Top 15 Cool and Unusual Hotels in Belfast 2023

Now a thriving, hip and fun city, this former industrial powerhouse has long since put any political unease behind it. The capital of Northern Ireland is mostly known for its friendly locals who enjoy a good craic, being the original home of RMS Titanic, the famous murals and its superb pubs.

Must-see highlights include the vibrant historic city centre, excellent museums, the unique Titanic Quarter, its live music venues, its numerous cultural experiences and a foodie scene featuring world-class local, artisanal produce.

It also makes a great base to visit the beautiful and unspoilt Causeway Coastal Route made famous for being the home of Giant’s Causeway and many Game of Thrones locations. Find yourself an equally interesting place to stay and you’ve got yourself a perfect city trip! So from fine elegant boutiques to hip and trendy, here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Belfast, Northern Ireland (in no particular order)...

1. House Belfast Hotel – a trendy and Instagrammable boutique-style hotel with a relaxed bar, unique decor and a lively nightclub

House Belfast ranks amongst the city’s most elegant boutique hotels, designed to serve as a home away from home for luxury-minded travellers.

Located on the verdant Botanic Avenue, staying at House will position you in the heart of Queen’s Quarter – where you will find all the action and entertainment.

House offers 31 elegantly decorated and exquisitely furnished boutique rooms and suites decked with modern comforts like luxury beds, free WiFi, and a Nespresso coffee machine.

House has a spectacular onsite restaurant to serve its guests from breakfast to dinner, alongside an eclectic bar, a bistro, and even a nightclub. It’s a great place for solo travellers to stay and connect with like-minded nomads for a rewarding Belfast experience.

To book, check prices or availability for House Belfast Hotel

2. Bullitt Hotel – a hip, trendy and creative hotel with industrial chic decor perfect for fun-loving Millenials and Gen Zs

Tucked in the heart of the Belfast city centre, the Bullitt Hotel offers affordability and comfort with a “no-nonsense philosophy.” The Bullit enjoys popularity across business, budget, and private travellers by providing them a quality experience without any hidden costs.

The rooms at the Bullitt Hotel are standard accommodations, equipped with plush king-sized beds, functional bathrooms, high-speed WiFi, and smart TVs.

Guests can enjoy the hotel’s onsite restaurant, the famous Taylor & Clay and socialize at one of the three in-house bars.

The Bullitt is also popular for its hip social scene and action-packed events calendar, allowing travellers abundant opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded people.

To book, check prices or availability for Bullitt Hotel

3. Titanic Hotel Belfast – a cool and unique Titanic-themed hotel which offers interestingly designed rooms

The perfect spot for a romantic getaway that will transport you to the Golden Age of Ocean Travel, the Titanic Hotel is one of Belfast’s most iconic historic hotels.

The Titanic is more than just a place to stay; it’s an experience of authentic extravagance and a sensory feast of art, architecture, and culture.

The hotel is home to a magnificent art collection of 500 artifacts, artworks, photographs, and memorabilia. The Titanic does a splendid job of mimicking the luxury and opulence of its ill-fated namesake, the British passenger liner.

It offers beautifully decorated Art Deco-style bedrooms and sprawling suites decked with exquisite amenities and tasteful furniture.

To book, check prices or availability for Titanic Hotel Belfast

4. Malmaison Belfast – a beautiful and creative boutique-style hotel inspired by the city’s shipbuilding past

An elegant boutique hotel situated in the legendary Cathedral Quarter, the Malmaison is housed in a breathtaking Italianate structure that commands awe with its majestic presence.

This hotel is a beautiful representation of Belfast’s vibrant history and contemporary architecture. The Malmaison offers 62 guest rooms and suites, designed with keen attention to modern comforts with a bold contemporary flair.

Inspired by the opulence of the Titanic, the hotel attempts to mimic the extravagance of the famous British passenger liner by offering guests a lavish experience.

The Malmaison is popular for its flavorful cocktails, served at the eclectic onsite bar. And the Chez Mal brasserie is the city’s most famous restaurant for authentic farm-to-table Irish cuisine.

To book, check prices or availability for Malmaison Belfast

5. The Flint – a funky, contemporary hotel where guests can enjoy trendy spacious rooms and great facilities

The Flint enjoys popularity for delivering a simplistic and elegant experience with its beautifully decorated rooms and intensely comfortable king-sized beds.

Nestled in the heart of Belfast, the Flint hotel offers proximity to the city’s finest dining establishments, theatres, nightclubs, and popular attractions.

Guests have much to say about the hotel’s friendly multilingual staff, commending the team for their courteousness and hospitality. The guest rooms are equipped with a wide range of amenities, including air conditioning, smart appliances, and free WiFi.

The hotel provides laundry and concierge services, and the staff helps travellers plan their tours and book tickets to enjoy the city without encountering any inconveniences.

To book, check prices or availability for The Flint Belfast

6. The Merchant Hotel – a romantic, historic upscale hotel that features vintage-chic decor that will take you back to a more glamorous time

The Merchant Hotel is a five-star accommodation that reinvents opulence and extravagance with its distinctive flair for luxury. Nestled in the heart of the historic Cathedral Quarter, the Merchant has a fascinating history of multi-award-winning services to the city’s hospitality sector.

The facilities and comforts offered at the Merchant Hotel stand unparalleled, for the hotel ranks among the city’s finest award-winning hotels. Guests can explore sprawling and exquisite suites in two unique themes: Art Deco Decadence and Victorian Splendor.

Many of the Merchant’s magnificent suites are named after iconic Irish poets and writers. The hotel is home to a wide variety of rare antiques, original Victorian furniture, and celebrated artworks.

To book, check prices or availability for The Merchant Hotel

7. AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast – a unique contemporary urban retreat hotel that offers a blissful waterfront setting

The AC Hotel by Marriott offers an idyllic waterfront setting, making it a splendid location for a romantic getaway in Northern Ireland.

This urban hotel inspires awe with its polished and refined interiors, dominated by accents like glass-enclosed double showers, an elegant meeting room, and sleek, smart appliances.

Guests can choose from standard accommodations and family-friendly rooms to sprawling luxury suites with spectacular waterfront views. The AC Hotel is home to a fabulous riverside restaurant, the Novelli at City Quays, famous for its Michelin-starred chef and authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

The hotel allows guests to reserve the sprawling event space for hosting business meetings, weddings, and social gatherings.

To book, check prices or availability for AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast

8. The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast – a chic upscale five-star hotel located in the heart of Belfast city centre

The undisputed superstar among Belfast’s finest luxury hotels, the Fitzwilliam is a class apart when it comes to experiencing true opulence and grandeur.

A five-star luxury establishment nestled adjacent to the Grand Opera House on the city’s most prestigious address, the Great Victoria Street, staying at the Fitzwilliam is a grand way to enjoy the best of the city centre.

The hotel is a masterpiece of elegance and architectural splendour, and the interiors are drenched with an old-world charm and modern innovation. Guests can explore standard rooms, family-friendly accommodations, and sprawling suites, including a penthouse with spectacular city views.

To book, check prices or availability for The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast

9. The 1852 Hotel – an elegant hotel with a modern design located in the heart of the vibrant Queens Quarter

The 1852 Hotel is a splendid place to stay for travellers who want to enjoy elegant guest rooms with delightful terrace views and value the luxury of concierge services.

Located 2.5 miles from Ulster Hall and within walking distance of the Grand Opera House, the 1852 Hotel offers an ideal location and undeniable comfort.

The hotel is home to 21 exquisitely decorated and lavishly comfortable guest rooms equipped with flat-screen TVs, safes, desks, cable programming, and free WiFi.

Guests can enjoy lounging around at the hotel’s eclectic café or socialize at the bar. The hotel also offers a delicious breakfast spread, while the area is brimming with a multitude of bars, cafes, and eateries.

To book, check prices or availability for The 1852 Hotel

10. Grand Central Hotel Belfast – a modern high-rise hotel where guests can appreciate spectacular views from a rooftop bar

Grand Central Hotel is a glorious tribute to the living soul of Belfast, embodying the old-world charm and grandeur of the city with an iconic Irish spirit.

Situated in the heart of the city, the Grand Central Hotel offers 300 magnificently decorated guest rooms with sprawling views of the cityscape and architecture.

A history buff’s paradise, staying at the Grand Central will leave you spoilt for luxury and opulence. The rooms have been designed to maximize comfort with plush luxury beds, air conditioning, smart appliances, and bathrooms stocked with amazing scented products.

Guests can enjoy an elegant and unforgettable dining experience at the hotel’s legendary Seahorse Restaurant or sip flavorful cocktails in Ireland’s highest cocktail lounge, the onsite Observatory.

To book, check prices or availability for Grand Central Hotel Belfast

11. The Culloden Estate and Spa – a beautiful spa hotel set in a grand 1876 mansion amongst 12 acres of grounds

Voted the Best Hotel for Romance by the high-status Readers’ Travel Awards 2020, the Culloden Estate is an opulent, five-star establishment standing tall and elegant on the cliffs of Hollywood Hills.

The Culloden offers an idyllic and romantic setting of the County Antrim Coastline, and the interiors are dripping with magnificence and splendour.

This sprawling estate has an iconic heritage, originally constructed as a palace for the Bishops of Down. Today, it serves as a glorious 12-acre palatial estate with exquisitely tasteful suites decked with rare antiques, a world-class spa, abundant woodland, and enchanting secret gardens.

Needless to say, it’s a world of its own!

To book, check prices or availability for The Culloden Estate and Spa

12. The Malone – a fine recently renovated boutique Victorian townhouse hotel located in the entertainment district

The Malone has a longstanding history of ranking among the most opulent four-star boutique hotels in Belfast. It has recently undergone major upgrades, rebranding itself as the Malone from the Malone Lodge Hotel & Apartments.

It offers a distinct taste of Irish hospitality combined with contemporary comforts and innovative settings.

Located in the verdant and centrally-located neighbourhood of the Queen’s Quarter, the Malone will position you in the heart of the city’s best attractions, restaurants, and entertainment zones.

The hotel’s onsite restaurant, Gallery, offers amazing Irish cuisine, and the new Greyhound Bar is a fabulous addition to Malone’s in-house amenities.

To book, check prices or availability for The Malone

13. The Stormont Hotel – a charming and highly recommended hotel that overlooks a lovely garden

A delightful four-star accommodation situated a stone’s throw away from the City Center, the Stormont has a stellar reputation for unmatched hospitality and a courteous, award-winning team.

The hotel offers guests 105 vibrant and expansive guestrooms, beautifully decorated with fine antiques and luxury furniture to create a comfortable and ambient setting.

Guests staying at the Stormont Hotel have access to spacious and well-equipped conference rooms, a relaxing cocktail lounge, and elegant dining experiences at the on-site La Scala Restaurant.

The location is amazingly ideal for travellers planning to explore the city on foot, for the hotel is in proximity to Belfast’s best museums, restaurants, theatres, and shopping centres.

To book, check prices or availability for The Stormont Hotel

14. Tara Lodge – one of Belfast’s most popular boutique hotels with quirky-chic decor

A metro-style boutique hotel, the Tara Lodge is a one-of-its-kind accommodation situated in the vibrant Queen’s Quarter. The Tara Lodge is popular for its warmth-exuding interiors, lavishly comfortable hotel rooms, friendly staff, and ideal location.

It positions you right in the heart of the city, with close access to all popular attractions, including the Ulster Museum and Queen’s University.

Guests are impressed at the Lodge’s special touches to add value to their stays, such as being served a sprawling a la carte breakfast in the bright breakfast room, free parking space, and unlimited high-speed WiFi.

This hidden gem is ideal for travellers looking for luxurious comfort and ease of accessibility.

To book, check prices or availability for Tara Lodge

15. The Regency – a 19th-century Georgian building aparthotel which is a chic choice for families and longer stays

A magnificent specimen of Georgian architectural influences, the Regency delivers a quintessential European experience drenched in historical heritage and royal extravagance.

The building has been beautifully preserved and lovingly restored, and the interiors will transport you to a bygone era of endless and exquisite charm. Staying here is an experience as enchanting as the architecture itself.

The Regency allows travellers to choose from opulently decorated suites fit for royalty, including the Courtyard Suite, Garden Suite, and Park Suite.

These sprawling 2-bedroom suites feature luxury furniture, rare antiques, and indulgently comfortable king-sized beds. Guests at the Regency enjoy unparalleled comforts, luxuries, and privacy in the thoughtfully-designed and exquisitely furnished residences.

To book, check prices or availability for The Regency

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Becky Moore

My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since I’ve lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. I’m a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian – from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, you’ll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland.