BEATLES INSPIRED HOTEL PRESS KIT Hard Days Night Hotel, Central Building, North John Street, Liverpool, L2 6RR +44 (0) 151 236 1964 www.harddaysnighthotel.com Follow us on: Welcome 2008 – 2018, celebrating ten fabulous years of being the world’s only Beatles inspired hotel. Located in the heart of the Cavern Quarter in Liverpool. Featuring Beatles artwork throughout, the four-star, hotel pays homage to the Fab Four and their musical legacy. Concept and Design The concept of a Beatles-inspired hotel has been prevalent in Liverpool and amongst Beatles enthusiasts for over two decades. 2004 saw the dream become a reality as plans were finalised to convert Central Buildings into the Hard Days Night Hotel. When the stunning Grade II listed hotel opened on 1st February 2008 to coincide with Liverpool’s tenure as the 2008 Capital of Culture, the objective was to create a unique environment offering high-quality hotel facilities with an exciting and interesting ‘twist’. The hotel features exclusive Beatles artwork by world-renowned artists with close association to the band, including Shannon, Paul Ygartua, Julia Baird, and Klaus Voorman. Previously unseen archived photographs of the band, including those taken by Fleet Street photographer Bill Zygmant and Paul Saltzman, adorn the walls of the hotel along with items of Beatles memorabilia placed throughout the public areas. Each one of the hotel’s 110 guest bedrooms displays a unique piece of striking artwork each telling a different part of the Beatles story. Photographs from the early 60s until present day are displayed along the grand central staircase from the basement to the roof of the hotel, often considered one of the hotel’s most spectacular features. Find out more about the Hard Days Night Hotel’s fabulous artwork along with the background to the production and the artist Shannon: http://theharddaysnighthotel.com Deluxe Guest Rooms Deluxe guest rooms have been tastefully designed around the contours and character of the original hotel building. Rooms feature exclusive Beatles artwork by Shannon, integrated into large leather headboards above each bed. Each room has a stylish, contemporary decor, incorporating LCD interactive television with on-demand films and music channels, as well as free wi-fi and high speed cabled internet connection. Deluxe guest bedrooms benefit from two armchairs, desk, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, mineral water, bath with separate free standing monsoon rain shower, sumptuous bathrobes, slippers, toiletries and a minibar. Some of the deluxe rooms are situated in the rooftop extension and offer stunning views of the Liverpool skyline from their private balconies. These can be requested for a small supplement. Luxury Guest Rooms Luxury guest rooms also feature exclusive artwork by world-renowned Beatles artist Shannon, and incorporate the majority of amenities included in a Deluxe guest room, without the free standing shower, extra armchair and minibar. Showcasing their own individual design, the luxury guest rooms perfectly combine contemporary elements with home comforts for the ultimate relaxing retreat. All guest bedrooms at Hard Days Night Hotel feature Hypnos beds, often considered to be ‘the most comfortable beds in the world’. McCartney Suite The McCartney suite on the fifth floor is a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney. The stylish suite has a modern, funky décor with a vibrant colour scheme. The living area comprises a desk, sofas, coffee table, chaise-longue, a suit of armour paying homage to Sir Paul’s knighthood, and a sliding door leading to a generous balcony. The suite also features numerous pieces of stunning artwork and artefact’s, such as Sir Paul McCartney’s certificate of Freedom of the City of Liverpool. The contemporary bathroom contains two sinks, bath, shower and toilet. The bedroom is furnished with a double bed, large metallic floor lamp and plasma screen television, with one entire wall featuring a collage of McCartney newspaper stories. Lennon Suite The Lennon suite, situated on the fourth floor of the hotel, pays homage to John Lennon. The light, airy suite has a clean, minimalist décor with a white colour scheme. The living area comprises a desk, sofas, coffee table, white baby grand piano, two large prints of John Lennon illuminated in ultraviolet by a stage light, numerous artifacts and a sliding door leading to a generous balcony. The contemporary bathroom contains two sinks, bath, shower and toilet. The bedroom is furnished with a double bed, large metallic floor lamp and plasma screen television mounted into built in wardrobes. Blakes Restaurant Blakes Restaurant, situated inside the critically acclaimed Hard Days Night Hotel, is named after the Godfather of British pop art Sir Peter Blake who is famed for his iconic design of the sleeve cover of Beatles album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Located on the ground floor of the hotel, Blakes has its own separate entrance for non-residents and is adorned with artwork by Sir Peter Blake, including a centrepiece frieze display of the icons on his record sleeve. Reportedly Sir Peter Blake asked the band to list the people who had most inspired them. Whilst John Lennon and Paul McCartney came up with the most ideas, George Harrison chose people with Indian connections and Ringo said he’d “go with the flow”. The 74 cover restaurant also features four oversized lampshades – the décor, in keeping with the rest of the hotel, is modern, simple, light and chic. The menu, designed by the celebrated team of chefs at Blakes, features traditional British dishes with a contemporary twist. All of the dishes are created using fresh, wholesome and, wherever possible, locally sourced produce. Bar Four Situated on the ground floor of the hotel is Bar Four, a destination cocktail bar open to both hotel residents and non-residents. Clad in mahogany wood panelling, Bar Four gives the impression of a gentleman’s club. Ornate black chandeliers, black voile window treatments and sumptuous wingback leather armchairs add to the relaxing upmarket, sophisticated ambiance. Bar Four also exhibits original, never seen before artwork by local artist Paul Ygartua who attended Liverpool Art College with John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia Powell. The four oil paintings on canvas, each in a contemporary jazz style, depict each of The Beatles with their instruments. Central to Bar Four is its extensive cocktail list. House specialities include Strawberry Fields with Pepper – strawberries crushed together with fresh lemon, thyme and sugar syrup shaken together with Grey Goose Vodka infused with grass (from Strawberry Fields in Liverpool), garnished with a grind of pepper and Lasse Get Back – smooth yoghurt, pureed mango, fresh cucumber and pressed apple juice shaken with sugar syrup and Grey Goose vodka over ice and served with fresh almonds. The cocktail list includes Martinis, Champagne cocktails and a ‘tall drinks’ menu. All cocktails are made using the finest spirits and fresh fruit. Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday until late Capacity: 74 The Lounge The Lounge is situated at the heart of the hotel and has been designed with a bold and retro décor. It forms part of the ‘inner sanctum’ along with its bar, the reception area and the lift area. With its cosmopolitan and vibrant atmosphere, the lounge provides the perfect location for guests to unwind, relax and enjoy a light snack or an afternoon tea whilst enjoying songs from the Beatles extensive back- catalogue playing in the background. The Lounge also features stunning Beatles artwork and is also the location of one of the hotel’s ‘must see’ images. Taken on Childwall Fiveways, the image captures some of the Merseybeat groups of the 60s, including the Fab Four themselves. It also features artefacts, pictures, books, and poems from those who were actually part of the Beatles’ story. Contributions have been made from Yoko Ono, Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe, Linda McCartney, Jurgen Vollmer, Klaus Voorman and of course John, Paul, George and Ringo. Hari’s Bar Hari’s Bar is located on the lower ground floor of the hotel and has an Indian theme, reflecting the time The Beatles spent in Rishikesh where they meditated with the Maharishi. The Beatles’ time in India is considered one of the most creative capsules of time in the band’s illustrious history. During this period, they wrote 48 songs in less than eight weeks. Hari’s Bar is a quiet and atmospheric place for guests to go for a quiet drink away from the main buzz of the hotel, and is available for private hire. Featuring five original images from photographer Paul Saltzman, Hari’s Bar focuses mainly on George Harrison who took much of the Indian influence with him throughout the rest of his life. Saltzman was also meditating in Rishikesh when The Beatles were there. Additional artwork decorates the walls with an image from 1960s Fleet Street photographer Bill Zygmant as well as Indian photographs taken by Julia Baird (John Lennon’s sister). Cases have Indian artefacts within them that are also specifically relevant to George. Sample Packages The hotel offers a range of bespoke packages to enhance guest’s Beatles experience in Liverpool. ‘Beatles Tribute Thursdays’ are ideal for those who love live music and The Beatles, and include free entry to The Cavern Club to watch a Beatles Tribute Band, seats on the Magical Mystery Tour and bed and breakfast at Hard Days Night. Visit the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney with the National Trust Lennon and McCartney Childhood Homes Tour. Hard Days Night Hotel have teamed up with the National Trust to offer bespoke tours of Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road, with the package including transport and a luxury stay at Hard Days Night Hotel.