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Accommodation in Belfast

It's little wonder that so many people want to visit Belfast - as well as being an important business centre, the Northern Irish capital has become something of a cultural hub in recent years, with a thriving bar and club scene, numerous world class entertainment venues and plenty to see and do besides. Easily accessible by airlines such as Ryanair (from London Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool and Glasgow) and Aer Lingus (Heathrow, Amsterdam), the city also boasts a wide range of accommodation to suit any budget.

Here you will find a breakdown of what's on offer, from hostels for hard-up students to luxury five-star hotels for those with a little more to spend.

Budget

The Travelodge Belfast Central Hotel is centrally located on Brunswick Street, and close to attractions such as the Waterfront Hall, St Anne's Cathedral and the Grand Opera House. There is no hotel car park, but the Gt Victoria St train and bus station is just across the road.

Rooms are spacious, with complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and TV, as well as wireless internet. Plus, if you ask for a room on one of the higher floors you'll get a fantastic view of the city below. An en suite twin room here typically costs around ú75 per night. The hotel is "designed to meet the needs of today's budget conscious family, corporate guest or short break customer the Belfast central Travelodge cannot be beaten for price or value".

Backpackers may want to try Paddy's Backpackers Linen House hostel, on Kent Street, or Arnie's Backpackers hostel in the Queen's University area.

Mid-range

The three-star Benedicts Hotel, located on Bradbury Place in the city centre, is unpretentious, with a stained glass, oak and wrought iron theme inside. The themed bar and nightclub appeal to the younger traveller, playing a selection of eighties to noughties beats, and the bistro - one of the city's most bustling - offers good value 'all-you-can-eat' dining sessions.

Rooms have freeview television and radio channels, personal safes, hairdryers, and access for the disabled. Prices here range from ú70 to ú90 per room, per night.

Another good option is the four-star Europa Hotel, which is located centrally and has been the choice of many famous people on their trips to Northern Ireland. If you stay here you'll be close to the Waterfront and Odyssey Arena concert venues, and only a ten-minute drive from ferry terminals and airports.

Dine at the gourmet Piano Bar restaurant, or the more informal Brasserie, or have a tipple and some pub grub at the Lobby Bar. Rooms all feature flat-screen TVs and WiFi internet access - as well as good soundproofing to make sure you get the rest you need after a busy day. Prices range from ú135 to ú420 per night.

Luxury

Merchant Hotel Belfast is located in the historical Cathedral Quarter. It is a Grade I listed property, with its opulent interior matching the grandeur of its exterior. The Italianate building was originally built as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank, completed in 1860.

The five-star hotel offers "elegantly and opulently appointed" rooms with air conditioning, wireless internet access, flat screen televisions, en suite bathrooms with travertine marble, and "every other luxury imaginable". Visitors can also tailor their stay, ordering exactly the kind of pillow they like, pre-ordering drinks and flowers, and more.

Guests can dine below the huge interior dome, under the gaze of statues representing Science, Poetry, Sculpture and Music, in the Great Room restaurant. If you really want to treat yourself, head to The Bar, where Baccarat chandeliers hang from the ornate ceiling, and the "world's most expensive cocktail", featuring rare Wray and Nephew Rum, is available for ú750.

Rooms at the Merchant Hotel range from ú220 to ú450 per night, including breakfast and VAT.

Alternatively, the Hilton Belfast Hotel is located five minutes from the city centre by foot, on the banks of the Lagan River.
03 April 2008