The Merchant Hotel Belfast

Belfast

The reputation for hospitality enjoyed by the Irish is not just another Celtic legend. It’s a concrete reality which anyone visiting Ireland can check out for himself. It’s important to point that out since clichés can sometimes conceal a totally different truth. Ireland however, was, is and always will be a nation with a big heart. It’s a land of humor, melancholy, deep historical wounds and rain. It’s a country that one visits with one’s emotions before intellectualizing about it. Visitors are struck by the people who talk a great deal about the past, while at the same time, invite you to see for yourself that 21^st century Ireland is resolutely turned towards the future.

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, embodies the dynamic nature of the country. It’s a unique city forever marked by the conflict opposing Protestants and Catholics. Although tensions have eased, the deep scars remain visible. Nevertheless, the city has an almost festive atmosphere and seems to function at breakneck speed as if to make up for lost time. The cathedral, the historical city center and the typically Irish pubs are among the attractions to discover in Belfast, a city one gets attached to very quickly, thanks to the same charm that pervades all of Ireland.

Splendor and decadence

The Merchant Hotel is a five-star boutique hotel located in the historical center of Belfast. The building, opened in 1860, was originally a bank, and its flamboyant style, between Victorian grandeur and refined Art Déco, was retained in creating the hotel. The Merchant offers guests in search of exclusivity, a small, luxurious temple in the heart of the Northern Ireland capital. Visitors are welcomed into an historic building, but one with every possible modern comfort. Antique objects, cherubs and Baccarat chandeliers create a sumptuous environment without ever giving the impression of being kitsch.

One of the major features of the hotel is the Great Room restaurant, which is not only the finest in the city, but which also possesses the largest chandelier in Ireland.

The 25 rooms reflect the hotel’s two major influences: Deco Decadence and Victorian Splendor. The former represents a modern, design style with famous pieces of furniture like the Le Corbusier chair and the Bibendum chair by Eileen Gray. The Victorian Splendor manifests itself in a more classical approach, with high ceilings and fabrics like silk and velvet. The suites are named after well-known artists.

A final detail: The hotel’s gymnasium is located under the roof, offering guests a panoramic view of Belfast, providing well-bring for the eyes and the spirit before a treatment which concentrates on the well being of the body.