I stayed in luxurious new hotel but bizarre bedroom design detail left me asking 'Why?'

The Halyard on Duke Street is located in Liverpool's historic Ropewalks district, which derives its name from the art of rope-making for the ships during its illustrious years as one of England's vital port city's in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A luxurious new hotel has opened in a UK city, the first its parent company has opened in Britain — but one design detail of the bedroom left me scratching my head.

The Halyard on Duke Street is nestled in Liverpool's historic Ropewalks district, named after the art of rope-making for ships during its illustrious years as one of England's key port cities in the 18th and 19th centuries, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Duke Street, along with other streets in the area, is characteristically long and runs between the historic warehouses. They were designed this way to allow manufacturers to lay out the lengthy ropes during production.

The Halyard pays tribute to the history of the Ropewalks area in both its name and design. The term 'Halyard' is a nautical reference to a rope knot, acknowledging the hotel's location. The Halyard's historical location is reflected in its grand design aesthetic, inspired by the refined tastes of the mercantile classes - but with all the modern conveniences and USB charging points included.

This Liverpool gem is part of IHG Hotels and Resorts' Vignette Collection, marking the first UK city to host one of these unique hotels. Each hotel in the collection boasts its own unique identity, with other locations spanning Lisbon, Porto, Bangkok and Brisbane.

As soon as you step into The Halyard from its Duke Street entrance, it's clear this is a hotel that exudes class. The lobby is chic, light and contemporary, tastefully blending with the building's more industrial elements. Hanging plants and a patterned tiled floor add character to the space.

The hotel's 200-seater restaurant and bar, 'Voyagers', is named after the poem 'A Voyager's Dream of Land' by Felicia Hemans, a renowned poet born at 118 Duke Street. The menu offers an array of small plates inspired by Liverpool's diverse cultural influences.

In addition to its 133 luxury rooms, The Halyard also features an on-site gym, conferencing facilities and a rooftop terrace. The crowning glory is the hotel suite on the seventh floor, boasting a wrap-around rooftop terrace with stunning views of Liverpool Cathedral and the waterfront.

We were fortunate enough to spend two nights on the seventh floor, initially in a King Suite room and then in a larger suite the following night. The King Suite is elegantly furnished, featuring a separate living area for entertaining guests.

The room comes equipped with a coffee machine offering six complimentary pods, a kettle, a mini fridge, and an assortment of cups and glasses, all contributing to a cosy home-from-home feel. There are even two televisions, perfect for both entertainment and work, as they can easily be connected to personal devices to stream content. A convenient desk area and chair near the entrance cater to those needing to put in a few hours of laptop work during their stay.

The suite boasts sophisticated decorative touches throughout, including a beautifully tiled bathroom and a spacious walk-in shower area, which is hands down the best I've ever experienced in any hotel stay. Two different shower heads can be activated at the push of a button, from a powerful overhead shower delivering a heavenly warm downpour, to a more conventional flexible shower head lower down for those wishing to keep their hair dry. It's a thoughtful detail.

The suite's design incorporates tasteful lighting, large mirrors and ample storage space. The larger suite we occupied on the subsequent Friday night offered all this and more.

The larger terrace suite immediately impresses as you enter the room. It's a multi-functional space, serving as a bedroom, kitchen and even a bathroom all in one. There's even a deep ceramic bath by the window, allowing guests to soak while enjoying the stunning waterfront views - if they dare. For those who prefer privacy, black out curtains and netting are available. This is not just a luxury, but a necessity.

The wrap-around terrace is undoubtedly a highlight of the hotel. The large seventh-floor suite comes equipped with two chairs, a sofa and a table - perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or evening drink in style.

However, the view that spans from the magnificent Anglican Cathedral at one end of the city, across the waterfront to the ferry terminal and Liver Buildings at the other, attracts plenty of photographers and videographers. The only thing preventing them from wandering outside and peeping into your suite are a few large planters with enough space to squeeze past. Something to consider when preparing for a bath.

In the larger suite, a bathroom area with a sink is integrated into the main room. This might be fine for some, but for those who prefer privacy while brushing their teeth, it could be an issue. Another design aspect of the suite left my girlfriend and I puzzled. The shower room and toilet are situated right next to the bed, separated only by a thin sliding screen. You can probably see why this could be problematic. Simply put, get ready to become very familiar with your room companion.

Without being too crude, this is where the TV remote's volume control becomes your best mate. You could also try to synchronise any 'activities' with the blast of a passing cruise ship's horn, assuming you have the terrace doors open; which when shut do an excellent job of blocking out the city's sounds and vibrant nightlife, another point in the hotel's favour.

The choice to use screen doors for the bathrooms is peculiar. It's perhaps not so bad in the King Suite where the bathroom is further away, but definitely a consideration for the larger, more luxurious suite where the toilet is right next to the bed.

It's perplexing considering the rooms are otherwise beautifully decorated, with a conscious effort made to balance comfort and convenience for the guest's experience.

We decided to have breakfast in the Voyagers restaurant the following morning, which was another delightful treat. After a brief wait for a table, we selected our dishes from the menu - poached eggs and avocado on toasted sourdough with a fiery hint of chilli.

We requested coffee, while sparkling water, orange juice and apple juice were also readily available.

As we waited, we were invited to help ourselves to the central buffet, which boasted cereals, yoghurt, cheeses, fruits and an array of tempting pastries.

How much does it cost to stay at The Halyard?

Well, staying in the King Suite with a balcony on the top floor, as we did on a Friday night, isn't cheap, setting you back around £302 for the night. However, there's also the option to stay in a more affordable Queen Deluxe room from around £122 per night, though breakfast isn't included.

The larger suite, complete with a bathtub in the living room and wrap-around terrace, will cost you about £369 for a Friday night stay. An additional £16 is required if you want breakfast included the next morning.

All prices were accurate at the time of publication and were sourced from the hotel's website.