35 Best Hotels in Northern Ireland

A mix of glorious Victorian grandeur and Art Deco–inspired modernity, this hotel—regarded by some as Ireland's most spectacular—was built as the headquarters of Ulster Bank in the mid-19th century and still leads the way in style and sophistication. Once past the exuberantly Italianate facade, made of formidable Giffnock sandstone and crowned with a dramatic group of sculptures, you are greeted with a marble riot of tall urns, fruit, foliage designs, and plump ebullient cherubs on show, climaxing in the magnificent Great Room restaurant (the former banking hall) with Ireland's biggest chandelier. Upstairs, the ornate guest rooms come with antique furnishings, works of art, rich fabrics, and enormous flat-screen TVs. Children can hear a recorded bedtime story, "The Children of Lir," specially narrated for the hotel by Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt. There's an underground spa with five treatment rooms and a champagne nail bar; afterward, repair to the cool Bert's Jazz Bar, which serves French bistro–style food—ranging from moules frites to chateaubriand—in an informal setting. Sink into the rooftop hot tub or while you work out in the gym enjoy panoramic views over the city skyline.

Best value room rates are available through online booking via the hotel website.

Restored from a historic city-center building that was once a gentleman's club, Bishop's Gate Hotel has kept its Edwardian craftsmanship and original architectural details but the plush rooms with velvet furnishings are all fit for the 21st century; just for fun, the guest rooms have retained their antique telephones with rotary dials—and yes, they do work. The bathroom soaps, shampoos, and gels from the Happy Buddha Rituals range produce a scent of Asian incense leaving you with a feel-good factor. The Wig and Gown Champagne Bar and dining areas have kept original fireplaces and exquisite wood paneling. They are the perfect locations to enjoy a cocktail or a meal with such dishes as duck breast, guinea fowl, or sea bream. Afternoon tea is served in the Hervey Library where the wing chairs create a hushed atmosphere. Special rates are often available online for a package stay of one night or more. In the reception, look out for the chest sculpture, "St James," a shirt pattern created from clay by the ceramic artist Tom Agnew. It commemorates the shirt industry in the city in the 1930s and one of the biggest firms, McIntrye, Hogg, Marsh & Co., whose history stretched back to 1844. If time permits it is also worth seeking out what is nicknamed "The Siege Well," which provided fresh drinking water to people in 1689. A member of the staff will show you the well, which can be seen in a back room of the hotel, and is thought to be one of the most ancient in Ireland.

This imposing, grand vision in Belfast stone presides over the forested slopes of the Holywood hills and the busy waters of Belfast Lough. Antiques and silk-and-velvet fabrics grace guest rooms, which—thanks to a £1 million renovation in 2017—have increased in size; all rooms have fine views. The famed Cloud Beds by King Koil come with a deep pillow-top layer and pocket-sprung mattresses that conform to your body shape, providing extra back support and ensuring a sound night's sleep. Topped off with a storybook turret and crenellated tower, the Scottish Baronial mansion, built in 1876, was greatly enlarged in the early 20th century when it was given as a residence to the bishops of Down. In 1969, it was transformed into a hotel and now ranks as one of Ireland's finest. The restyled Vespers restaurant, refurbished in 2019, has been given a smart look in delicate shades of sky blue and serves dishes such as Mourne Mountain lamb, Atlantic cod, fillet of beef or wild mushroom and truffle risotto. Light bites and drinks are available in the newly located Lough bar---with its jazzy swirling blue carpets bringing a splash of bright color---where visitors can enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of Belfast Lough to the accompaniment of a pianist on weekends. Here you may sample one of the 21 different types of gin such as Bombay Sapphire or Shortcross, which is Northern Ireland's first gin, distilled in small batches and resonating with an aromatic and smooth long finish. The hotel is close to both the village of Holywood (temptingly filled with boutiques and tearooms) and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Or spend the afternoon at the upgraded hotel spa, a glamorous Beverly Hills–type affair.

An elegant Georgian inn dating from 1803, this historic building sits next to picture-perfect, grandly gracious Killyleagh Castle—reputedly the longest-inhabited castle in Ireland and arguably the country's prettiest. Formerly a bank, the inn happily retains original fittings, with Art Deco windows, mahogany doors, and a Wells Fargo door on the gent's toilet (formerly a strong room). The design is tasteful while the lush and cozy rooms are individually styled and were given a paint makeover during 2019; three have king-size four-poster beds and whirlpool baths. The owner supplies tourist information and gives you a map to discover the dreamy shores of Strangford Lough on foot, by bike, or by car. The restaurant--bar next door—a separately run business—has a rustic feel to it with friendly snugs (cubicles), and folk and bluegrass music keeping things lively on Saturday afternoon (from 4 pm) and late evening, and serves appetizing meals for lunch and dinner.

The original Italianate house dates from the 1850s, but the completion of a £10 million renovation pushed this manor house resort into the premier league. The swish deluxe rooms and suites come in warm tones with king-size beds, leather Rolf Benz seating, soft lighting, and balconies. In the 160 acres of estate grounds you may practice archery, and shoot clay pigeons. Full privileges at an 18-hole golf course, a mere five minutes from the hotel, is an added treat. The River Maine (good for brown trout) flows within view of many of the large rooms, and you can ask for a day permit to fish on-site. The notable gin and cocktail library bar boasts several hundred varieties of "mother's ruin," and at 6:30 pm each day there's a 45-minute tasting with three gin cocktails for £25. For those drinkers not content with the gin selection, the hotel opened a new whiskey bar in 2019—McKendry's lounge bar boasts an encyclopedic collection of more than 300 varieties of whiskey from 21 countries, along with some toe-tapping Irish traditional music on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Dining options include traditional Irish and the Fratelli Italian Ristorante or the newly opened Castle Kitchen, a barbecue smokehouse serving lunch and dinner with a wraparound horseshoe bar. Try the Hammered Heron, which is a crisp, light-tasting lager made by the resort's own microbrewery. A spa contains 12 treatment rooms, five climate rooms, heated loungers, and an outdoor hot tub and Jacuzzi pool. On the grounds, a thunderous foaming waterfall creates a natural ambience, while ancient multilimbed trees, a pergola with climbing clematis, ornamental urns, and fragrant gardens with mature plants complete the serene scene. Galgorm is a springboard for exploring the nearby Dark Hedges road famed for its appearance in the Game of Thrones TV series, as well as the coast, glens, and attractions of Belfast.

What awaits at this lovely traditional inn are ivy-clad walls, gorgeous antiques, regional paintings, prints and maps, rare whiskeys, and lots of fresh flowers—all time-burnished accents well befitting an estate once inhabited by Sir Winston Churchill. Located beside Carnlough harbor on the edge of a peaceful bay at the foot of Glencloy, the second of the beautiful nine glens of Antrim on the celebrated Causeway coastal route, this 1848 hotel was built as a coaching inn by the Marchioness of Londonderry. In 1921 Sir Winston, a great-grandson of the original owner, inherited the hotel, which is now owned and run by the gregarious Denise O'Neill. Georgian furnishings and luxurious fabrics—we love the ultrachic French Nobilis wallpaper with its historic scenes on the ground and first floors—are immaculately kept. During 2019, the bedrooms were reconfigured but still retain their Connemara-made furniture. Choose from rooms with a sea view, family rooms, cozier rooms, the Glencloy room (one of the most spacious), or the Churchill room (No 114) which is more isolated. The Frances Anne restaurant serves substantial, traditional Irish meals, while lighter dishes and snacks are available in the bar-bistro. The newly designed Arkle Whiskey Bar specializes in rare malts, blends, and vintages from Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland. Arkle was a famed Irish thoroughbred racehorse which won three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups in England in the 1960s. Before you leave you can touch the lucky horseshoe worn by Arkle—and it is said that you too will enjoy good luck.

Set between two serene lakes on the small island of Ely, the manicured lawns of the Lough Erne Resort, with its backdrop of shimmering Castle Hume Lough, is a special property with a country-house feel in a mix of reconstituted sandstone and Danish timber. The lodges guarantee privacy, while the handsome guest rooms have an appealing warmth. The headliner is the 18-hole Faldo Course, (also known as the Lough Erne course), designed by the touring pro Nick Faldo, but a Thai spa and pool are among the other delights. Diners can enjoy the elegant Catalina restaurant, where a standout dish is the seared Lisdergan lamb rump with fermented black garlic, confit leek, port jus, and a kefir purée garnish. Golfers can choose from two 18-hole championship courses. The acclaimed Lough Erne course comes with five sets of tee boxes and can be played to suit any standard. But bear in mind that since you're in Fermanagh water comes into the equation, and while it may offer outstanding views, it also guards some greens. Visitors can explore the enchanting Collop Walk, a pathway that weaves around the golf course through woodlands, lakes, and greenery.

Living up to its claim to be "a hotel that dares to be different," this transformed 19th-century grain warehouse incorporates trendy decor choices, modern facilities, and elegant finishes, all the while retaining original details like cast-iron pillars, wood beams, and giant portholes (inside) and gargoyles (outside). The Chez Mal bar with moody neon brass birdcage lighting is appointed with suede chaises longues, mustard-colored sofas and chairs, and retro furnishings. Cocktails reflect the story of Napoleon and Josephine and are created by their own "Malchemists" (hotel version of mixologists). Rooms contain flat-screen TVs and DVD players, as well as comfortable beds with Egyptian-cotton linens in soft colors.

Originally a Victorian merchant's family home built to Georgian proportions, No. 16 Queen Street was then a rectory and bank, before Joan Pyne turned it into one of the city's grandest B&Bs—garnet-color walls, elaborate plasterwork, and a fireplace make the parlor warm and cheerful. Bruno, a handsome bulldog filled with energy and enthusiasm, welcomes visitors. The cellars have been renovated to include three en suite modern bedrooms. Don't miss out on the homemade Seville-orange marmalade. Joan also owns a similar but smaller building three minutes' walk away called the Saddler's House. Enchanting and cozy, this Victorian jewel of a home—who can resist its picture-gallery red living room?—is packed with antiques and family portraits. Self-catering is also available at delightfully modernized Georgian town houses on Pump Street and London Street.

Set in the village of Crawfordsburn, this 1614 coach inn—reputedly Ireland's oldest—certainly looks the part: it's pure 17th century, with a sculpted thatch roof, half doors, and leaded-glass windows. As it was near one of the leading cross-channel ports linking Ireland and England, the coach always stopped here, sometimes bearing visitors with names such as Swift, Tennyson, Thackeray, Dickens, and Trollope. Superior bedrooms have 17th-century-style woodwork, sitting rooms, and faux-Jacobean beds and a gas fire, while public salons have beam ceilings and roaring log fires. In the refurbished Lewis Restaurant, named after C. S. Lewis, the Belfast-born author of The Chronicles of Narnia, you can tuck into slow-braised blade of beef with creamy mash or pan-seared sea bass fillet. Over the centuries, large portions of the inn were rebuilt, and the East Wing is a completely modern take on Irish Georgian style. You can also enjoy Victorian afternoon tea in the Parlour Bar for £20.

A lavish redbrick monument to Victoriana, this turreted hotel, built in 1898, stands like a palace on green lawns at one end of Newcastle's 6½-km (4-mile) sandy beach; the traditional furnishings help make it feel like stepping back in time to the town's turn-of-the-20th-century heyday as an elegant seaside resort, though the bright guest rooms have modern comforts. Ask for a room overlooking the water from where the views of the mountains and sea are striking—although they cost £30 extra. Amenities include a stylishly designed 16-room spa complete with saunas, amethyst steam rooms, and vitality pools. During 2020, the spa rooms were refurbished but a highlight remains: the 110-minute Celtic Journey (£175) which begins with an Irish tea ritual before moving on to a sea-salt foot bath, an ocean wrap, and a back massage using seashells. For breakfast, the enormous buffet caters to all tastes with an assortment of 17 fastidiously sourced local artisanal ingredients from Annalong kippers, Malachy McKenna mushrooms, and waggle dance honey, to porridge with a drizzle of Bushmills whiskey or its very own "scuffins"—a cross between a scone and a muffin. Dinner and Sunday lunch are served in the Oak Restaurant. Chaplin's Bar is named after a visit to the hotel by Charlie Chaplin, who enjoyed its comforts for a weekend in 1921. The Royal County Down Golf Club is next door.

The former drawing office headquarters of Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Titanic plans were created has been repurposed with panache and is now a stylish hotel that honors its nautical heritage. The long, three-story office block in brick and red sandstone—one of Northern Ireland's most historic buildings and the oldest remaining structure of the shipbuilding industry—was built in stages between 1906 and 1922; it closed in 1989 and stood derelict for three decades before re-opening as a hotel. Bedrooms, in elegant creams and grays, range from standard doubles to a superior suite and come with Art Deco furniture and nautical themes such as hanging ship's lanterns, riveted door panels, and maritime artwork. The beds are dressed in Egyptian cotton with natural-fiber pillows. Rooms have stunning views of either the new Titanic Building, which fills your window or, on the other side, the shipyard's giant yellow cranes. Dining options include the Wolff Grill, or Drawing Office, as well as the Titanic Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy a Titanic Caesar salad (£10) or White Star chicken burger (£12.50). In the long main bar, alongside yucca plants and eight specially commissioned paintings of liners on the walls by the celebrated local artist Colin Davidson, you can drink in the atmosphere created through striking skylights as you sip a Millvina Dean cocktail (£11.50), named in honor of the last survivor of the sinking, who died in 2009. The bar is lined with cream and blue tiles—exactly the same as those that adorned the doomed liner's swimming pool—incredibly, a batch left over turned up 100 years later and was put to use. Look out, too, for the exquisite replica model of the liner in a glass cabinet at one end of the bar. In the ornate Presentation Room on the first floor, where plans were shown to clients and that overlooks the drawing office, visitors are free to wander around and admire the artifacts and furnishings. The building exudes the legacy of Belfast’s industrial heritage—even the telephone exchange, which received the first communication of Titanic hitting the iceberg, has been retained. A guided Discovery Tour from Titanic Belfast incorporates a walk through the hotel's public areas, but you may wish to come back and spend more time; if so, allow at least an hour to absorb the immaculate conservation work. Ask at hotel reception for the free art and heritage self-guided trail leaflet that outlines the history of the building.

Connoisseurs of sea views love this little mock-baronial castle, originally built by a Scottish lord in 1625. Bedrooms in the castle have retained beamed ceilings but the furnishings are somewhat bland, if comfortable. Ask for a room in a turret—they are named after four of the nine Antrim glens—and one comes complete with milady's ghost. Eighteen deluxe rooms decorated in green and purple have what the hotel classifies as "five-star coastal views," which come at a premium, though you also get super--king beds, a separate shower and bath, and bath robes. Depending on how busy the hotel is, the extra cost for the sea view rooms varies from £40 to £50. On Saturday, a decent set-menu dinner in the Garden Restaurant is served to musical accompaniment, while a Sunday bistro meal is also available in the Kintyre Room. The hotel offers Game of Thrones packages that include an evening banquet or Game of Thrones afternoon tea served with Winterfell jaffa cakes, Kingslayer cupcakes, and Sansa Stark's lemon cakes along with finger sandwiches (£24). After a storm in 2016, the wood from several beech trees at the Dark Hedges road (filmed as Kingsroad) was made into ornately carved wooden Game of Thrones doors. Door No. 9 at the entrance to the restaurant depicts a battle featuring hungry dogs and crests of House Bolton and House Stark. Check the website for good value gourmet mini breaks available at certain times of the year.

Journey past a fairy-tale gatehouse amid clumps of beech trees, streams, and a duck pond to reach this grand 1729 country home in 32 acres of woodland. Rooms in the old building are decorated in Georgian style, while the 10 rooms in the extension are larger and contemporary. Ask for an upgrade to a superior room for a king-size bed. Dining options include the stylish Ardmore restaurant or the new Sixteen 22 Bistro where you can see the original walls of the manor house along with the authentic stone floor. Burgers, ribs, fish and lamb, as well as lasagne or cauliflower-based vegetarian dishes are on the menu. A museum celebrates the fact that Beech Hill housed a contingent of U.S. Marines during World War II, when it became part of "Base One Europe." The hotel's museum has been selected for an award by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in Quantico, Virginia. Signposted walking trails of the grounds (print and audio guides available) take you past sites where the Marines spent time. It's a 30-minute walk from the hotel to Ebrington Square and the Peace Bridge (which takes you to the other side of the city) and is worth the effort.

Friendly, lively, and convenient, Benedict's looms large on Bradbury Place in the heart of the action beside the bright lights of Shaftesbury Square. Guest rooms on the second floor have wooden floors and soft pastel decor; the simple but comfortable carpeted rooms on the third floor are darker. Beds are fitted out with Egyptian-cotton sheets, feather-topped mattresses, and plush goose-down duvets. If you don't feel like straying too far from your home base for some nightlife, Benedict's has a buzzing bar and restaurant serving fine Continental food. The "beat the clock" promotion is a good deal: before 7 pm all main-course prices are £7.

An elegant 18th-century country house with mature gardens, this is the ideal place to feel the fresh sea breezes and sample the delights of Newcastle and the surrounding mountainous countryside. The owner greets you on arrival with complimentary tea or coffee and shows you to your well-appointed room. The four deluxe rooms are decorated in pastel shades with a feature wall of pink or gray, and all beds come with opulent Royal Coil mattresses. These rooms cost £20 more than the standard rooms. The hotel is ideally placed for exploration of forest parks such as Tollymore, strolling on the nearby beach in Newcastle, a 15-minute walk, cycling or hill walking in the Mourne Mountains.

This centrally located hotel takes its trendy vibes (and name) from the "King of Cool," Steve McQueen, and delivers a no-frills experience with compact rooms. Back in the 1970s at the height of the Troubles, the thought of opening a hotel in Belfast and calling it the Bullitt would have been greeted with dark humor. But since it opened in 2017, the hotel has been a hit with locals and visitors. Rooms, although on the small side, are named in three sizes: Dinky, Comfy, and Roomy have king-size beds, bathrooms with rain showers, and a daily "grub to-go" bag with fruit, granola, and OJ. Beds in the extension, opened in 2018, are twins and doubles. Much to guests' amusement, the elevator delivers announcements in the Belfast vernacular: "Ground floor, so it is." The Bullitt boasts the babel rooftop bar and garden (for cocktails and the famed Typsy Tea), a ski-themed Baltic bar, an espresso bar, and a 58-seat restaurant, Taylor & Clay, named in honor of Steve McQueen's San Francisco address in the 1968 movie from which the hotel takes its name. McQueen himself entered lore when a woman tried to make off with a giant framed print of the star, valued at £15,000, from the bar shortly after the hotel opened. When it wouldn't fit into her car, she abandoned it on the street. The picture has since been secured firmly to the wall to prevent a repeat of the incident.

This comfortable old coach inn dating from the 1600s welcomes with peat fires and cozy rooms; the master distiller's suite even comes with fluffy slippers and bathrobes. Eight rooms have been upgraded to Millhouse Deluxe and come with stylish bathrooms, luxury Elemis toiletries, walk-in showers, and are more expensive. In the family rooms, children can climb a ladder to a mezzanine area with two full-size beds. For a lively dining start, try the Guinness-and-onion soup followed by a selection of meat and fish dishes that may include haunch of venison, duck breast, North Coast sea bass, vegetable katsu curry, or whiskey-cured salmon—you're in Bushmills after all, and they like to remind you. With its soft illumination and intimate snugs, the Gas Bar is the ideal place to appreciate the 25-year-old Bushmills malt whiskey from the hotel's own private cask.

Owned by the U.K.'s National Trust and flaunting a stunning location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this 1840s hotel is less than a half mile from the celebrated Giant's Causeway. Older rooms have been fully refurbished and freshened with a calming shade of duck-egg blue. The main restaurant has bright furnishings and serves food noon–3:30 and 5–8:30. Warming dishes on a cold day may include chowder, sirloin steak, a selection of fish, or goat cheese penne pasta.

A 10-minute stroll from the city center, the Clayton has a lively bar and restaurant, Avenue 22, but if you wish to venture out, there's a great choice of restaurants, bars, and cafés nearby. The hotel has a variety of good-value packages, one of which includes two night's B&B and tickets for a Game of Thrones bus tour along the Antrim coast.

Although it retains its distinguished redbrick Victorian facade, the inside of this handsome hotel on bohemian Botanic Avenue has been revamped in a cool contemporary style with chic, modern guest rooms. The hotel is popular both with weekenders and the smart business set. Villeroy & Boch bathrooms add bliss with drench showers, while swank and comfy Rolf Benz swivel armchairs are added bonuses. The main public areas, including the bar and restaurant, have been refreshed and renamed The Practitioner in honor of an eccentric physician who dedicated his life to studying botanicals. Some cocktails are inspired by his herbal interests. The hotel's location is perfect: Queen's University and the Botanic Gardens are a five-minute stroll away, and if you want to eat out you can wander the leafy streets and choose from Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian, and Irish restaurants.

During 2019 this hotel underwent a transformation, which has elevated it into a new league for visitors, although it has a strong corporate feel. All the bedrooms, from the most humble single to the spacious king executive, were revitalized, and many now come with rainfall showers, USB ports, and individual Wi-Fi hubs. When booking, ask for a room that leads through French windows on to an inner courtyard and newly landscaped gardens. Earlier renovations made use of large wooden components from the old mill's massive linen beetling (polishing) engines both in the stairwell and in a gallery over the bar. The restaurant is a popular spot for weddings, so you may find yourself in the midst of a real Irish celebration. All public areas, including the newly named Millrace restaurant, bar, and function room were renovated in 2019.

Centrally located in a dignified historic building, The Flint offers guests compact studio-suites with self-catering facilities (including microwave ovens and dishwashers) along with perks such as fluffy bathrobes and luxurious rain showers.

Alongside a convenient location near the international airport and many of Belfast and County Antrim's leading visitor attractions—the Giant's Causeway is just an hour's drive—the Hilton adds modern amenities and an 18-hole championship golf course among 220 acres of wooded parkland. Rooms are spacious and stylish and an upgrade to a suite comes with a king-size bed, slippers and fluffy bathrobes. Fitness fans are well catered for with a gym, pool, steam room, sauna and tennis courts.

Step inside this city-center hotel and you will feel the refreshing glow of a place that has been given a £9 million makeover and upped its game. The bar and restaurant have benefited from a crisp new look, while the reception has introduced self-check-in kiosks to help speed up the process at busy times. But it's the 80-bedroom extension that steals the show, where pebble-gray decor and burnt-orange furnishings set the scene. Most coveted are the spacious executive rooms, which along with the superior rooms, are stylishly dressed with king-size beds, a/c, walk-in showers, individual toiletries, and free soft drinks. Each new room is also decorated with a large wallpaper mural showing local landmarks. The Kitchen menu is perfectly adequate for dinner (rather than the more formal restaurant) and showcases burgers, chicken, artisanal pizzas, and a range of healthy options including Greek, Caesar, or farmhouse salads at an average price of £17. But if you wish to venture out, there is a vast choice of eateries on your doorstep and attractions such as the Grand Opera House one block away.

A long-established hotel within the historic walls, the Maldron is ideally suited for exploration of the city center and for guided walking tours. All guest rooms have been refurbished in shades of gray and gold with crisp cotton duvets. Ponying up for the spacious comfort of a superior room is worth the extra cost, and when booking, do request a room with a view. The Lyric Bar l houses a permanent display on the history of the city's music, featuring performers as diverse as the Undertones, Dana, and Phil Coulter. Live bands carry on the tradition in the bar on weekends. The Grain and Grill à la carte menu includes chicken, burgers, pastas, and a crowd-pleasing rib eye steak coated with Jack Daniel's sauce.

Belfast International Airport is a considerable distance from the city center, so this modern hotel opposite the terminal is a good option for travelers arriving late at night or catching an early-morning flight. There's a comfortable lounge bar and the Grand and Grill restaurant is adequate.

Overlooking the harbor, this comfortable hotel is an ideal overnight stop en route to or from Rathlin Island. Rooms and public areas are painted soothing summery shades of blue and grey and some rooms have perks like four-poster beds and whirlpool baths. Marconi's bar and bistro, on the ground floor, has harbor views and serves afternoon tea as well as lunch and dinner from an a la carte menu.

More like an upscale B&B than a full-service hotel, No.11, in the heart of the university quarter, is part of a dignified terrace or red sandstone town houses and offers comfortable, quiet rooms. Off-street secure parking (not offered by many Belfast hotels) is a real bonus, and there's a shared kitchen and lounge.