Sparkling jewel in Belfast’s crown

Travel Reports

Monday, 13 February 2012

ANGELA TAGGART takes a weekend break in Belfast city centre....

WELL, it's world class and it's right on your doorstep. Hilton Belfast really is a jewel in the crown of our capital city.

The then £23m hotel was opened in 1998, the year of the Good Friday Agreement, and has emerged in the past decade as an icon of the new Northern Ireland.

As next year's Titanic centenary rapidly approaches, the five-star Hilton is set to play host to guests from across the globe. And I'm sure it will prove a great ambassador for the province.

It has just received a five-million pound refurbishment and is ship-shape for a big year for tourism here.

Thing is, you don't have to come from far afield to lap up a luxury getaway ... We've dined there many times, been at functions, business meetings and press conferences, but never actually stayed overnight.

What a mistake!

A short break at Hilton Belfast a couple of weeks ago showed us just what we have been missing for the past 12 and a half years.

In the words of one American guest paying his first visit to these shores, the Hilton Belfast is "awesome, just awesome, the best Hilton I've been to, and I've been to a few."

So what makes it so good?

The staff, the facilities, the food, the location ... and for our party the oasis of the Executive lounge! That's not to mention the Executive Suites with breathtaking river views.

Let's take it from the top. On arrival, whether you're from Canada or Cullybackey you are guaranteed a warm welcome at reception.

Car safely parked next door, we checked in and went to our Executive Room where guests enjoy Executive Lounge access and the stunning river-view corner suites overlook the historic Harland & Wolff shipyard, builders of the one and only Titanic.

If you don't fancy that (why not?!) all Hilton rooms are of the highest standard with air conditioning and river or mountain views.

So, here's a potted diary of our enjoyable stay.

Night one - straight to the Executive Lounge, a chat with a family from Toronto (more happy customers), followed by complimentary snacks and drinks and we were set for the night.

To read the rest of Angela Taggarts's feature on a Belfast break and see all the pictures, pick up a copy of Northern Ireland Travel News...

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