LIVERPOOL, England — What could be better after a hard day's sightseeing?

Visitors to Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles, can rest their heads in the Lennon or McCartney suites at the Hard Days Night Hotel, a Fab Four-themed hostelry that opened Friday.

More than 45 years after John, Paul, George and Ringo emerged from Liverpool's tiny, sweaty clubs to conquer the world, the Beatles industry is key to this battered-but-proud city's attempt to transform itself from fading commercial hub to thriving cultural hotbed.

The 110-room Hard Days Night Hotel hopes to be its newest attraction.

"It's stunning, spectacular," said Julia Baird, John Lennon's half sister, after being shown around the £650 (US$1,300) -a-night penthouse suite named for her brother. "It's like Liverpool. Outside it hasn't changed, but inside there's rocketing change."

A smart, four-star establishment housed within a 19th-century mercantile building, the hotel aims to provide everything a Beatles fan could desire — from the Yellow Submarine jukebox in the lobby to the rare Fab Four photographs on the walls — while also catering to corporate travelers and tourists on a weekend break.

"That was a very important part of the whole concept, to get the balance," said Jonathan Davies, director of Bowdena, the developer that stepped in three years ago to revive stalled plans for the hotel.

"People who don't particularly like The Beatles — we want them to come to the hotel. And we're sure they will come."

The overall impression is more classy than kitsch. In many ways it is a typical upmarket hotel, decorated in cream, black and chocolate brown.

The restaurant is named Blakes, in honour of artist Peter Blake, who designed the cover for "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Downstairs are Hari's basement bar, decorated with pictures of the bearded Beatles in their Maharishi-following days, and "The Two of Us," a wedding chapel adorned with pictures of the Fab Four and their spouses.

The guest rooms, which start at £170 (US$340) a night, are decorated with artwork by American painter Shannon, "The World's Greatest Beatles Artist" — a title officially bestowed on her by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool.

Most luxurious are the two suites. The centrepiece of Lennon's is a white baby grand piano, while McCartney's contains a real suit of armour. Sir Paul is a knight, after all.

Beatles music plays at an unobtrusive volume in the lobby, the restaurant, even the restrooms. So will the hotel offer a non-stop Beatles soundtrack?

"No," said general manager Mike Dewey. "That would drive me mad."