Best Luxury Hotels in Northern Ireland

Part of the Hastings Hotel group, this 180 room resort is found in Newcastle, County Down, on the edge of the Mountains of Mourne. The prestigious Royal County Down Golf Club sits on one side, with a scenic sandy beach on the other. Slieve Donard has hosted visitors for over a century, with the more recent additions of a luxe mountain view spa and gym. The decor here is traditional, with splashes of bold colour and uber-comfy ‘cloud’ beds. There are three dining options – the formal Oak Restaurant, the Lighthouse Lounge specialising in healthy options and the cosy Percy French Inn, named after the composer of the song The Mountains of Mourne.

Surrounded by 163 acres of lush parkland, next to the river Maine and just 30 minutes north of Belfast International Airport in County Antrim, lies the incredible Galgorm Hotel and Thermal Village. The luxurious accommodation options are paired up with award-winning dining and its pièce de résistance is the onsite thermal village with an extensive selection of riverside hot tubs, indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam rooms and saunas. Galgorm has attracted many a celebrity with its five-stars, triple AA-Rosette restaurant, award-winning spa treatments and butler service yet it has a laid-back feel, befitting its relaxed countryside locale. We cannot rate this hotel highly enough for a break in Northern Ireland.

A five-star all-suite resort located beside Royal Portrush Golf Club on Northern Ireland’s dramatic Causeway Coast. The 35-suite property offers exceptional views, refined interiors, and tailored hospitality. Suites are generously sized and thoughtfully appointed with high-end amenities and locally inspired touches. Facilities include Bailiú restaurant serving locally sourced fine dining, a whiskey-led bar, a tranquil spa, and a putting green designed by Martin Ebert. With direct access to Royal Portrush and transfers to nearby courses, plus close proximity to the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Distillery, it’s a superb base for golfers, gastronomes, and explorers alike.

Take a five-star, opulent break in Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter. The Merchant Hotel is housed in a palatial Victorian Grade A listed building (once Ulster Bank HQ), with a glamorous Art Deco wing. Admire the skyline as you unwind in the modern rooftop jacuzzi or work up a sweat in the gym with a view. There’s an abundance of eateries on the doorstep, but inside guests can dine in splendour at The Great Room Restaurant, drink in the award-winning Cocktail Bar or the Cloth Ear. The Merchant is also home to the only live jazz bar in the city and an exclusive fashion boutique.

Built at the turn of the twentieth century, this central Derry hotel pays homage to its location and history in its artworks and carefully restored interiors. Bishop’s Gate was once a gentleman’s club, hosting luminaries including Winston Churchill and WB Yeats. Order drinks and food from the marble bar in Wig, and peruse the fireside portraits of these, and other, former club members, along with an enormous library of antique books. Formal meals are taken in Gown, a fancy candlelit French restaurant – named (like the bar) after the courthouse next door. The hotel also has a gym, 28 rooms and two suites, decorated in classic Edwardian hues.

Relive the Golden Age of Travel, with a stay at this art deco, nautically-themed hotel just across from the Titanic Experience. It may be a new venue, having opened its doors in 2017, but the building has a long history. This was once the headquarters of Harland & Wolff (the maritime engineers responsible for most of the White Star ocean liners), a heritage reflected in the hotel restaurant’s title. Indeed, the waterfront’s history is woven throughout – lookout for details like the stunning Titanic model in the Harland Bar. The venue received three gongs at this year’s Irish Hotel Awards and was named Northern Ireland’s Leading Hotel in 2020’s World Travel Awards.

Originally intended as an abode for the Bishops of Down, this 19th-century estate is found on the outskirts of Belfast. The historic grandeur of the building is contrasted with a modern extension, in the form of the ESPA spa with steam room and hammam. 98 spacious bedrooms provide plenty of room for king-sized beds, desks and bathrooms with rainfall showers. It’s not unusual to find a pianist or harpist playing in the bar or accompanying a meal. And in addition to the top-notch cuisine in the main restaurant, there’s a cosy inn within the grounds, for a beer and bite beside a roaring fire.

Amidst the charm of the lively capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is your new favourite five-star hotel, The Fitzwilliam. Situated in the heart of the city, it is the ideal hub for your next stay, regardless of the occasion. With 146 rooms and suites, you can find comfort and tasteful contemporary design without even lifting a finger – elegant bathroom facilities, fluffy robes and Egyptian bed linens are just the start of your experience. The Fitzwilliam also provides facilities for any kind of trip to the big city, from luxurious dining experiences with the one you love to Afternoon Tea with your friends on a Girls’ Weekend. They also provide space for cocktail masterclasses, murder mystery events, and private dining which is guaranteed to impress you. Regardless of the why, or the who… choose to conquer Belfast in style by staying at The Fitzwilliam.

Breathing new life into a restored Victorian landmark, The Marcus Portrush marks Hilton’s Tapestry Collection debut in Northern Ireland. Overlooking the Atlantic in the charming seaside town of Portrush, this 80-room hotel blends local storytelling with a playful spirit, offering guests a stay steeped in creativity and coastal character. Inspired by the fictional explorer Marcus, interiors are filled with bold illustrations, maritime curiosities and rich textures. The result is an immersive space where history, whimsy and design come together. Younger guests receive a complimentary copy of The Adventures of Marcus, encouraging exploration from the moment they arrive.

The building, which once served as a hotel and artisan bakery for nearly a century, has undergone an £11 million renovation that carefully preserves period features such as original floor mosaics and the tiled façade. Bedrooms are bright and contemporary with nods to the nautical setting, while bathrooms feature elegant green tiling and walk-in showers. Dining is centred around Nemesis, the hotel’s Asian fusion restaurant, where classic dishes are reimagined with a twist. The Heritage Cocktail Bar channels the atmosphere of a harbour tavern with cosy corners, local spirits and inventive signature drinks like the Orra Margarita.

The three hundred rooms of the Grand Central Hotel proffer views over the Lagan Valley and the Mournes beyond. Found in the trendy Linen Quarter, the Hastings Group hotel is ideally placed for the city’s attractions and transport links. Founded in 1893, it became the social hub of Belfast, with guests including Winston Churchill, King Leopold of Belgium, Billy Graham, Al Jolson, Mario Lanza, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones having graced its luxurious suites. The Grand Central’s Seahorse Restaurant and 23rd-floor Observatory bar (Ireland’s tallest cocktail lounge) are destinations in their own right, loved by locals as well as visitors.

This landmark hotel has regularly played host to celebrities, VIPs and top-drawer events since its inception in 1971. Built on the site of the Great Northern Railway Station, it now accommodates an elegant piano lounge, a modern bistro (the Causerie Restaurant), extensive meeting facilities and 272 bedrooms – including family-friendly interlinking bedrooms. Guests can book the Clinton Suite, named after the political power couple who stayed in November 1995. And at 51-metres in height, it provides far-reaching vistas from the upper floors. Like the Titanic Hotel, it’s part of the illustrious Hastings Group and often used by film crews visiting the city – two series of a BBC documentary series, Lobby Lives, were shot here.

Situated in the historic Queen’s Quarter of Belfast – filled with tranquil parks and gardens – is the five-star boutique hotel that aims to redefine hospitality, Regency House. Providing a personalised experience, it makes for the perfect location for your next stay. With each of their suites and rooms being individually designed to provide the utmost privacy and exclusivity, you’ll have a hard time picking your favourite. While the luxurious rooms are located within the main house, with easy access to the culinary facilities and wellness suite, the Suites offer a private kitchen, dining area, and living space to create your perfect “home away from home”. Yet the Regency doesn’t shy away from its vibrant Northern Irish culture, hosting events for both guests and the public to enjoy regularly, including Barking Dog Sundays – a selection of beloved Sunday dishes and soothing background music – and Jazz Bruch, where you can be serenaded by the saxophone while together with your loved one. Embrace the history and deep culture of Belfast without leaving luxury at the door by staying at the Regency.