Dolby Hotel Liverpool

I booked the Dolby online as I needed a budget hotel near to the town centre with car parking. You know when the hotel entrance has a buzzer system (even during the daytime) and the rooms have chains and double locks on the door that they might experience problems sometimes. Situated near to Albert Dock next to a casino, there is a reasonable view out onto the water from the rear of the hotel. Generally very poor decor, tiny bathroom, absolutely no frills whatsoever and, in my case, a disturbed night's sleep due to rowdy guests knocking on doors and shouting. If you want a budget hotel in the vicinity try the Ibis or Formula 1 a few hundred yards down the road. Staff were friendly enough, but seemed to be watchful.

No value for money... Ok, so it has riverside views- so what?? Bunk beds?? Bathroom smaller than a closet?? Not worth the £45 I paid... Not even worth £30... What a rip off... Avoid!!!!!!! Book the Premier Travel Inn Albert Dock in advance for just a few quid more...

The stench of grease on entering this place was ominous. Customer service was also classic Liverpool: "Yer credit card's no good" . "But hang on, that's what I used to guarantee the room". "Nah, we don't accept American Express". Manager scuttles away at the first hint of a problem, leaving the hapless, nay gormless, receptionist to deal. Not exactly expecting the Ritz for £41 but room is small and smelly and the "bathroom" a joke. At least there are 3 'free' biscuits. Feel really sorry for the overseas visitors queuing to check in as I set off for the adventure through Blade Runner country to the city centre.

On entering the Hotel the staff appeared very helpful and pleasant, only when we arrived in our room did we realise that they were probably laughing at us behind our backs. The previous guest who stayed in our room must have been an 80-year old with an incontinent issue, although after reading other reviews it would seem the whole hotel smells like this. After cracking a few windows to release as much of the smell as possible from the room I was then greeted by what appeared to be a bunkbed, which was about 3cm's from the ceiling. I decided to try it out, but had major problems dismounting (please see fig. 1). I had the unfortunate pleasure of sleeping this bed for the evening, but at least I didn't have too worry too much about injuring my head on the ceiling as it was made from a cereal box - I'm sure Tony the Tiger was looking down and laughing. I went to put my clothes into a wardrobe but this appeared to be the Bathroom? This is when we found out where the awful smell was coming from. The toilets at Lime Street station were more welcoming than those of this room. I had to stand in the shower to aim, and I am not boasting about this. Fortunately I was wise enough to stay clear of using the shower, having to stand in it whilst using the toilet was more than a frightening experience without having to wash in it. We did ask for towels before we realised what the shower looked like, when they arrived after several hours we were more than surprised to learn that we was sharing them with the rest of the Hotel. Realising we had to make a quick escape from the hotel we asked reception for directions to the City centre. They informed us of the directions and that it was a short walk and almost refused to order us a taxi. After walking what seemed like The Great North Run and passing several nice hotels (I think they was rubbing salt into the wound) we finally arrived in the City. On the return journey we felt like Lambs to the Slaughter having to return. After returning from a night out from a Football match we decided to have a drink in the bar. The staff seemed pleaseant, but uncannily resembled two members of The Beatles. I am led to believe that they reside in this Hotel, as it looks like it's been a while since they last washed. Everything appeared to be going well until we wanted another drink, when we realised Ringo Starr had locked himself out of the hotel and we had to let him back in. The kettle certainly had seen better days, I think I would have preffered to drink from the shower - but the biscuits went down well...when I flushed them down the toilet, which reappeared at breakfast several hours later. I will admit it is probably the cheapest hotel in Liverpool, as it cost about £40 for 3 people per night. The money is soon lost though, as it costs £2 in a taxi to get out of the car park (plus the drivers danger money for entering it, I'm sure I heard a driver snigger when we told him we were going to the Dolby).

I found myself staying in Liverpool on the night of a match, so accommodation was thin on the ground. I had heard the Dolby was good value for money so I booked a room for my friend and I. What a terrible 'hotel' this is. Where do I start? First of all, the location. It's a bit of a trek into the city centre, certainly not the 'five minute walk' I was advised of on the phone. Our room was tiny, and very unclean. There was chewing gum on the carpet and hairs in the shower. As for the beds... when I book a twin room, I don't think its unreasonable to expect two single beds. Not a bunk bed! I took the top, and I barely had any room to move, its so close to the ceiling. And those awful metal bars make it very uncomfortable to climb down. The staff at reception were very rude and unhelpful, though we did chat to some other staff who were very pleasant. Overall, this is a pathetic excuse for a hotel and is best avoided. You'll pay less for the Travel Inn which is ten times nicer

Hotel is situated on one of the best places near the mersey river and a 10 min. walk from the Beatles museum.Room is clean, very good bathroom just like on a cruise ship small but everyting in it!We got a double bed just like we paid for!Very helpfull and nice people working there.

This hotel, was a nightmare! It cost approx £60 for 1 night. On arrival we were not allowed to check in early and were nearly made to pay twice for the room. On entering our room we found it not to be a twin like we had asked for but a set of bunk beds. The room was small and the bathroom a cupboard! There was no bath and only a shower which you could only stand in. There certainly was not enough room to even turn round. the walls were paper thin and even at 6.30am we could still here people in the corridors. A very expensive room for what i would call hostel accomodation. Thankly it was only the 1 night we were staying for. Would advise to stay clear of this hotel at all costs!

We stayed in the Dolby Hotel in February this year when we stayed in Liverpool for a football match. When we arrived we were both very pleased with our room, although the room was small it was clean and tidy and had a bed, wardrobe, tv and tea/coffee making facilities. the shower is very small but it works and thats all we wanted!! We stayed at the Dolby for three nights and had no problems any night with noise from other guests. The only disadvantage of the dolby is the fact that you have to get a taxi into the town centre, it might b worth paying a little extra for a hotel in the town centre if your staying for a few days. Otherwise we would definatly stay again!!

I unfortunately only found out about Trip Advisor once I had stayed 3 nights at the Dolby Hotel. A colleague staying in a better class of accommodation for the same 3 nights began to feel sympathy at my increasingly haggard deportment over the couple of days while we were doing business in Liverpool. She recommended never to book a hotel again without consulting Trip Advisor. Most reviewers, especially those awarding one star, have got it spot on in their assessment. The Dolby has in a past incarnation been an old people’s home or perhaps a borstal. I've stayed in hotels all over the world and have never experienced anything remotely like the Dolby. How any guest could award 4 or 5 stars in their review really does beggar belief. Fortunately, the one star reviews give a fair and honest reflection of what you can expect to find. The Dolby Hotel really is a nasty and shocking experience to the system. It is incredibly noisy at all hours, has grubby and dreary interiors, a bathroom designed straight from a prison and food familiar to those who have served time in a borstal. A a couple of nights in Dolby would break even the most hardened terrorist! The hotels website portrays Sky TV and internet access - quite hard believe when there is not a telephone in your room. Sky TV you have to share with the other guests in the smoky dining room who have also discovered the lack of proper Sky TV in their rooms. The Dolby is best avoided at all costs. For a tenner more you'll get a hotel in the city centre and live in comparative luxury.

I stayed in Liverpool recently at the Dolby and must express my extreme dissatisfaction at this miserable place. Some other reviews make great claims about the cheap price but this is misleading. I had originally booked at a cheap price, about £42, but adding an extra day changed the price and it seems if you stay while there is a football match in Liverpool you pay almost £55 per night. Of course I was never told that my 2 night stay would now be charged at a higher rate. The lounge/dining room is a depressing place and does not cater for non-smokers. The rooms are quite miserable and are not spacious enough. The bathroom is a joke and the shower barely adequate. I was awoken several times on each night and honestly thought I had a burgalar or a ghost in the my room. The walls are "tissue-paper" thin so little separates each room so the noise is loud. I believe the hotel is targetting elderly people who don't mind living 3 to a room and can't really hear how noisy it actually is. Best to avoid and get a decent room in the City Centre.