A Guide to the Best Belfast Hotels

The Merchant Hotel - A famous Belfast Hotel

Updated On: November 07, 2023 by   ProfileTree SupportProfileTree Support

Are you planning on visiting Belfast soon? Wish to be treated to the most glamorous luxuries? Want to know what 5 star really means?

Keep reading for information on two of the best Belfast hotels.

Belfast The Merchant Hotel
The Merchant Hotel, home to Bert’s Jazz Bar, Belfast.

Belfast’s 5-Star Hotels: 

Firstly, what makes a 5-star hotel worth this rating? In 2007, four groups joined together to create the UK ranking system: The Automobile Association (AA), VisitBritain, Visit Scotland and VisitWales. They have created a set of standards expected for each rating. A 5-star hotel is expected to have everything ratings 1-4 have, plus more. A 5-star hotel is expected to additionally have:

  • access to book any date throughout the year
  • a restaurant which serves all meals, 7 days a week
  • a bath in at least 80 percent of rooms
  • exceptionally proactive services and customer care
  • hired multilingual receptionists
  • extra services such as: valet parking, concierge, afternoon tea, and 24-hour reception and room service
  • additional services such as: a second dining room, a business centre, a spa and luxury suite (permanent, containing three separate rooms: a bedroom, lounge and bathroom)

Belfast has many hotels which are of a high standard, however, only two are classed as 5 star: The Merchant Hotel and The Fitzwilliam Hotel.

The Merchant Hotel

Rooms start at approximately £160 per night, rising above to £350 per night. However, if you book your stay on their website for at least 3 nights, guests will receive 10 percent off the price (packages not included).

The Merchant Hotel offers a range of rooms in their Victorian and Art Deco designs:

  • Their Victorian-styled rooms are available in: deluxe, twin, suite and accessible
  • Their Art Deco-styled rooms are available in: deluxe, deluxe twin and accessible

In addition, to push themselves to the 5-star rating, the Merchant Hotel offers two Junior Loft Suites and five Sumptuous Suites.

The Merchant’s Sumptuous Suites provides:

  • antique furnishings and many pieces of artwork
  • Super king-size beds
  • velvet throws made from lambs wool
  • marble bathrooms
  • deep roll top baths
  • rainfall showers
  • (two of them) restored antique fireplaces
  • (one) Victorian mahogany four-poster bed
The Merchant Hotel - A famous Belfast Hotel
The Merchant Hotel – A famous Belfast Hotel

Dining

One of the highlights of The Merchant is The Great Room restaurant, providing a 5-star dining experience. Serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. They provide a range of menus for every meal, including separate dinner menus for those with any form of food allergy or requirement (such as vegetarian, nuts and gluten-free), and kids.

There are two breakfast options: business breakfast which is a continental breakfast priced at £18 per person; and their a la carte breakfast menu served in The Great Room restaurant, priced at £25 per person. As a 5-star hotel, of course, it also provides afternoon tea. The Merchant’s afternoon tea is iconic within Belfast. Complete with finger sandwiches, pastries and a variety of teas.

What sets The Merchant’s selection of beverages apart is its Water Menu. Within this menu, there is a selection of bottled water from around the world. Their most expensive bottled water being Iceberg natural still water from the Canadian Arctic Ice Shelf, Newfoundland, at £26.45 per 750-millilitre bottle.

Unique Offers at The Merchant Hotel

One special feature which sets this hotel apart is that it offers guests a Rolls Royce driver. Guests can request the Rolls Royce Phantom and chauffeur for weddings, pickup/ drop off at the airport, or to come dine at The Great Room restaurant.

A second, arguably the best, unique feature is that The Merchant offers is its rooftop hot tub! With a fully equipped gym and spa, this rooftop wonderland sets it apart. With amazing views of Belfast, there is no better place to relax and enjoy your time in the city.

Hotel Location

Within walking distance of the Cathedral Quarter and Belfast city centre, guests will never be bored staying at The Merchant. An abundance of shops, restaurants and bars just seconds away from this location makes it the perfect city break destination.

The Fitzwilliam Hotel

Rooms starting at approximately £120 per night. The Fitzwilliam hotel offers a range of rooms all fitted with a mini bar, tea and coffee facilities as well as a robe and slippers. However, nothing can compete with the luxury of The Residence Suite, situated on the 8th floor. This suite is made up of 1,500 square feet and contains two ensuite bedrooms, a spacious living and dining area, and a spacious galley kitchen with Miele appliances.

Complete with: Nespresso coffee facilities, a complimentary mini bar with sweet or savoury niceties, complimentary Fiji water, GHD hairdryer, super king-size beds with Egyptian cotton and, of course, luxurious robes and slippers, for maximum comfort.

Guests who choose this suite are also offered many additional services (some with additional charges). The complimentary services are:

  • superfast WiFi with private VPN network SSID
  • 24-hour room service
  • evening turndown
  • shoeshine
  • garment pressing
  • dry cleaning
  • valet parking
  • daily international newspapers
  • use of the Gym

The services offered with additional charges include:

  • Victoria Square personal shopper (£200 per day)
  • Private butler service (£400 per day)
  • Private chauffeur and waiting on (£400 per day)

The restaurant at The Fitzwilliam was awarded a Rosette by the AA. Also a proud member of Taste of Ulster and the Restaurants Association of Ireland. The head chef, Chef Dean Butler, describes his food as classic, but modern. He earned the title: Institute of Hospitality’s “Chef of the Year”. Due to this, this restaurant is associated with luxury and class. As a 5 Star hotel, afternoon tea is offered at £27 per person. Open 7-days a week, serving all meals and providing room service.

Unique Offers

With many function rooms, The Fitzwilliam hotel ensures its guests have the opportunity for fun during their stay. With private dining available for groups of up to 50 people. The Fitzwilliam can provide Murder Mystery themed dinners in the boardroom of 14-22 people, costing £65 per person.

Another fun activity that offered is a cocktail master class. It is £30 per person and includes sparkling wine and canapes on arrival. Each guest gets to make and enjoy two delicious cocktails.

Location

The Fitzwilliam is located in Belfast’s city centre next to the Grand Opera House, minutes walk away from shopping, bars and nightlife. There is much to enjoy while staying in this hotel that will make for a memorable time in Belfast city.

If you enjoyed this guide on Belfast’s top-rated hotels, have a look at more ConnellyCoves other posts about Belfast city: Explore Belfast City And All The Popular SpotsSt Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Northern Ireland | The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Belfast

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