The Best Boutique Hotels in Belfast

It’s all about location when you book with Ten Square Hotel, located south of Belfast City Hall in Donegall Square, the heart of the city’s shopping district. This boutique hotel will suit all travellers as it offers standard and budget rooms, along with several deluxe suites for those extra-special weekend breaks. The in-house restaurant, Jospers Steakhouse, is one of the best in the city – and it’s family-friendly. For those who prefer a hotel bar, Ten Square Hotel has a fantastic outdoor atmosphere every night of the week in the Linen Bar.

For a little Belfast class, visit Malmaison Hotel, which has a mix of contemporary style with Titanic-inspired interiors in each room to give visitors a taste of Belfast’s prided history. The hotel’s location on Victoria Street is the perfect distance from the City Centre and Cathedral Quarter – the home of cuisine, culture and nightlife every day. The Malbar, Malmaison’s very own cocktail bar, has so many quirky drinks to offer in another wonderful interior – think classic luxury mixed with funk. This former seed warehouse turned hotel is a great place for those who like something a little different.

South Belfast is full of quality lodgings, and Malone Lodge is no exception. Adjacent to the Queen’s University extended campus, this lodge is famous for attracting Pinterest-perfect weddings and couples who love the cosy atmosphere and luxury surroundings. Those who fancy quiet weekends will enjoy the deluxe suites, private lounges and outdoor seating areas, which ooze comfort and class. Surrounded by residential avenues and parks, Malone Lodge is number one for a detox weekend escape.

The Bullitt Hotel has its priorities in check when it comes to service versus price. As one of Belfast’s newer hotels, its remarkably simple philosophy has changed the hospitality market forever. In each of its 32 rooms, which come in Dinky, Comfy and Roomy, you will find a king-sized bed, clothes rail and rain shower, along with funky wooden decor and lighting – which won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The cost-effective approach means every visitor gets a breakfast goodie bag, filled with juice and granola, or they can enjoy breakfast in Taylor & Clay, a restaurant that reflects the hotel’s wood-cabin interiors and cool atmosphere.

This five-star, AA-standard hotel is close to Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and has earned many awards that speak for themselves. Each room features decor in the style of the Art Deco era or with detailed Victorian interiors, while the five Victorian Suites are each presented with their own unique style, service and a four-poster bed. The Great Room Restaurant has a dinner menu like no other – an AA-Rosette-winning menu from Chef John Paul Leake. Other extras include the Cocktail Room, Bert’s Jazz Bar and Champagne Lounge – you won’t want to leave this amazing hotel.

You can’t stay in a more traditional boutique hotel than the 1852 Hotel, located just off Botanic Avenue, Belfast’s revered food and drink hub. Tucked inside a converted townhouse, this budget hotel has maintained the original wood panelling and channelled the original Victorian decor into each room, from the bedding to the drapes. Down the street, check out Empire Bar, one of Belfast’s hottest music venues and comedy clubs.

The Culloden Estate & Spa is the ultimate luxury boutique experience. Built in 1876, the Gothic mansion perfectly sits on the eastern side of Belfast Lough, just outside of the city. The hotel is a treat year round, complete with beautifully decorated suites and a world-class spa, which will calm the storm in any busy life. From extensive on-site gardens to the Zest Juice Bar, there is no greater way to detox than in this countryside manor.

In the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is the Titanic hotel, offering an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Northern Ireland for a city break. Exquisitely designed and furnished rooms reflect the legacy of Harland & Wolff’s innovative design and craftsmanship. The magnificent dual Drawing Offices, with their three-storey-high barrel-vaulted ceilings, are the only surviving example of this type of shipyard architecture in the world. Half-hotel, half-museum, the building is home to an original collection of over 500 artworks, artefacts and photographs transporting the viewer back to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel.

Those who like to experience the local buzz of the city will love staying at Dukes at Queens, located on Belfast’s Botanic Avenue – abundant with eateries, cafés and university students every day of the week. The hotel itself has some of the best rooms in the area, paired with a popular restaurant and famous cocktail menu at Claudine’s bar. Local music plays every Friday and Saturday, drawing in people of all ages from Queen’s Quarter. The surrounding area is the hotel’s greatest asset, which boasts the Botanic Gardens and the Ulster Museum.

Tara Lodge is a quaint boutique hotel located in the southern district of the city, just off Botanic Avenue. Don’t be fooled by the size – this hotel offers some explosive weekend packages, including the Titanic Experience Stay and a Game of ThronesIce and Fire Tour, which includes a luxury bed-and-breakfast stay followed by a Northern Ireland tour of the TV series’ stunning filming locations.