Belfast hotels

For a luxury hotel in Belfast, look no further than The Merchant Hotel – a five-star icon that once housed the headquarters of Ulster Bank. Renowned for its imposing Italianate, sandstone façade, it’s a place to both see and be seen and understood to be one of the best hotels in Belfast.
The 62 guestrooms are diverse in style from Art Deco to Victorian, while the selection of bar and restaurant facilities impresses. At the heart of the property, The Great Room is a formal restaurant in a stunning space with domed ceilings and an enviable chandelier. Alternatively, Bert’s Jazz Bar and Restaurant on the ground floor, offers bistro-style dining and jazz music seven nights a week.
The Cocktail Bar is another architectural beauty, serving vintage Champagne and cocktails. The destination spa and rooftop gym, with a sauna and hot tub overlooking the city, is the icing on the cake.

Located in Minnowburn, a short drive from Belfast city, the four-star Crowne Plaza Belfast is a recently refurbished 120-room property in the heart of the Lagan Valley Regional Park. The hotel is surrounded by an abundance of rivers, forests, and cycle paths and is perfect for spending time ambling around the local area.
The proximity to the city center means that you are within reach of everything Belfast offers, but I usually just succumb to relaxing and unwinding at the hotel’s impressive range of amenities. The spa and health club include an indoor swimming pool and fitness center with a range of treatments available.
Dining needs are catered for in The Green Room restaurant, while The River Bar Lounge & Bistro provides for all of your cocktail needs. Guest rooms are modern and bright with air conditioning, flat screen TVs, snuggly bathrobes, and most importantly – 24-hour room service.

Laid-back is the vibe you can expect at ultra-hip Bullitt Hotel. Just a short walk from the Cathedral Quarter, Bullitt is named after the movie of the same name starring Steve McQueen. With 74 rooms from dinky (aka small) to biggy (aka less small), rooms have everything you need and nothing you don’t – think king-size beds, rain showers, and flat-screen TVs.
There is even a “dog den” option if you enjoy bringing your pooch along. Meanwhile, social butterflies won’t be left behind with the bar and dining options within the hotel. Taylor and Clay is a lively grill room, Tetto is a rooftop restaurant and bar, while the Lobby and Courtyard Lounge is great for light bites. I loved Rattlebag Cocktail Bar; perfect for an intimate nightcap.
Bullitt hosts many eclectic music events, such as jazz and blues, lobby vinyl sessions, and weekend DJs. Always great fun, whatever your musical leanings.

A centrally located four-star property, Ten Square is housed in a stunning Victorian building that dates from 1862. Once a linen warehouse, today it has transformed into a 131-room hotel right in the city. There are three room types: standard, deluxe, and executive, many with spectacular views over the city.
Rooms are classically styled with all mod cons. Groups will love the wow factor of the Vegas suite, which can sleep up to ten people – perfect for a girls (or boys) night, it also boasts an outdoor hot tub and acres of space for lounging.
Similarly, the Jaffe penthouse boasts a stunning roof terrace with views for miles. Food-wise, Josper’s Steakhouse is ideal for meat lovers, while The Loft bar has a decidedly “private club” feel with an impressive cocktail menu. On the ground floor, The Doffer Bar is a sport lover’s dream, showing every type of sporting fixture imaginable.

There was a lot I loved about the 250-room Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre. Its proximity to the city and the Great Victoria Street train station is one, the vast array of on-site amenities is another. Remote workers (or just those who need to get online) will appreciate the dedicated workspaces and business services.
Gym goers will be happy with the small but perfectly organized in-house gym. There is also an impressive range of accessible features throughout the hotel, including accessible guest rooms with emergency pull cords and grab bars, plus a selection of hearing and vision accessibility features and services.
Breakfast is served buffet-style, and kids get to stay and eat for free, making it ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families alike. The room service, 24-hour reception desk, and car rental desk are all subtle touches that make a big impact in this day and age.

The five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel is a tasteful and refined property, close to the Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall. With 146 guest rooms, The Fitzwilliam is considered to be the one of the best hotels in Belfast, and I couldn’t agree more. Perfect for an indulgent weekend getaway, I loved the range of experiences offered to guests.
These include cocktail masterclasses, murder mystery dinners, and “crafternoon” tea – an unusual take on the classic with craft beer – traditionalists will be glad to observe that the classic afternoon tea is also an option.
Other services that elevate The Fitzwilliam are the dog-friendly policy, the accessibility access, the plush guestrooms, and the on-site parking. The turndown service is a nice touch, and the suites have stunning glazed walls with expansive views over the city. The baby grand piano in the 1,300 sq. ft. penthouse suite is the stuff of dreams.

One of the best hotels in Belfast, The Europa exudes understated elegance and has a fascinating history. The location is ideal, just a short walk from the city, and the public spaces are both spacious and intimate. The 272-guest room property recently underwent phase one of a refurbishment project, which upgraded some of the guest rooms to include air conditioning, automated window blinds, new bathrooms, and updated interiors.
Beds from King Koil are ridiculously comfy, while The Titanic Suite is fit for a queen. The food in The Causerie Restaurant is delicious, and a nightcap in the Piano Bar to the backdrop of the resident pianist make for a memorable evening.
Other amenities might be somewhat limited, but it’s hard to care when you are staying so close to the city in such an iconic property. Plus, there is jazz in the Lobby Bar on Saturday afternoons. Need I say more?

Hilton Belfast has a lot to live up to, and it doesn’t disappoint. On the banks of the River Lagan, a 10-minute walk from the city center, Hilton Belfast has a range of rooms to suit every guest. There are connecting rooms for families, and Executive Level rooms on the top floor include access to the Executive Lounge.
All rooms have Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, on-demand movies, and a mini bar. Other conveniences include a 24-hour reception desk, room service, and babysitting. Pet friendly rooms are available too, and there is also an on-site fitness center, as well as a business center.
The Riverside Restaurant and Bar offers a brasserie-style menu, and we enjoyed the stunning views over the River Lagan thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The staff at No.4 Cocktail Bar mix a mean Manhattan, making Hilton Belfast one of the best hotels in Belfast – in my mind anyway.

A four-star boutique property, Tara Lodge is an underrated option and we think one of the best boutique hotels in Belfast. Just a 15-minute walk from the city center, Tara Lodge is ideally located in the Queens District, home to Queens University and The Botanic Gardens.
Around the corner, Botanic Avenue is a hub of activity with lots of highly regarded restaurants, wine bars, and cafés to choose from. The 34 rooms at Tara Lodge are comfortable and well-equipped with LCD TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, crisp linens and high-speed Wi-Fi. Extra touches such as Grohe showers and toiletries from designer Orla Kiely are subtle but impactful.
Signature rooms boast GHD hair straighteners, Nespresso machines, and bluetooth speakers. There is no evening dining option, but breakfast is a serious affair with a comprehensive à la carte menu. The free on-site parking is another subtle perk.

The four-star Stormont Hotel is adjacent to the famous Stormont Estate, with its expansive parklands just a three-minute drive from the city. A revamp in 2017 resulted in an upgrade of some of the public spaces, with 20 of the 105 guestrooms being refreshed. We enjoyed the food and the cozy new wood-burning stoves in the lounge on a crisp day. On Sundays, lunch in The Grand Ballroom showcases the best of seasonal, Northern Ireland produce. For a more formal affair, La Scala Bistro serves dinner on a daily basis.
Free parking is a bonus, as is the 24-hour front desk and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout. Guest rooms at The Stormont Hotel are comfortable and spacious, and each has a workstation, a seating area, and smart TVs. Bathrooms feature powerful showers, and there is a selection of suites and family rooms, too.