The North —
Favorite Places to Stay
Photos: (Top, from left) The Hilton Belfast on the River Lagan in Belfast (next to the circular Waterfront Hall); and City Hotel in Derry City; (Bottom, from left) Europa Hotel, Belfast, and the Lough Erne Resort at Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
For many years, the lodging choices of Northern Ireland lagged behind the Republic of Ireland both in quantity and quality. As a sign of recent times, however, new hotels are springing up all over Northern Ireland.
B&B per person per night
£ - under 50
££ - 50 to 75
£££ - 75 to 100
££££ - 100 to 150
£££££ - over 150
The choices are still somewhat limited in the guesthouse and bed-and-breakfast categories. Comparatively speaking, it can often be difficult to find Northern Ireland bed-and-breakfast homes that accept vouchers or participate in fly/drive programs.
For these reasons, on my own trips to Northern Ireland, I have tended to opt for hotels, and particularly to experience new hotels. My expertise in recommending places to stay in the North therefore does not extend to "favorites" in the guesthouse or B&B categories.
However, in the meantime, here are some hotel properties particularly worth noting:
Armagh City Hotel, 2 Friary Road, Armagh BT61 7QJ, Co. Armagh, tel. 028-3751-8888; fax 028-3751-2777; e-mail: info@armaghcityhotel.com. With the opening of this modern 4-story hotel in mid-2002, Armagh at last has a full-scale 3-star hotel, ideally suited to cater for business and tourist traffic. Décor is contemporary with huge windows and high ceilings. The 82 guest rooms offer every contemporary comfort, with views of the city and adjacent rugby grounds as well as the Palace Stables. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, deli, outdoor terrace, fitness centre, conference centre, and ample parking on the grounds. Best of all, it is a short walk into the downtown area, with all of its many historic attractions and lovely Georgian buildings. Closed: 24 - 26 Dec. £ to ££ Web site: www.mooneyhotelgroup.com
Benedict's of Belfast, 7-21 Bradbury Place, Shaftsbury Square, Belfast BT7 1RQ, tel. 028-9059-1999; fax 028-9059-1990; e-mail: info@benedictshotel.co.uk. Although many of Belfast's hotels are clustered near City Hall and Donegall Square, here's one that has been purpose-built on Shaftsbury Square, in a lively area near the Ulster Museum, Queen's University, and Botanical Gardens — about a 15 minute walk from the city centre and half-mile from Waterfront Hall. Benedict's is a three-story building although it has a distinctly Victorian façade that blends in with the local architecture. The public areas, especially the bar and restaurant, have been cleverly outfitted with former church furnishings from France, to convey an old world ambiance. In contrast, the guest rooms are modern, with all the usual conveniences such as coffee/tea-maker, hairdryer, ironing facilities, cable TV, and in-room safe; executive rooms also have a jacuzzi. £ to ££ Web Site: www.benedictshotel.co.uk
City Hotel Derry, Queens Quay, off Foyle Street, Derry City, Co. Derry, tel. 028-7136-5800; fax 0287136-5801; e-mail: reservations@cityhotelderry.com. Set overlooking the River Foyle, yet just a few steps from the Guildhall and city walls, this 4-star hotel (formerly operated by the Great Southern Hotel Group) has fast become "the place" to stay in Derry City. Although contemporary in design, this 7-story hotel blends historical references into its public areas. Thompson's Restaurant, with sweeping views overlooking the River Foyle, is named after a mill that originally occupied the site; and the adjacent Coppen's Bar is named in honor of William Coppen, a leading shipbuilder in Derry in the 18th century when shipbuilding was the city's major industry. The 145 guest rooms, spread out on the upper six floors, are simply the best in Derry, and capped by views of the walled city or the river. It is an ideal hotel for visitors, giving easy walking access to the walled city and all its shops and pubs. Facilities also include a leisure center and the underground parking. Closed: 24 - 26 Dec. ££ to £££ Web site: www.cityhotelderry.com
Clarion Hotel Fergus, 75 Belfast Road, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim; tel. 028-9336- 4556; fax 01960-351620; e-mail: info@clarioncarrick.com . If you want to be close to Belfast for touring or shopping, yet prefer a rural seaside setting for overnighting, this hotel is ideal. Located on the edge of Carrickfergus near the famous 12th century Norman castle, it is less than a half-hour north of Belfast on the road to the Antrim coast. The four-story exterior presents a pleasingly modern Victorian look with a brick façade, towers, and balconies, while the interior is sunlit, plant-filled, and contemporary. The 68 guest rooms are modern, many with king-size beds, and some rooms on the higher floors enjoy lovely views of Belfast Lough. Public areas include the Red Pepper restaurant and two bars — "Bar 75" with a traditional pub atmosphere and the "Lobby Bar," a modern in-the-round lounge. ££ to £££ Web site: www.clarioncarrick.com
Europa Hotel, Belfast, Great Victoria St., Belfast, BT2 7AP, Co. Antrim; tel. 028-9027-7800. Situated in the heart of the city’s “Golden Mile” and beside the Grand Opera House, this is one of Northern Ireland’s largest and most luxurious hotels. Long popular as “the place” to stay in Belfast, it has played host to stars of stage and screen, prime ministers and presidents (including President Clinton in 1995 and 1998). Enhanced and expanded over the years, it now offers 240 guest rooms with every modern comfort. Public areas include a brasserie/bistro and a piano bar restaurant with live music each evening. The Europa is part of the Hastings Hotel Group. ££ to £££ Web site: www.hastingshotels.com.
Hilton Belfast, 4 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3LP, tel. 028-9027-7000; fax 028-9027-7277; e-mail: reservations.belfast@hilton.com. Situated next to Waterfront Hall overlooking the River Lagan, this £37 million hotel is Belfast's first true 5-star hotel, with 195 rooms spread out in a 12-story tower. Surrounded by riverfront walkways, courtyards, and gardens, it is set apart from the main downtown area, yet it is an easy walk to Donegall Square and other attractions and to the Central Rail Station. An air of grand contemporary style prevails, from the atrium-style lobby, with huge windows and white marble flooring, to the riverfront restaurant and ship-like bar. No expense has been spared in the guest rooms - outfitted with every modern convenience including air conditioning and well-lit marble-and-tile bathrooms. Each room enjoys a view of the river, cityscape, and nearby mountains. Suites and corner rooms have panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. Facilities include a leisure centre with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and gym. A multi-story car park is adjacent. £ to ££££ Web Site: www.hilton.co.uk/belfast
Jurys Belfast Inn, Fisherwick Place, Gt. Victoria St., Belfast BT2 7AP, tel. 028-9053-3500; fax 028-9053-3511; e-mail: jurysinnbelfast@jurysdoyle.com. As the first Jurys Inn to open in Northern Ireland, this 190-room property fits right in to the Belfast scene. With a striking six-story brick façade, it blends well with the Victorian aura of Great Victoria Street and its neighbors such as the Grand Opera House and the Crown Liquor Saloon. The interior, however, is strictly modern and in keeping with the Jurys Inn formula that works so well in its sister properties in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick, and in Britain. Guest rooms are contemporary and well-equipped. Rooms can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and two children for one flat room rate. Facilities include an on-premises restaurant and pub and nearby public car park. Closed: 24-26 December. £ to ££ Web Site: www.jurysinns.com
Lough Erne Golf Resort, Belleek Road, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT93 7ED 028-6632-3230. Opened in 2008, this sprawling resort is one of the North’s loveliest locations, set on an island between Lower Lough Erne and Castle Hume Lough. No expense has been spared in building this 125 room-hotel or the 25 adjacent turret-shaped self-catering lodges. The guest rooms have all the contemporary comforts, from luxury Irish bed linens on king- or twin-size beds and velour monogrammed bathrobes, to in-room binoculars, to focus on the views of the loughs and countryside. By 2009, there will also be two championship golf courses, with one designed by Nick Faldo. Facilities include the Catalina restaurant, Blaney bar, a library, and a traditional drawing room where afternoon tea is served on Belleek China. There is also a fitness centre with indoor swimming pool and gym plus the Thai Spa with treatment rooms, thermal suite, sauna and more. Outside there is golf and more golf, plus jogging trails, fishing, and water sports. If you feel like treating yourself to a big splurge in Northern Ireland, this is the place to do it. €€€ to €€€€€ Web site: www.loughernegolfresort.com
Malmaison Hotel, 34-38 Victoria St., Belfast, BT1 3GH, tel. 028-9022-0200; fax 028-9022-0220; e-mail: belfast@malmaison.com. An appealing blend of old and new, this 4-star hotel is housed in two landmark buildings — originally built as two seed warehouses in the 1850's by two rival firms, John Lytle & Sons and Samuel McCausland. Both companies tried to out-do each other, resulting in dazzling four-story brick facades of Italianate classical style with ornate carvings of the five continents and other intricate designs — all of which have been adapted into the exterior of the hotel. The interior areas, in contrast, are starkly modern, with an emphasis on black and white decor. The 59 guest rooms have been outfitted in contemporary style including Rock 'n' Roll Suites. All rooms are air-conditioned and have broadband, as well as an entertainment system with TV, CD, radio, and VCR equipment, mini-bars, safes and other amenities.The hotel is in the heart of the business district, across from Victoria Square, and just a block from the riverfront and the Albert Clock Tower. Closed 24-28 December. £££ to ££££ Web site: www.malmaison.com
Ramada Da Vinci's Hotel, 15 Culmore Rd., , Derry City, BT48 8JB, tel. 028-7127-9111; fax 028-7127-9222; e-mail: info@davincishotel.com. DaVinci's Bar & Restaurant, well-known for good food and drink in Derry City — and winner of Bushmills Bar of the Year, is the core of this 4-story full-service hotel. Although the exterior is bland at first sight, the interior is stunning — from the semi-circular glass-walled white-and-black marble lobby to the award-winning traditional-style pub and restaurant. The 70 guest rooms feature all the modern amenities, from remote control TV and computer access, to coffee/tea-maker and hair dryer. There are vending and ice machines on all floors. Best of all, the historic walled city of Derry is less than a half-mile away and the hotel itself is conveniently situated just off the main road to Buncrana. Closed: 24-26 Dec. £ to ££ Web site: www.davincishotel.com
Tower Hotel, Butcher Street, Derry City, Co. Derry; tel. 028-7137-1000; fax 028-7137-1234; e-mail: reservations@thd.ie. Opened in 2002, this modern 5-story structure is the only hotel within the historic Derry walls and is less than one block from The Diamond, making it an ideal base for walking the city. The 93 guest rooms, built to a 4-star standard, are contemporary in style and spacious with sitting areas. Facilities include a restaurant overlooking the walls, a bar facing Butcher Street, and a fitness centre with gym and saunas, as well as underground car parking. The public areas are air-conditioned but the guest rooms are not, which can bring street noise from nearby pubs, especially on weekends, if windows are open. Closed: 24-26 Dec. £ to ££ Web site: www.towerhotelderry.com
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