LIVERPOOL’S newest £14m boutique hotel has opened in the heart of clubland.

Base2Stay Liverpool, a 106-room boutique hotel in Seel Street, is in the RopeWalks district.

The hotel’s historic building, dating from the 1850s, was redeveloped but has retained many of its heritage features, including original timbers and brickwork.

Base2Stay arrived in Liverpool following the success of its flagship venture in London’s Kensington and is the second hotel of its type in the country.

The company’s chief executive said Liverpool was chosen with its reputation as “the UK’s coolest destination” in mind.

Robert Nadler said: “We chose Liverpool for sound business reasons, but were also instinctively drawn to the city and its atmosphere.

“We looked across the UK, but it became clear quickly Liverpool is the coolest destination by a long way.

“It has undergone such a dramatic renaissance in recent years and offers a cultural and artistic mix, which is unique.”

Rather than having a bar or dining facilities on site, each air-conditioned room is equipped with a kitchen.

The interior design was created by the chief executive’s wife, French-born novelist Clarissa Nadler.

She said: “This part of the city reminded me of the Meat Packing district of New York – edgy, very cool.”

The scheme was supported by Liverpool council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, North West Development Agency, City Focus and English Heritage.