

I just spent 2 nights in the marriott city centre hotel. It had a great location close to all the night life and shops and within walking distance of the train station. The staff were very helpfull full marks to them The breakfast was excellent from smoked salmon to freshly cooked waffles and every thing you could think of. I would recommend this as a great hotel in a good location. It also had a leisure centre which we did not use as we did not have time but it looked lovely

myself, my husband and 9 month old son booked this hotel for 1 night with a simple plan. We would get settled in the room, my husband would than go to everton V blackburn game , and I could relax and our son could have his nap and then I would take him to the pool, at a cost of €160. This did not happen.

We all arrived at 12.30 in the hotel to be informed it would be 2 or 2.30 b4 we could check in. We asked was it possible to check in earlier, so we could get the child changed etc, "No, we have a number of people before U! You can leave your bags over there and wait in lounge" was the reply. We were also informed that there was no water, so leisure centre was closed (water off since 6am). We tried again at 2 o clock, still no rooms. My husband left at 2.15 and I went over to the shopping centre. When I came back at 2.45, i had lost ticket for bags, Baby had not slept, I felt shitty, and tried to check in. When I said my name i could find tears, and was suddenly given a room, and baby cot would be moved. We went to bar for food, and got a babyseat without a table, than after asking for a table for it , we got a seat with no safety harness with a table, but that near collapsed when he moved so we put him back in seat 1. (they found a table that fitted it then).

Pool next morning, staff very helpful, used baby changing facilities, but no safety belt on table. had baby safety ring for pool which had broke so was providied with another.

I think hotel is training the most of the staff in customer care, but would need to look at the baby facilities and other safety items that provide, and decide if they are up to standard. I found most of the staff OK, if they listened to what you asked and thought about what you were asking. eg a Mashed Potatoe and gravy for the baby, what i got was onion gravy and Creamed potatoe with scallions, even know I thought i have all the scallions avoided, my son choked and got sick"

we were not at all satisified with our stay and would advise others with a baby to stay elsewhere which is what we will b doing the next time we visit liverpool. Staff were concerned that i was upset, and wanted to help, but it did not change the bill or the fact that when we checked out at 10 this morning the cleaners had a number of rooms on our floor cleaned and available and there was quite a few checking out.

before our wee babby was born probably a lot of these things would not have mattered like what time we got a room. With a child paying €160 or £104 it's important that the wait is short.

We chose this hotel because of its close proximity to Lime Street Station and the City Centre and stayed on a Friday night in November 2006.

We got the £99 weekend rate which included breakfast, although this wasn't made clear to us when booking or when we checked in. Otherwise the reception staff couldn't have been more helpful - there was some confusion with our booking and even let us check in early.

Once we got to our room (we were at the back of the hotel) we were very impressed by it - nice and big with complimentary drinks tray and a large bathroom too.

However, it was the beds that impressed us the most. It was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in including my own.

We did not suffer with people shouting in the corridors during the night although you could hear doors being slammed.

I would definitely stay here again.