Liverpool Mal is back with £250k bash

WHEN you’ve had a bit of work done, you either wait for people to notice, or you shout about it from the rooftops.

The Liverpool Malmaison has had more than a bit of work done, it’s had the works done. A massive, very expensive recovery of its entire exterior cladding after a teensy bit went clattering to the ground two years ago.

The imposing Princes Dock hotel is only four years old, but it’s one big baby to strip down and dress again. Nevertheless, after what has seemed an eternity shrouded in scaffolding, the wraps have now been removed, to reveal a sleek, smooth new skin.

Therefore a party was in order.

On Friday the hotel group showed its confidence in Liverpool by throwing one of the most opulent dos since, well, the last one in 2007.

The message: “Malmaison is back on Princes Dock — The third Liverbird has returned.” Meanwhile a big owl impassively flapped its wings in the foyer for photo opps.

Hotel General Manager Helen Caters said:  “Malmaison parties are notorious and we wanted to be sure to give Liverpool a big treat to celebrate our hot new look.”  

Around 400 guests were invited to the party, including people from Hollyoaks, Corrie and Radio City to ratchet up the blood pressure barometer of the paps outside.

Back inside, the biggest stars of the night were the oysters, langoustines and one pretty nice bottle of 2006 Barolo which we found intact by the front door, negating any need to join the unseemly thrust at the bar.

Georgina and Bernadette
from Confidential, with Scott
Harper, Malmaison big cheeseIt went admirably with Eric the French Caveman’s fabulous fromages, more cheese than you have ever seen, more cheese than could possibly be consumed by 400 people, and making more than one guest wonder why they hadn’t worn a large jumper, perchance to get to know it better, later at home.

But, no. Regrettably we have all moved on. 

As all and sundry jiggled to the school disco on the first floor, fuelled by champagne and first class cocktails including the  ‘Livertini’ and  ‘Toffeeshoptini’, it was all to lead, if next day’s Twitter feeds were to be believed, to a mass case of Hangovertini.

Here are some snaps, below. Actually, shedloads.