Best places to stay in Belfast
Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland has emerged into a colourful blend of art, music, food, architecture, and history. Over the years, Belfast has transformed itself into one of the coolest cities in the UK. A large student population gives the city an energetic, youthful vibe, and every neighbourhood or ‘Quarter’ in Belfast has its own unique charm and character.
City Centre
The buzzing city centre features the best of the culture, architecture, and dining that Belfast has to offer. If you are visiting Belfast for the first time, stay in the central area where most of the popular attractions are within a short walk from each other. Amid restaurants and cafés in the heart of the city centre, consider the Bullitt Hotel which features stylish rooms and a range of thoughtful amenities. You can also look at the Europa Hotel on Great Victoria Street. Known internationally as the ‘most bombed hotel in Europe’, it has now been beautifully refurbished and exudes an understated grandeur. Or for a mid-range budget option, stay at the Ten Square hotel located in a mid-19th century former linen mill, just behind the City Hall.
The Cathedral Quarter
Just a short walk from the City Centre, the Cathedral Quarter has an artsy vibe, and is relatively more relaxed. Plenty of restaurants, shops, cafés, and pubs, make for a pleasant stay in what is also called the ‘culture quarter’ of Belfast. Stay in grandeur at the Victorian and Art Deco-styled, The Merchant Hotel on Skipper Street, just a 4-minute walk from the St. Anne’s Cathedral. For mid-range budget accommodation, consider the Premier Inn Belfast City Cathedral Quarter hotel located on Waring Street, right across from the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum.
Queens Quarter
Catering to a large student population from the nearby Queen’s University Belfast, this neighbourhood has a young and hip vibe. You will get a wide choice of cheap eateries, lively pubs, affordable shopping, and entertainment in this area. Stay at the Dukes at Queens Hotel set in a beautiful, Neo-Gothic Victorian building, just a 3-minute walk from the Botanic train station, and close to several restaurants and pubs. You also have the Benedicts of Belfast Hotel, a boutique hotel with stylish, comfortable rooms.
Titanic Quarter
This is a recently regenerated neighbourhood comprising historic maritime landmarks, film studios, and a host of riverside entertainment activities. Stay in modern, comfortable rooms at the waterfront property of Premier Inn Belfast Titanic Quarter hotel. Or consider the modern, upscale rooms of Park Avenue Hotel, conveniently located on Holywood Road, and in close proximity to the George Best Belfast City Airport. Along the waterfront on Queen’s Road, you can enjoy the meticulously preserved maritime history, and exquisitely furnished rooms of the Titanic Hotel Belfast.
Cheap hotels in Belfast
Belfast boasts of several youth hostels all over the city. You have the Belfast International Youth Hostel, the Lagan Backpackers hostel, the Global Village hostel, and Vagabonds Belfast hostel, amongst many others. You also have several low budget hotels in the city. Stay at the Ramada Encore Belfast City Centre hotel which is a 2-minute walk from the cobbled Hill Street and right next to the buzzing Cathedral Quarter. On the Botanic Avenue in Queens Quarters, just a 1-minute walk from the Belfast Empire Music Hall, you have the charming, Crescent Townhouse Hotel. Around the corner, on Cromwell Road, you also have the Tara Lodge which features bright, airy rooms with modern amenities. In the heart of the city centre, consider the budget accommodation of Hotel ETAP Belfast on Dublin Road.