Getaways Guide Blog™

Belfast City, Northern Ireland (Review #1) –

Travelling off-peak or during shoulder season is one of the best ways to find excellent deals for holidays. I was fortunate enough to find one such deal with none other than the Hilton in Belfast. Built and opened in 1998 and renovated in 2020, the hotel is conveniently located within the heart of Belfast, with excellent connections via public transport (bus/gliders/rail). The hotel was opened by none other than the Duke of Edinburgh himself, which a plaque in the hotel lobby very proudly highlights. I paid £115/€130 per night to stay in their standard king room, with breakfast included. This was a great price, with the hotel room’s price easily at double or more on busier months. The property is given a 4.3/5.0 as per Google, with this serving as my first ever overnight stay in a Hilton hotel and also Belfast in general.

Arrival and Check-In
The hotel is on a cul‑de‑sac right beside the River Lagan. The lobby was a decent size and while neither large nor grandiose, it was by no means as packed. Check-in was handled at a good pace, with the receptionist being incredibly helpful in providing insights about the hotel and its amenities completely unprompted. This, to me, made my stay feel a bit more elevated and personal. A deposit of £50/€55 was requested, and even though I know of some hotels that incorporate this as a standard practice, this was my first time to have ever been asked for such. Also on the ground floor are the executive lounge for those with certain tiers of elite Hilton status and the hotel’s own restaurant, which I unfortunately did not get to try outside of breakfast.

The Room
The room was modern and sleek, and more than spacious for a solo traveller like myself. The room was equipped with a truly massive king bed with pleasantly soft pillows, a large flatscreen TV, a sizable desk and chair, and a cozy armchair by the window overlooking the Waterfront Hall. Also present were a minifridge with coffee offerings, a decent-sized closet, an iron and ironing board, and a hairdryer. The only dated item in the room that I could ascertain was the thermostat, which didn’t display the temperature, but honestly did not require adjustment at any point during my stay. The bathroom contained a modern sink, a toilet with quilted toilet paper, and a combined shower and tub, with the complimentary Crabtree toiletries that I’m told are usually expected for flagship Hilton properties. Furthermore, the room featured free fast WiFi (100mbps, with premium WiFi available separately), dozens of mostly British and Irish TV channels, and several power outlets throughout the quarters.

Amenities and Dining
The breakfast buffet at this Hilton was rather hearty, and the staff went out of their way to tour me, as a regular guest with no elite status, around all of the food and drinks selections. It was a typical breakfast offering for the British Isles, which included sausages, bacon, potatoes and hash browns, toast, cereals, eggs, and pastries, but the presentation was indeed sublime with excellent quality and quantity. In terms of general amenities, the hotel has an onsite gym with the essentials required for a decent workout. There were no other amenities onsite unfortunately, but being located quite close to the action in Belfast certainly helps.

Trip Conclusion
Check-out at the end of my trip was swift and pleasant, with the staff again being exceptional in assisting with the process and even offering to arrange a car for pick up if needed. The deposit was confirmed to be provided back in full in the weeks that would follow my stay.

Overall Assessment
Hotels rated by Getaways Guide are judged across 5 key criteria: namely: Room, Soft Product, Food, Amenities, and Price. As detailed, the hotel room was excellent for the price paid and came equipped with everything needed for comfortable getaway, 5/5 stars. The staff were some of the nicest and most professional I have ever witnessed and my compliments go to them for the enjoyable experience, 5/5 stars. The buffet was also of good quality with a decent selection for premium hotels in the UK and Ireland, 4/5 stars. Amenities admittedly fall a bit short in terms of range but the gym was sufficiently equipped at the very least, 3/5 stars. Lastly, the price of £115/€130 in total for this well-located 4-star property was exceptional, though there were other 4-star hotels that offered a similar price at this juncture, 4/5 stars. Overall, my first time at a Hilton Hotel was truly a delightful experience, and I would not hesitate to stay here again in the future.

4.0 Stars (Getaways Guide Recommended)
★★★★☆

Added Insights
The hotel’s setting in Belfast makes for easy access to noteworthy landmarks such as Belfast City Hall, St. George’s Market, and Victoria Place. There are also a number of outstanding murals one could see on a personal walking tour of the city centre. If in Belfast for a longer period of time, the proximity to the Lanyon Place Rail Station makes day trips to Derry / Londonderry, Cultra, and Bangor very feasible.