The best hotels in Belfast

June 22, 2026
Travel

During the decades of strife which locals quaintly called the Troubles, the only hotel in Belfast doing much business was the Europa, the most bombed hotel in Western Europe (33 times, since you ask). Today, you’re spoiled for choice for places to stay in a city reborn, from basic budget chains to sumptuous five-star luxury, with some quirky and unique boutique hotels in between.

And the good news is that wherever you stay, the city is compact enough to see the sights on foot. For foodies, there are two Michelin-starred restaurants, and countless others which are more affordable but hugely satisfying.

For nightlife, cobbled Hill Street in the Cathedral Quarter is the buzzing heart of the city’s nightlife, and for culture, there’s a great live-music scene and some memorable museums such as Titanic, honouring the great doomed liner which was built here, and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museums.

How we review

All our reviewers are either resident destination experts or travel writers that specialise in hotels. Often they will have stayed at a hotel many times and so can see how it has changed for better or worse over the years. They know what makes a great hotel in that particular destination and will compare it contextually against local competition. When our reviewers first visit a hotel, they stay for at least one night, eat one meal in addition to breakfast and will experience all of the facilities on offer. Whichever category of room they stay in, they will see the entry-level rooms in order to assess them.

After their stay, our reviewers then give the hotel six scores out of 10, rating its location, style and character, service and facilities, rooms, food and drink, and value for money. The average of these scores then determines the overall score. Our experts then select reviews for curated lists like this – the best hotels in a particular destination for families, for instance – together with the Telegraph Hotels team.