Belfast building a reputation for fine hotels

Rooftop bars, celebrity chefs and opulence are to the fore as city skyline evolves to cater to booming tourism industry

General manager Stephen Meldrum (right) celebrates the opening of the Grand Central, with concierge Jonathan Wade

The £53 million Grand Central Hotel, with 304 bedrooms, was developed by Northern Ireland’s largest hotel operator, Hastings Hotels, and saw the transformation of the plain-looking Windsor House office building in the city’s Linen Quarter.

Its new 22nd floor bar will itself become a visitor attraction, thanks to its views over the city and Belfast Lough. Hastings now has seven hotels in its portfolio.

In March, Dalata opened the four star, 237-bedroom Maldron ...