Best Luxury 4 Star Hotels in Northern Ireland

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.

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.

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.

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.