Different Class

Well now, this place is a different proposition altogether... The buildings are amazing, the interior is jaw-dropping and the rooms are luxurious - bathrooms outstanding and well stocked with fine toiletries! The staff are unbelievably helpful and will accomoadate your needs and wishes without question. Now, of course this comes at a price - it is not cheap, but there is no feeling of stuffiness. There are a few poseurs strutting about and making a show of being there simply *because* it is expensive, but these 'Del Boy ' types are easily ignored.

Pop next door to The Spaniard for a pint or 2 with the student / indie crowd then retire to the luxury of your room for snooze.

There is no better place to stay around Belfast, it's in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter and is helping to bring people back into the city centre after many, many barren years!

Service lets it down

Stayed in the Merchant on 30th September 2006. This hotel has undoubtedly been finished to perfection. A little too dark for my liking but fits in well with the overall style.

We had to wait over an hour to check in as our room wasn't ready - a bit disappointing but hey we headed to the bar to sample a few of the coctails. What was most surprising was the fact that cleaning staff were freely dragging vacuum cleaners and other cleaning products through the bar and the restaurant area - not what you would expect from a hotel of this standard. The room was great and we had breakfast via room service the next morning - ok but not a patch on the infamous Hilton breakfast! Overall our stay was ok but we wouldn't rush back!

Beautiful hotel

I've just returned from a business trip to Belfast where our hosts booked us into the Merchant Hotel. From the warm welcome by William at the door to the amazing decor and cocktails, this was a real treat. The renovation has resulted in a truly beautiful hotel, right down to the last detail. The service was always friendly and Andrew the concierge deserves a medal for his cheery tour for our excited group! The cocktails are to die for. Food's good, but I didn't have anything exceptional, although we dined out that evening, so can only comment on daytime/breakfast fayre. The only downside for me was the lack of daylight. As a former bank, the walls are thick and there few windows. The dome in the centre is stunning and fills the room with light, but elsewhere in the hotel, I was beginning to feel like a mole kept away from the sun!

A Great Hotel

I stayed in The Merchant Hotel, Belfast last weekend. Service was great, staff were very friendly and helpful. Rooms are luxurious and comfortable. The cocktails in the bar are a must! Breakfast was well-cooked, nicely presented and delivered to the room at no extra cost. There are bars (the spaniard, the potthouse, the northern whig etc.) and restaurants (Nick's warehouse, Tapps, Ba Soba etc.) just outside the door, in the Cathedral quarter, if you want to visit them. The Hotel also has quite a busy nightclub, and there are other nightclubs within walking distance. The area is lively at the weekends, but the hotel is quiet, so you can party, then return to a quiet room for sleeping. I had dinner in "The Great Room" in the hotel. Dinner was good, although slightly over-priced but the decor, service and feel of the restaurant are worth it. The hotel's own website offers reduced rates sometimes e.g £140 per night per room instead of £220 so check that before booking elsewhere. I work in Belfast and did not expect a night in the city to be as enjoyable as it was, but staying in this hotel felt like a real treat and I will definitely stay there again.

Stunning but pricey

A beautiful and stunning hotel, much needed for the top end of the Belfast market but a bit too expensive to be enjoyable. The room and restaurant was top rate but the rest of the facilities seemed cold. The normal Irish hospitality seemed to be stiffled as bar staff all tried to give an air of sohistication, but this only made them seem cold and aloof. If you have money to burn then this is the place to do it . . . in style but unfortunately without atmosphere. Would stay again but only with a crowd of friends and to be honest Belfast has other mid range hotels at a fraction of the price with much better hospitality.

Fantastic hotel!!! Highly recommended

A wonderful renovation. Beautiful dining/bar area and rooms nicely done. Deep soaking tub in our bath. Warm and helpful staff. This will certainly emerge as THE hotel in Belfast and Northern Ireland. Go now while you can get a great introductory rate.

At Long last!

At Long Last!, Belfast has a truly stunning Hotel which can compare favourably with any top hotel in Europe. The owners and designers must be congratulated for achieving within this majestic (originally a bank) building, a wonderfully splendid themed interior which is evocative of a Grand French Romantic character (without being too 'in your face ormolu'!)and employs a wide range of original fine quality artworks and antiques - nothing kitsch, corny, twee or fake here - just the real thing - beautifully done. The quality and service are second to none, staff trained to perfection and obliging. My wife and I truly enjoyed our stay and the Merchant Hotel atmosphere perfectly compliments the 'new vitality' in the Catherderal quarter of Belfast. We look forward eagerly to our next visit.

The Bentley was only the beginning!

The hotel Bentley picked us up from home and conveyed us in style and comfort to the Merchant. That was just the beginning. Friendly staff, excellent rooms and superb food all combined to make this a most memorable stay. This hotel is new to Belfast and we would highly recommend it. It is expensive but we loved it!

Wow !!

I struggled to find an excuse to stay in The Merchant, the newest hotel in the town I was born (only 25 mins. from where I live now).

I found it in the form of my birthday.The introductory offer of £120 for the night was hard to resist so ,full of joy my best friend and I set off to Belfast for the night leaving the au pair in charge of my three kids......Bliss !

What an entrance ! Stunning architecture , beautiful objects everywhere you looked and furnished in the best possible taste.It was impossible not to be impressed.

We were swiftly brought to our room (a twin) and were again wowed by the sheer indulgence of the huge beds,wonderful fabrics and impressive bathroom.Quality simply oozes from this place.

My own taste is usually for contemporary hotels but I'll make an exception for this one.

The rooms are not equipped with mini bars but there is complimentary water and fruit.

The toiletries were of very generous size and smelt lovely. Bathrobes and towels were good quality and plentiful and the hairdryer provided was professional haidresser standard.Our night away was off to a great start !

We enjoyed a lovely cocktail at the bar before going to the "Ginger Tree" for dinner.

Truely appalling !! Don't even contemplate eating there !!

Our evening was rounded off in the" Members and Residents" bar,again decorated with style and attention to detail.We had a great night people watching !

In the morning our Room service order was delivered to somebody elses room by mistake but this was rectified and didn't appear on our bill.

Breakfast was A la carte but included in our room rate.Everything was delicious and service excellent.It was hard not to stare at the ceiling...absolutely stunning with cherubs and gold painted cornicing.My mind wandered to bygone days when the hotel was a bank.Theres a real feeling of history in the building.

We enjoyed a snooze after breakfast thanks to a kind receptionist who waivered the usual check out time.Much appreciated !!

All in all a great experience but one that I probably won't be lucky enough to repeat !

Hairdresser heaven

Friends in the local hairdressing industry invited me to the opening party for this wonderful hotel. The owners have lovingly preserved an old victorian bank and transformed it into a spectacular boutique hotel. From my experience of the party the hotel is targeting the young hairdressers and clothes shop assistants of Belfast. There is an interesting juxtaposition between the old world charm of the hotel and the high street style of the guests, however this in no way detracts from the welcoming environment. The only flaw at the launch was that the lack luster bar staff appeared to be under pressure for most of the evening, which I put down to teething problems. I believe the Merchant will quickly become the catalyst in lifting Belfasts nightlife into the 21st century.