The Grand Central

The Grand Central's transformation from a soulless, 1970s high rise office block, into a five star hotel worthy of presidents and prime ministers was completed in 2018. Borrowing its name from a swish, Victorian hotel which shut up shop in Belfast in 1969, the second-tallest building in Ireland dominates the city's skyline. Its 300 rooms over 23 floors are topped off by the Observatory Bar which offers 360 degree views over Belfast and beyond, along with an extensive cocktail list, with signature concoctions named after local attractions.

The Hastings Suite (named after the late owner) has the distinction of being the most prestigious accommodation in town, having been occupied by Joe Biden on his 2022 Irish tour. Those without an entourage can choose from a range of smaller rooms and suites, ranging from Classic to Deluxe with floor 11 and above offering the best views of the city and nearby mountains. Every guest benefits from a Cloud bed, Espa toiletries, sustainable water bottles and locally-designed and -manufactured furnishings, while Nespresso machines and a pillow menu feature in premium rooms.

Popular with a movie and television production crowd, star spotting is always a possibility in one of the dining and drinking options including the Grand Café and Seahorse Restaurant, where chefs and bartenders stick to local ingredients wherever possible. The seahorse motif is drawn from the city’s coat of arms and adorns many of the GC’s surfaces, as do extracts from poet Paul Muldoon’s specially-commissioned ode to Belfast.