Liverpool for a Beatles fan?

My wife and I did the Liverpool Beatles trip last year and loved it. Liverpool is not the grimy smoke-filled slum of my imagination, but a vibrant and lively city with lovely architecture. The number one tip I have is to reserve a place on the National Trust tour of the Lennon-McCartney homes. They only take a few people each day, but the experience is unforgettable. To stand in John Lennon's bedroom or in the very room where John and Paul wrote "I Saw Her Standing There" (with a photo taken by Paul's brother of that very moment in the very spot you are standing...the photo is hanging on the wall next to the fireplace). If you do nothing else in Liverpool do that.
We took the Magical Mystery bus tour, which was fun, but which does not enter any of the houses. You leave from the Albert Docks and ride out to the suburb where John and Paul lived, passing through Penny Lane, passing by Strawberry Fields, stopping for brief photos at the house where George was born and etc. The commentary was from a native (who rather looked like Paul), and was funny and informative. Be aware, though, that the bus tour ends at the Cavern Club, which is a good 15 minute walk from the Albert Docks.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn across the street from the Lime Street Station. It was modern and very convenient, and the staff were very helpful. Despite that, we sort of wished we had stayed at the Beatle-themed "Hard Day's Night" hotel.
The Beatles Story at the Docks was a disappointment. By far the best thing about it was the gift shop, and you don't need to buy a ticket to go into the gift shop. The Docks themselves seemed melancholy and deserted, with a lot of vacant storefronts. We had miserable food everywhere we ate, so perhaps someone else can suggest a good place. Have a wonderful time!

There is a fairly clean hotelformule1.com (toilet and bath down the hall) about 4 blocks from the museum. Beside it is either an Etap or an Ibis, (insuite) I cannot remember which. Either is walking distance from the Museum and downtown. Wife and I enjoyed the pubs in the downtown area. Good food and a couple of them had live music. They were developing the area around the wharf when we were there. Hopefully, it is finished now and some great shopping is to be had.

Diana, you should be OK with your dates, but for others be aware that the National Trust Beatles properties close from the 28th of November to the end of February so they can recharge their brain cells.

From the National Trust website I find,

"www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatles for bookings. 27 February to 14 March and 3 November to 28 November: all tours depart from Liverpool city centre. 17 March to 31 October: morning tours depart from Liverpool city centre, afternoon tours depart from Speke Hall. To guarantee a place visitors are advised to book. Any photography or duplication of audio tour material is strictly prohibited. You will be asked to deposit all handbags, cameras and recording equipment at the entrance to both houses."

I hope that helps, and that you have a great trip!!. Let it be...

We stayed at the Premier Inn at the docks. It was a nice place to stay at a pretty good rate, and I recommend it.

We took a Beatles tour with Phil Hughes (www.tourliverpool.co.uk). It was great because he incorporated history of Liverpool into the tour. We went in November, 2009 so we were unable to tour the homes, but Phil can coordinate that into your tour. It was a more expensive way to go. We don't usually do private tours. But, we are big Beatles fans and I wanted to do something special for my husband. He thought it was great. We also visited the Beatles Story. Yes, it's mostly memorabilia, but we were there to absorb the Beatles, so it was worth it to us.

I was in Liverpool just last month to see as many Beatles sites as possible in one day, and was very happy with the Fab Four Taxi Tour (check out the website at www.ajdale.com/TAXIROOT/) It was 3 full hours for only 50 pounds per cab (for up to 5 people, only your own group). My guide (Terry) is a delightful, devoted fan who made sure I saw everything possible, and at each stop, we got out for photos and lots of great info/stories. He brings a huge album of photos, clips, and info, and even gave me a CD of a wonderful BBC radio documentary on the Beatles. I also enjoyed The Beatles Story (both sites) at the Docks and thought it was very well done and worth the time and $. Due to a big convention in town that weekend, I stayed at Childwall Abbey, a small hotel over a popular pub in a lovely residential area on the outskirts of town, & enjoyed both the food and the room.
While you're there, also take a few moments to go inside the gorgeous Anglican Cathedral. Liverpool is much more interesting and attractive than I had expected, and I wish that I had stayed there longer.