The best hotels in Belfast City Centre are The Fitzwilliam and The Merchant, however, there are several options worth considering, depending on your budget.
When it comes to deciding where to stay in Belfast, the areas I always tend to recommend are the Cathedral Quarter and Central Belfast.
Both areas are right at the heart of the action, with many of the city’s top attractions (and all of Belfast’s top bars and restaurants) a short stroll away.
Below, you’ll discover what I think are the best hotels Belfast has to offer, based on 15+ visits to the city. Cheers!
The best hotels in Belfast City Centre
It’s worth taking 20 seconds to look at the map above, first, as it’ll give you a sense of where the various Belfast hotels are located.
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1. The Fitzwilliam Hotel
Photos via The Fitzwilliam Hotel
Tastefully decorated and stylishly appointed, The Fitzwilliam is arguably the best known of the luxury Belfast hotels, and for good reason.
You’ll find it at the heart of the Cathedral Quarter on Great Victoria St. (handy for the train!).
This 5-star property boasts 146 guest-rooms and suites that range from standard rooms and city views to suites and a penthouse.
You can enjoy fine-dining at the in-house restaurant or you’ll find many of Belfast’s best restaurants, like James St. just minutes away.
2. The Merchant Hotel
Courtesy of Studio Kin/Merchant Hotel
Another of the best hotels in Belfast that calls the Cathedral Quarter ‘home’ is the outstanding 5-star Merchant Hotel.
Located in one of Belfast’s finest Grade A listed buildings, the Art Deco interior of The Merchant Hotel will have you ‘ooh-ing and aah-ing’ from the moment you arrive.
Many of the guest-rooms are fabulously appointed with original artworks, blackout blinds and marble bathrooms.
When it comes to dining, the hotel’s ‘Great Room Restaurant’ is worlds apart from anything else in the city, thanks to its Victorian interior, complete with a domed ceiling and gilded decor.
It’s also one of a handful of hotels in Belfast City Centre with a spa, sauna and rooftop hydrotherapy room.
3. The Flint
Photos via The Flint
Despite its very central location (on Howard St. beside the Grand Opera House) the very popular Flint Hotel tends to be considerably cheaper than many of the other hotels in the area.
I’ve stayed here several times in recent years, mainly as each of the studio rooms comes with a kitchenette, so eating out each morning/night isn’t required.
The rooms here a spacious and airy and feel more like little apartments than stuffy hotels rooms.
While there aren’t any bars or restaurants on-site, Madden’s, arguably one of the best pubs in Belfast, is a 9-minute stroll away, and Belfast City Hall is only a 4-minute walk away.
4. Grand Central Hotel
Photos via Grand Central Hotel
The 5-star Grand Central Hotel on Bedford St. is another of the Belfast hotels that boasts a location right at the heart of the action.
With over 300 guest-rooms, the hotel is one of the city’s largest and accommodation ranges from classic king rooms to suits with city views.
While there are several dining options, such as the stylish Seahorse Restaurant, head straight for The Observatory on the 23rd floor—it’s Belfast’s highest bar!
Walk 10 minutes to the historic St. George’s Market or 35 to Titanic Belfast. Or, if you don’t fancy strolling, take one of the Black Cab Tours and see a side of the city many miss!
5. Bullitt Hotel
Photos via The Bullitt Hotel
For luxury with a more contemporary vibe, The Bullitt Hotel in the Cathedral Quarter is worth considering, especially as you can often nab a night here for under €190.
The rooms here range from double to family, and although they are small, they are comfortable and contain everything you’ll need for your Belfast road trip.
Food-wise, there are several options, including Taylor and Clay, and Tetto—a rooftop restaurant and bar! You’ll also get some of the best brunch in Belfast from The Lobby and Courtyard!
If you’re looking for some of the best hotels in Belfast City Centre value wise, look no further!
6. Hilton Belfast
Photos via The Hilton Belfast
Located at Lanyon Place, right by the River Langan, The Hilton Belfast is a stone’s throw from St. George’s Market.
Although it’s outside the city centre, it’s still less than a 20-minute walk from the Cathedral Quarter—ideal for anyone looking to be away from the hustle and bustle yet close enough to dip in and out with ease.
Room types vary from kings to junior suites, with some offering city and river views.
You can dine in the hotels Riverside Restaurant and then take the 10-minute ramble to McHughe’s – one of the best pubs with Irish music in Belfast!
7. Europa Hotel
Photos via The Europa Hotel
Occupying a landmark building, The Europa Hotel is in the centre of Belfast on the Golden Mile.
Dating back to 1971, it was built on the site of Belfast’s Great Northern Railway Station and during The Troubles, the Europa became a haunt for journalists from across the globe.
There are 272 rooms here, ranging from classic to presidential, and each is finely appointed with all modern conveniences.
For food, you can dine in The Lobby Bar or The Causerie while for drinks, the beautiful Piano Bar is one of the more unique cocktail bars in Belfast.
8. Titanic Hotel Belfast
Photos via The Titanic Hotel
Arguably one of the more famous hotels in Belfast, The Titanic Hotel is located at what was once the Harland & Wolff Headquarters!
A must for those interested in exploring all things Titanic, the hotel is surrounded by the Titanic museum, HMS Caroline, the Samson & Goliath Cranes and SS Nomadic.
The rooms here range from standard, complete with Art Deco furniture and nautical nods, to suites themed on the White Star Line ships.
For dining, there’s The Wolff Grill for a casual meal and the Drawing Office Two Bar, an elegant restaurant in the original Harland & Wolff offices.
9. Ten Square Hotel
Photos via The Ten Square Hotel
Ten Square Hotel is situated inside another landmark building, this time on Donegal Square, overlooking historic City Hall.
You’ll find 131 luxurious rooms here that include both suites and classic rooms, each of which is cosy and well-appointed.
There are several dining options, including The Loft, Jospers Steakhouse and The Doffer but, with such a central location, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to eating out.
On its doorstep, you’ll find Zen, offering the finest Asian cuisine in the city, and James St, one of the best restaurants in Belfast.
10. Hampton By Hilton
Photos by the Hampton By Hilton
I’ve stayed in the Hampton By Hilton on Hope St (a lot of ‘Hs’ there) several times in recent years (always with friends) and it’s a great, no-fuss hotel.
The rooms are fairly simple but clean and comfortable, making them a great base for exploring.
Price-wise, it offers good value, especially considering its central location (around 20 minutes from the Cathedral Quarter).
There’s a small gym and bar, and the hotel is just a 1-minute walk from the train station!
11. The Maldron
Photos via The Maldron
The last place in my Belfast hotels guide is The Maldron on Brunswick St., a 2-minute walk from Great Victoria Train Station.
Now, like the Hampton, there’s nothing overly special about the rooms here – but the Maldron excels in its location
From its doorstep, you’re a 4-minute walk from the Opera House, 15 minutes from the Cathedral Quarter, 20 minutes from the Botanic Gardens and 30 minutes from Crumlin Road Gaol.
If you’re looking for a great location, clean rooms, good service, and a competitively priced stay, the Maldron is worth considering!
Explore beyond the Belfast hotels
Now that you have a good sense of the best hotels in Belfast City Centre, it’s time to look at how you’ll spend your time in the city.
Here are some of the top things to do in Belfast:
- Attractions: Titanic Belfast, the Black Cab Tour and things to do in Belfast with kids
- Walks: Cave Hill and Divis Mountain
- Nearby attractions: The Causeway Coast, day trips from Belfast and the Game of Thrones locations
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.