I could not have been happier with my hotel choice.
The Resident Liverpool (formerly The Nadler Liverpool): At 29 Seel Street in the Rope Walk district, this is a small boutique hotel in a renovated warehouse. Very reasonably priced, this was a great spot from which to explore the city. My room was excellent. The only negative was that they had no restaurant, but I ate at the Novotel a few blocks away and there is a Starbucks two blocks away. There is a nearby restaurant that will also bring food directly to your room if you want to eat in. They have two hotels in Kensington and Soho in London.
I would also check out the contemporary Hope Street Hotel on a future trip. I had dinner at the London Carriage Works Restaurant and very much liked the hotel and location. It comes highly recommended.
Other articles suggest the Malmaison Hotel, the more traditional Racquet Club Hotel and Hotel Indigo.
Also check out the new, stylish Aloft Liverpool hotel at One N. John St. and the Titanic Hotel, a hip new hotel in a former rum warehouse along the docks. It looks amazing.