Excellent Hotel - Friendly Staff

We had a week-end in Belfast, staying one night at the Tara Lodge, and confirm everything other reviewers have said.

We arrived at 9.00am on Saturday morning and were a little concerned by the area, the Tara Lodge being in an area of student housing with some empty houses. Our taxi driver immediately reassured us, saying it was a hotel he would recommend.

Reception was very helpful, letting us leave our luggage and giving us advice on where to go. In our case Maggie Mays for breakfast, the Botanic Inn to watch the England Wales match and Paul Rankin's Cayenne restaurant for the evening meal.

We checked in later and our room was immaculate, having been refurbished around 12 months ago. A tip here. Breakfast has to be booked, at the week end at least, so that everyone gets good service and freshly cooked food. The later you check in the less choice of time as the good slots have gone. By the way, the breakfast was great.

Our room was very smart with tea and coffee making facilities, en-suite bathroom etc.

In summary, an excellent 4* bed and breakfast hotel, 15 minutes walk from Donegal square and the centre and 10 minutes from the Botanic gardens. For two it cost £65 for a double room with breakfast. Book it with confidence.

Good location near the university

I enjoyed my stay in Tara Lodge in late January. I arrived on an early morning flight and was allowed to check in early. The staff were professional. There were some snafus--notably, there was no hot water one morning because the heater broke. But it was repaired within a few hours.

The hotel is old-fashioned in feeling but I was told by my hosts in Belfast that it is fairly new in construction. It is much brighter and fresher than most British B&Bs I have stayed in. (It seems to be classified as a hotel, but the "feel" is B&B.) The room was immaculate and the bed was comfortable. The tiny TV was on a pole in the corner and (I don't have very good vision) I never even noticed that there was a TV in the room until my last night (of a three-night stay). I was busy with business so didn't spend much time in the room.

A train track is behind the hotel, so request a room in the front of the building. I could hear the train noise in the background when getting ready in the morning, but found my front-facing room very peaceful and restful at night.

The breakfasts were great--I love poached eggs, which are available, and I also loved their oatmeal. Their Ulster Fry I never tried, as they don't include the traditional Ulster potato scone that I love. I broke my veggie regimen to try their sausage, which is excellent if you like the mealy, Irish style sausage.

The day I left, the staff allowed me to store my luggage all day and pick it up in the evening. I liked Tara Lodge very much and will definitely book again if my life takes me to Belfast again.

Incidentally, anyone who is hesitating about this destination should feel confident that they will see a very interesting and historical place. I found Belfast quite beautiful. The people are understandably rather wary, but they are welcoming to strangers.

An earlier review said that the neighborhood was a bit scary. I didn't find it so in the least--the university is three blocks away. There are excellent Chinese and Greek restaurants within a block or two. I didn't try the Indian, and I didn't like Springsteens (the American one), but there are lots of nice dining choices. The hotel is located in a student area close to Queens University. If that's what you like--a "left bank" feel--then the location will be a good fit for you. I did quite a lot of shopping in the Central area (great Jan. sales--Belleek at half price!) and getting to central Belfast from Tara Lodge took only about 20 minutes of my slow strolling. The pleasant walk goes by the Golden Mile, the Crown Tavern, The Opera House, and the City Hall. There is a dour but servicable internet cafe (some name like Revelations?) about half way there.

I didn't think a B&B would have wireless access, but for a fee of a bit more than usual in the US, it is available at Tara Lodge.

Top Notch...

Stayed for one night to see a gig at the nearby Empire Music Hall...really excellent little hotel - staff helpful and welcoming, nice sized room spotless and quiet - loads of good bars and eating places all a short stroll away ...but best of all the Breakfast!...delicious after a night of overindulgence ;

Will definitely stay here again

2 nights for England Game

Well located for access to the City Centre a short walk away, Clean Tidy basic hotel. Again I would say the breakfast was very good and very well presented . . . 3 cherry tomatoes on an ulster fry was visually pleasing but a bit lackng . . . bacon sausage egg and soda bread were lovely.

Did find the area/location a little intimidating but I suppose your always going to find that in the middle of a City such as Belfast during an England v NI football match (especially when u loose - enough said about that).

Staff were also very friendly and we arrived on the 7am flight from Liverpool to International and were able to get into our rooms which were already prepared.

Well done TARA LODGE

Excellent .. Great Breakfast !

Stayed there 3rd Sept. Good secure car parking. Room was in immaculate condition. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was excellent... freshly prepared for us and took pride in their presentation. Will definitely be back

A really excellent hotel

The Tara Lodge in Belfast is a really excellent hotel found about ten minutes walk fron the city centre. I would especially recommend the excellent cooked breakfasts which were the best I have had in a long month of travelling. The staff were very helpful and the off street car parking was handy in a largely residential area. There are numerous good restaurants in the area, particularly chinese, and many bars too.

Good value/Central/Great Breakfast

We stayed at the Tara Lodge for one night in between Christmas and New Year 2004, just passing through.

I would say it was similar in comfort etc to a premier travel lodge. Comfy, clean and central.

The service was ok, efficient, not gushing but not rude either. We had a suprisinggly lovely cooked breakfast though, which I have to say was one of the nicest we had in Ireland (and we travelled all round).

I would say excellent value for money at £69 per room but don't stay if you want a posh area and luxury surroundings.

We would stay again if we were passing through.

Worst guest house

We arrived at GUEST HOUSE Saturday 5th feb 2005 we waited downstairs as room wasnt ready,then we were told to go up.When got to our room the maids husband was sitting in our bed and her kids were jumping on our beds.We waited for 15minutes outside and then went to reception.The manager was very rude when we explained what happened and started bawling at reception.After this we decided we did not want to stay.We cudnt leave as bookes through active hotels so we were forced to pay the commision they would have taken of the hotel.

We have stayed in plenty guest houses but never experienced rudeness from staff after we just landed.

Manager has to take customer service course before letting anyone in the front door.

Great place to stay

My husband and I stayed just the one night while we were on business in Belfast. The room was very clean and comfortable. We had secure parking and the staff were very helpful. The hot cooked breakfast was excellent and we had a choice of more exotic fare than the traditional Ulster Fry. It is close to Botanic Rail Station, Queen's University, Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum and the excellent restaurants, bars and cafes around Botanic, Stranmillis and Great Victoria Street. There is a good bus service and it is easy to walk into the city centre from here. I would highly recommend the Tara Lodge and with its very reasonable prices it would be the first place I would think of if I had to plan a stay in Belfast.

Great Service

The Tara lodge is situated in a really nice part of town. The room was slightly small but very nicely laid out. The food was very good. I had a business meeting at 08:00 the next day and although I couldn't have a cooked breakfast at the time I was leaving, an effort was made to provide me with as much as they could and I really appreciated the effot. The outstanding feature was the extra mnile that the staff went to. Looking up train times, booking taxis. checking weather forcasts, providing breakfast at an ungodly hour. I managed to get a really good deal with them too over the net and would thoroughly recommend them and would go back there.