Malmaison

Malmaison Review

"A hotel that dares to be different," trumpets the promotional blurb for Malmaison, and they certainly live up to their claim. The renaissance of Belfast's industrial Laganside district was spearheaded in part by the spiffy renovation of the historic former McCausland Hotel. The stunning 19th-century grain warehouse has been transformed with low lighting, bold black-wood paneling, and velvet drapes, creating a modern Gothic feel. The bar—dubbed "Dracula's living room" by one wag—continues the moody but luxurious look, with red crushed velvet chairs and dark suede sofas. Oversize purple Alice in Wonderland-style furniture adds to the slightly surreal aesthetic. Swish bedrooms contain flat-screen TVs and DVD players, and comfortable beds with Irish linens in soft colors. In the restaurant, specialties include steak hand-chosen from the Duke of Buccleuch's estate in the Scottish Highlands. Some deluxe rooms were redecorated in 2010.