5 Best Hotels in Derry, Northern Ireland

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.

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.

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.

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.

This elegant Italianate building, built in 1895 for the Provincial Bank of Ireland, has contemporary bedrooms over five floors. It's worth asking for an upper-floor room, as some have views over the old City Walls or the River Foyle. For diners, the restaurant matches the hotel's overall elegance, with a modern Irish menu. The all-you-can-drink weekend brunch at £28, including as many Bellini's, bloody Mary's, mimosas, and glasses of prosecco as you can put away in two hours, is an attractive offer (if you're not planning to drive later).