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The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

The Merchant Hotel

Belfast, Ireland

Set in an ornate Victorian building with an Italianate façade, The Merchant Hotel exudes character from every angle. Slender, stone columns, elaborate statues, detailed plasterwork and a grand central dome give an instant sense of grandeur.

The luxurious hotel retains many of the building’s historic details, but the decor is more modern with rooms furnished in either elegant Victorian or sophisticated Art Deco style.

While the centrally located hotel is surrounded by restaurants and bars, the opulence of the property’s Great Room Restaurant is unmatched. This award-winning restaurant is renowned for its gorgeous interior, fresh, seasonal menus and attentive service. The Merchant Hotel also offers several other dining venues, intimate bars and a lavish spa featuring a rooftop hot tub.

OUR OPINION:

A top Audley property, we love the Merchant’s grand, stylish interior and its opulent Great Room is worth a visit in its own right.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

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who's been there
Audley Travel Specialist Madeline

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Rooms

To suit different tastes the property offers guests rooms styled in a rich, Victorian manner or a lavish Art Deco style. The classic Victorian bedrooms reflect the original decor of the building and feature high ceilings, patterned wallpaper, velvet throws, rich silks and antique furniture. In contrast, the Art Deco rooms embody artistic elegance with their Hollywood-style vanity mirrors, bold geometric carpets and use of vibrant blues and golds. Additionally, these rooms are adorned with fashionable, occasionally risqué, artwork. Regardless of style, all rooms are spacious and equipped with air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, smart TV and a marble bathroom, most of which have a separate bath and shower.

Location

Located on the edge of the Cathedral Quarter, The Merchant Hotel is surrounded by charming, cobbled streets lined with gourmet restaurants and lively pubs. The hotel is also close to Belfast’s main shopping areas. The domed, multi-level Victoria Square shopping mall is approximately five minutes south of The Merchant Hotel, while the famed St George's Market is about five minutes further away on foot.

Food and drink

The hotel's Great Room Restaurant is set in a remarkable hall featuring ornate columns, arched doorways, gilded moldings and a sparkling chandelier in a glass cupola. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served from an à la carte menu featuring the finest, local ingredients complemented by expert service.

The sophisticated ambience is continued in the elegant Champagne Lounge and in Bert’s Jazz Bar which serves a French bistro menu. The atmospheric hotel pub, The Cloth Ear, serves light, informal dishes.

Facilities and activities

The state-of-the-art gym is well equipped with a range of cardiovascular and strength training machines, as well as free weights, a rock sauna, aromatherapy steam room and a rooftop hot tub which offers panoramic city views. After visiting the gym, guests are encouraged to unwind in the spa which offers a variety of indulgent body and beauty treatments.

Tour ideas in Belfast

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at The Merchant Hotel as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

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      Black cab political tour, Belfast

      Black cab political tour

      Black cab political tour

      Explore Belfast's troubled past, political murals and divided communities in the company of a local expert on this black cab tour around the city's most interesting and contentious spots, learning about the political and human cost of the Troubles as you go.

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    Belfast and nearby places