The Merchant Hotel is the splurge stay in Belfast and a destination in its own right. It occupies a magnificent Victorian building that was once the headquarters of a bank, and the grand public rooms, with their ornate plasterwork, chandeliers and soaring ceilings, still have the confidence of the city’s merchant age. Rated five stars by the AA, the hotel has 63 bedrooms divided between two very different styles: the original Victorian rooms, rich in fabrics, antiques and period detail, and the newer Art Deco rooms, which are larger, sleeker and inspired by the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s. Between them sit three restaurants and the multi-award-winning Cocktail Bar, one of the most celebrated places for a drink in Ireland. Wellness comes in the form of a luxurious spa and a rooftop gym with a hot tub that looks out over the city’s roofs and spires. The hotel marked its twentieth anniversary in 2026, and service is polished but warm.
Location and getting around: the hotel is at 16 Skipper Street in the Cathedral Quarter, the city’s oldest area and its liveliest for pubs, restaurants and live music. City Hall and the main shopping streets are about ten minutes’ walk away, St George’s Market is a similar stroll, and Titanic Belfast is around twenty-five minutes on foot along the river or a short taxi ride. The coaches for the Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones tours leave from Donegall Square, an easy walk in the morning.
Rooms: choose a Victorian room for period character and a sense of history, or an Art Deco room for more space, a contemporary bathroom and a glamorous 1930s mood. Rooms on the upper floors tend to be quieter than those overlooking the busier lanes.
Who it suits: couples on a celebration or honeymoon, travellers who want the best address in town, and anyone who enjoys a great cocktail bar on the doorstep. It is less suited to travellers on a tight budget or those who want a modern, minimalist feel throughout.
Good to know: the Cathedral Quarter is lively into the night, especially at weekends, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper. Check whether breakfast is included in your rate. Book the Cocktail Bar or a restaurant table ahead on Friday and Saturday evenings, and ask the hotel about parking options before you arrive with a car.
Why stay here
- ✓Victorian and Art Deco rooms
- ✓Three restaurants
- ✓Award-winning Cocktail Bar
- ✓Spa
- ✓Rooftop gym and hot tub
- ✓Grand Victorian public rooms
- ✓Cathedral Quarter location
- ✓AA five-star service
Good questions
How many rooms does The Merchant Hotel have?+
The Merchant has 63 bedrooms, in Victorian and Art Deco styles. The Art Deco rooms are generally larger and more contemporary.
Where is The Merchant Hotel in Belfast?+
It is at 16 Skipper Street in the Cathedral Quarter, the city’s liveliest area for bars and restaurants. City Hall is about ten minutes’ walk away.
Does The Merchant Hotel have a spa?+
Yes, it has a luxurious spa and a rooftop gym with a hot tub. Book treatments ahead, especially at weekends.
