The building is absolutely stunning from the outside and when you go inside it is even more incredible. We decided to come here for tea time. The service was impeccable and the tea and treats were incredible. It is not inexpensive though in comparisons to other tea times I have experienced but if you settle in and enjoy the experience for what it is and where you are at, it is all worth it. read more

A friendly gentlemen recommended we come here for a drink as we were getting coffee at Nero. Never to turn down local recommendations, we came by after a long walk along the docks. The Merchant Hotel is tucked off a smaller street, but it's worth the detour to soak in the atmosphere and for a drink. I had a pot of their spiced citrus tea in their lounge and it was magical alongside the crackling fire and watching the bar sling cocktails. Lovely service and great place to people watch! read more

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This beautiful hotel offers a delicious Afternoon Tea. There are options to add prosecco, a cocktail, or champagne as well but for us it was the extensive tea choices that hit the spot. Service was warm & attentive, and the sandwiches and sweets were so generous that we needed a box to go. After our tea, the hotel Concierges also referred us to a great driver to take us on a Black Cab Tour. Both Concierges (father and son!) went out of their way to call & request the tour for us. Because of their connection, we only had to wait about 15 minutes for our driver/guide to arrive. We appreciate their help so much! So nice, as we weren't even hotel guests. Belfast is proving to be a very warm place to visit. The graciousness of our servers for tea and the Concierges truly are indicative of the warmth that we have been shown while visiting! I highly recommend this beautiful hotel for its wonderful service and delicious high tea! read more

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I booked this afternoon tea months in advance for a special treat for my fiance and I, in celebration of our engagement and our 30th birthdays. I had communicated with them on open table reservations multiple times leading up to it, confirming the time and date, that I'm vegetarian, that my fiance is allergic to almonds, and that we're celebrating a birthday. They responded that they would throw in a complimentary cake. We were really looking forward to this little date on our big trip from Chicago. Unfortunately, when we arrived and said yes to the menu (thinking it was what I had already specified 3-4 times), our host came back to the table and asked why I didn't tell them I was vegetarian and my fiance was allergic to almonds, and rudely waved away the waiter that came to our table with the tea sandwich/dessert tower. I told him that we'd take the one they had ready because we both could eat things from it, but he continued to wave that guy away with the food and acted annoyed that we had food specifications we hadn't told him of (even though I had many, many times through their open table messages). The whole thing was really awkward, and honestly, ruined the vibe of our first afternoon tea. That host didn't come back to our table until we were done and my fiance asked for the check. We never got the complimentary 30th birthday cake. It was not a good experience. We also got cocktails the previous night and waited 50+ minutes for our waiter to come back for refills - actually, he didn't come back, my fiance walked up to the bar to flag him down to order. Overall, would not recommend this place at all for late night drinks or afternoon tea. read more

The Merchant Hotel - One of the desserts - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

We had such high hopes. Lovely front desk people, beautiful room, terrific food. Unfortunately, the hotel shares a small road with an open air pub with live music, which is very loud until midnight. Then, we had a fire alarm falsly or maybe a test, go off at the crack of dawn. Tomorrow we have a very early flight and I'm staring at the ceiling, listening to the band across the street. I never would have stayed here had I known about the noise. This was a Wednesday and Thursday night. Despite most things being lovely, being unable to sleep in a HOTEL where sleeping is what you do, is a hard no for me. Update: they offered us earplugs. read more

My friend and I came to the Merchant for our Afternoon Tea. We were very stoked and dressed for the occasion, we arrived at the hostess stand and were immediately sat once revealing our reservation. The waiters were attentive, the different menus were absolutely spectacular and made it difficult to choose, but we decided on the 'Merchant' which boasted Tea/Coffee. My friend also who is Vegan selected that particular menu and was accompanied accordingly. We adored the atmosphere because it felt elegant and upscale, we soaked in every bit ! Also it didn't take very long for our course tray to be served and instantly raved. So thank you for a memorable trip for me as I'm visiting from TX, USA for the week here in Belfast and could experience my first Afternoon Tea, I recommend this establishment 1000%. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Our second stop on our Ireland tour. We have not been to Belfast before. This place is right in the center of town. We had a fine five course meal last night in the main dining room. Service was excellent & friendly. All the servers here are Irish folk and most of the staff we have seen are local Irish as well. I went to one of the bars in the hotel called Bert's for a nightcap and the place was lively and enjoyable. The building used to be a bank before becoming a hotel and the decor and architecture is beautiful. Our first night sleeping was great - quiet and restful. Breakfast was very good and service was also excellent. Second night was also fine. This is a very nice hotel and highly recommend for a stay in town. Nancy & Mark. read more

We didn't stay overnight, we rented out the roof garden for a family birthday party and it was fabulous. It was a close family affair for a few dozen amid Covid and restrictions on groups. Our deal included the private use of the hotel's roof top from 5pm to close. The roof top has a retractable roof, partly open to the elements and partly roofed in. There are heaters in the roof to ease the damp air we have in these parts, and with it being one of the coolest August's on record some warmth was welcome. The views across the Belfast skyline from the rooftop were wonderful in daylight and took on a different beauty after dusk. Our deal included three dedicated bar staff, who genuinely were wonderfully attentive. They fixed the drinks, kept the tables tidy and made sure of regular sanitation - which is part of life these days. They turned away a few folk at the door who just came up to the roof garden out of curiosity. We brought our own birthday cake, which they cut and served. They had the technology that allowed us to bring and play our own music selection. We had a choice of cocktails, bottled beer and soft drinks as well as buffet party food on our deal. We had 4 choices from a comprehensive list including burgers, chicken and fish. All the food was tasty and we had more than enough with some left over. In our case we had more than a handful of kids running dementedly around, particularly the outside space, so they had a ball and the adults didn't have to care too much and could relax a bit, so this was an added welcome bonus. I can recommend it for a party - the birthday girl was delighted. We had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to return read more

Had amazing cocktails in the bar on a Thursday night - absolutely delicious. (Yes, expensive, but it's a gorgeous location.) Great service even though we were underdressed for the very sophisticated and elegant venue. We liked it so much we made tea reservations for the next day. Dining room is beautiful and the tea was lovely and elegant - our one experience with high tea on our vacation, and we were very satisfied. Egg salad sandwich, and salmon sandwich, were particularly memorable, as was the chocolate and berry sweet. Desserts were very sweet and rich, tea was perfect. Great service even though we were once again quite underdressed. read more

Beautiful hotel with a rich history! The staff was very friendly and the food was very good! Great location with plenty to do around it. Walking distance to most things interesting in Belfast. The room was spacious and very clean. read more

Fantastic beautiful lovely hotel. Rooms are gorgeous. We had two huge connecting suites with giant soaker bathrooms. Excellent restaurants and bar and room service at any hour. Fantastic spa and gym on the roof with dry and wet sauna and a jacuzzi outside where you can soak under the beautiful rain and storm clouds. It was lovely and we'll be back. read more

The Merchant hotel is 5 star class all the way. Impeccable service, ambiance, rooms, hotel, location, staff. One of the most beautiful hotel's not only in Belfast but in Ireland. The Great Room restaurant has the most amazing tea time. You have to book it. It will not disappoint. Their breakfast and dinner menu is also delicious. A wonderful stay for us while visiting Belfast. Highly recommend. read more

Such a fabulous hotel. It is a little pricey but worth every bit of it. I actually think it is not as expensive as it could be, this place is one of the best I have ever stayed at. Its a little bit hard parking but if the street isn't crowded you can pull right up to the valet. There is also a paid lot about one block away. Every single employee we spoke with was absolutely nice and helpful. We felt like royalty with the service and quality of The Merchant. The inside and outside are both beautiful. Our room was also beautiful and comfortable. The bathroom was huge and luxurious. The bar had a huge book full of great cocktails and the afternoon tea was one of the best I have ever had. The hotel is also within walking distance of pretty much everything. I would love to be able to come back here again someday. read more

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As someone who is a huge fan of afternoon tea, I had never been to the Merchant Hotel's acclaimed high tea offering. This week I was invited to their "Fabulous Fashion Tea" event, combining, as the name might suggest, afternoon tea with the world of fashion. The Fashion Teas are now in their 9th year, with the shows taking place every spring/summer and autumn/winter season. Guests enjoy a fashion show whilst sipping Champagne and sampling a range of tasty sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and a large selection of succulent sweet treats. (There's also the chance to shop at the pop-up boutiques from the weekend's featured retailers and designers.) I attended the 1pm event which was showcasing the David Yurman range from Lunn's Jewellers. What a delight it was to see some of David's spectacular creations, all while enjoying the mouth-watering food and drink in the beautiful setting of the Merchant Hotel. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this is a hotel is something special- oozing luxury! I would definitely do afternoon tea here again! read more

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I attended afternoon tea at the merchant a couple of weeks ago with work. Given my irrational anger towards over priced coffee shops, I was warned in advance (by one colleague in particular) that I had to be on my best behaviour. Being the consummate professional that I am, I listened and in fact I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The service was very professional and relaxed (apart from the bit where the waiter puts the napkin on your lap for you?). As for the tea and food, I again was very impressed by the selection, quality and amount provided. I don't think it's the sort of thing I would go to on a weekly basis but I would certainly go back for a special occasion. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Causing a scene - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Oh the beauty, the elegance, the all in all sumptuousness of The Merchant. It is without a doubt the very best of the best in Belfast, the creme de la creme if you will. The service, the quality, the surroundings. I could go on for days about the beauty and deliciousness of the cocktails (which are a particular favourite of mine) N.B. It certainly is expensive, but it is definitely worth it! It's not one to miss! I can't find a price list just at the moment so I'll have to call in some day and see if I can price them, but for a general guide, the cocktails are around £10 per drink though this varies depending on your choice. The Merchant is home to the Guiness World Records World's Most Expensive Cocktail 2007 for their £750, original Trader Vic's Mai Tai. On VERY special occasions the beau and I take a little visit here, I get all dolled up and we wine and ... well, wine, in the grand surroundings of The Merchant. I haven't had the pleasure of trying their food yet. But I can say I've sampled enough cocktails on their (extensive) list! OK the price tag is a little eye watering at times. But you really do get what you pay for. The parents booked an offer with them last winter for a very good price and oh was I jealous or what! They had the most amazing time. Now, my mum and dad like the finer things in life, they're often travelling all over the country and beyond trying different restaurants and hotels for their own simple pleasure and so it gives me a lovely warm feeling, the 'fuzzies' if you want my own decription, to note that at the lowly city of Belfast has been their best experience. Proud beyond belief of the quality of offer here. TRY IT NOW! (Stock up your wallet first though!) read more

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Following a rather impressive re-vamp, the best hotel in Belfast has somehow managed to get better. I remember walking past this palace a few months back and as there was loads of building work going on, I struggled to see what the fuss was all about. But now they've finished, it is simply stunning. You have everything you want from a hotel, and then a bit more and then a whole lot more on top of it. The price cannot be avoided unfortunately which if money isn't an option then this place has to be the top of your list for everything. However, if you have to work to earn your money and if you are trying to save money to invest in a house or a family car, don't even consider this place. It is unfortunately one of those places that paupers like us can walk past and go "ooohh" but never actually check in. I think it's good that Belfast has one of these hotels, something that can compete on a worldwide scale because the city has been crying out for something special in the hotelling industry. Sadly though, it not only laughs at other hotels, but it also bends them over and kicks them firmly up the backside too. read more

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This review is for the afternoon tea service. The room is lovely and the waiters are delightful however the pastries are just atrocious. They are dry and tasteless and you can buy better at Marks and spencers. They are attractive, I will give them that, but when I go out for food and I'm paying this big of a mark up, I want it to be absolutely delicious. That said , the sandwiches were good and the scones were very good. But at 32 pounds per person , they give you an ungodly amount of sweets and we couldn't even eat any of them because they were so sickly sweet . read more

Oh my word, The Great Room restaurant, I salute you. It is everything I dream of for a very special night. And by special I mean decadent surroundings, fine fine dining, attentive waiters and a general sense of luxury. The restaurant is nothing short of spectacular - domed ceiling, plush velvet seats and lots of red and gold and opulence. The menu? It is filled with choices which have both Irish and French origins and which have descriptions which are verging on the poetic. What I had will give you a flavour of what to expect - I had pasta with fresh truffles to start. Not truffle oil, but actual bits of truffle. Top notch or what? I had had truffle oil before but never shaved truffle and although the taste is unusual, just ordering it made me feel sophisticated. The pasta I am sure was freshly made and so much better than any I have had before. For main I had sea bream with little baby potatoes. All the flavours were fresh and zingy and you could really tell that only the best ingredients has been used. To finish, I had dark chocolate fondant which was the richest thing I have ever tasted. Everything was presented like mini works of art and served with a flourish which added to the sense of occasion. If I am to be 100% honest, I have to say that the menu was very very rich - lots of foie gras, poached eggs and veloutes. Plain eaters will definitely struggle and by the time I got home my tum had started to protest. Maybe that was the full bottle of Pinot Grigio that I poured down with the rich food. Now the part you need to brace yourself for. This is high end fine dining with high end prices to match. Thank the dear god of restaurants that my meal was on someone else's expense account as starters were £10 plus and main courses £20 ish. Throw in a desert at £9 and £35 for a bottle of wine and you'll get the picture A fabulous setting, gloriously rich food and prices to match. Wonderful but special occasions only. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

I almost feel like the Merchant is considered to be the jewel in New Belfast's crown. And I think I'm ok with that! Architecturally, it's stunning. Faithfully restored, it's a really eye-catching building in the Cathedral Quarter. And inside, it doesn't disappoint. It's opulent to the extreme! The public side of things consists of the bar and the Great Hall restaurant. The bar is lovely. Waiter service and with a mind-boggling choice of drinks (you know you're in a classy place when they ask you what type of gin you'd like with your tonic!). They also have a cocktail menu of world-class standards (literally. It claimed the title of "World's Best Cocktail Menu" last year). Actually, the cocktail's deserve a bit of attention. To call it a menu isn't accurate. It's a recipe book. Hundreds of pages long, it's a little daunting, but oh-so tempting! The service is world-class as well. I remember going one night to celebrate a friend's new job. We had personal advice on which cocktails to select from the head barman, and on one occasion, someone made the wrong choice, didn't like their drink and was able to order a different one at no extra cost (and we got to keep the unwanted one. Waste not, want not and all that!). We also had a bit of craic with the barstaff, so it wasn't all fussy and formal. The bill was a little frightening at the end of the night, but to be honest, it wasn't much more than we all would have spent at a regular bar, and we got much better value for money. I've sampled the food in the Great Hall once, for a birthday celebration. It was early February, so there was a great deal on a set menu. It was delicious. I had fois gras to start, chicken for my main and profiteroles to finish. Everything was prepared to perfection and again, the service couldn't have been better. This isn't really a place to go on a random night, but it's the perfect place if you're celebrating a special occasion, or just fancy escaping the normal bar scene and stepping into what is for most people (myself included) a different world. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Our waiter was incredibly rude and patronizing. Couldn't tell if it was because we were both American or if it was because my boyfriend is black. Either way, put a damper on our anniversary dinner with how condescending our waiter was. Also not friendly for those with dietary or food allergies. Hard to think that in 2021 chefs still can't make a dairy free friendly menu since it's such a common allergy. Food was good for the most part part but the desserts were just not good. I think if we had a friendlier waiter we may have had a different experience. read more

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Went here with my mom, aunt and sister for high tea It is beautiful in there and the history of the old bank and it's timeless beauty is very interesting. The service was wonderful as was the different sandwiches and desserts. I ordered a nice bottle of prosecco as well. Will def go back the next time I'm in Belfast! read more

The Merchant Hotel - High tea desserts - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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This is the nicest hotel in Belfast (apparently). It is beautiful, the rooms are art deco style and the beds are super comfortable. You feel like a Royal at this hotel, for sure. The breakfast area is in an old bank that is converted to a royal, grand restaurant. The entrance is odd (off a side street). The concierge was odd and clueless...this always annoys me when you expect the concierge to actually know things. The hotel was great, room beautiful but the clueless concierge who had zero follow up and caused so much confusion at check out was disappointing to say the least. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Yes, this place is pricey, and yes, you might feel a little under-dressed in your battered jeans and Converse but if you eat in The Great Room it is beyond worth it. The lavish surroundings with the great domed ceiling are the perfect backdrop for the treat your mouth is about to get. The food rocks! The presentation is delicate and modern, but not over the top and not at the expense of the flavour. And boy do the plates have flavour. On my last visit I had pigeon for starter, something I had never tried before, and just wow. On the downside my pudding was fabulous (crème brûlée) but my OH ordered a medley of deserts, got four full size puddings, and didn't want to share! I would definitely recommend the Merchant for a special occasion and can't wait to go back. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

This place was recommended to me by a friend from Belfast and it didn't disappoint. From the second you walk through the door, this place has the wow factor, The Great Room is really beautiful and really takes your breath away (see my photo to see what I mean!). We were slightly concerned that we were a little underdressed (we had layered up as it was a cold day outside!), but there didn't appear to be any snootiness here. We had afternoon tea here which was extremely good. The sandwiches were delicious and the cakes, scones and desserts that followed were all really tasty. The waiters/waitresses also brought round a few little extras in the form of macarons and chocolates which were also very good. They have an extensive list of teas which are served in proper tea pots with strainers, no tea bags here! The staff here were extremely attentive and pleasant throughout and there was a live band in the corner of the room which just added to the atmosphere. We couldn't finish everything so asked our waitress if we could take our remaining cakes away with us and they came back in lovely individual boxes. I would really recommend this fabulous place to anyone spending some time in Belfast. read more

The Merchant Hotel - The afternoon tea at The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

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Lovely hotel in Belfast. Everything perfect. Lovely people. Big, big spacious rooms. The breakfaat is served in the central hall. Breakfast is a real trekt. When in Belfast. Go here! read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

Spent a great weekend at the Merchant, everything about it was superb. Most importantly the service was excellent. Friendly and helpful. Ran into a situation on Saturday night where I had messed up a dinner reservation, the concierge/bellman spent about 30 minutes on the phone with different restaurants finding us a good option for a birthday dinner. Breakfast was great, not a buffet but better, very nicely cooked to order. Room was very comfortable. Can't recommend highly enough, it was great. read more

Wonderful place to stay, good restaurants,service was outstanding. Great location for fine dining and many nearby pubs. One of the nicest ball/dining rooms I've ever been in. They prepared a wonderful 9 course meal for us. I cannot ay enough about this place. read more

Here, you get what you pay for. Manager changed my room, as she accidentally heard me ask house person if there was a room with a bit more light in the suite that might be open. Though my room was fabulous already, the manager happened to wander through hall, heard my question, and immediately offered to show me another room. Love my new room but honestly, I don't think old room or any room in the Merchant would disappoint. Just great service and attentive personnel says at this Belfast hotel, you really do get what you pay for. read more

I was really excited to have high tea here! I come to Belfast a lot and wanted to stay there on this trip but the rooms were sold out, so I decided to have high tea and scope out the hotel to see if I would make it my new place to stay each time I come up, but I was really disappointed. Normally when I stay or dine in five star establishments the service I receive pays attention to detail and goes above and beyond and keeps me wanting to come back, but this place really missed the mark for me. I accidentally made two bookings online and called to tell them I needed to cancel one of them a few days in advance but when she connected me to the restaurant nobody answered so I tried calling a second time the next day and again nobody answered so I just gave up on canceling the additional booking. When I showed up I went to the front desk to confirm my booking and make sure the additional one could be canceled and it was just awkward. I told her how no one answered the phone twice when I tried to cancel the accidental additional booking and and she kind of just made a weird face and continued starring at the computer screen. There was no "sorry about that" or "let me figure that out for you" I also asked if they could take me early for my reservation and she told me I could go up and check. I didn't see any steps or elevators in sight so I just awkwardly stood there and eventually worked up the courage to be like "ok..... so where is that?" When I sat down for tea the menu wasn't explained to me or anything like it was being explained for those around me, which is common that since I normally travel alone I get overlooked but you wouldn't expect it from a place this nice. I had to ask her direct questions to get answers which wasn't a big deal just a bit irritating. I can't eat gluten so ordered the gluten free option and told her I wanted to try two different teas and she said she'd bring the second one I ordered towards the end to pair with the pastries.. I never saw her throughout the meal though so I was unable to ask if the other tea was ever coming and she never ended up bringing it. I was most excited to try that one too. The gluten free breads and pastries were also very disappointing, dry and flavorless, the taste was like things you'd buy pre-made at the grocery story instead of a five star hotel/restaurant, I didn't eat any of it except the finger sandwiches. When the guy who brought out the food came out I tried to confirm that this was the gluten free food but due to a language barrier he was unable to understand me which is fine, no judgement to anyone who speaks other languages, I'm just making a point that it was important to me to be able to confirm this as I'm allergic to gluten and was unable to do that. I didn't end up eating the breads or pastries anyway as they were gross. The one bread that looked ok was this little gluten free mini scone and it came out warm too, unfortunately he didn't bring the cream or jam for another ten minutes so by the time it came to the table the scone wasn't warm anymore and I didn't want to eat it. I thought this was maybe just the timing of how they served things but I saw other tables receiving their cream and jam with their food, so again I guess I was just overlooked. I sat there for about 30 minutes waiting for my check as well and never saw my server since she took my order, so I flagged down a different server. Just overall would not expect service like this from such a nice place, and especially such an expensive place. I feel as though I've been deterred from wanting to stay there or give them business in the future. The manager did come out to apologize for the food being gross and took my cocktail off the bill...but overall it was not enough to make it right. I didn't want to hash it all out with him there because I just felt annoyed and uncomfortable and wanted to leave as soon as possible. Definitely felt overall unwelcome and unimportant as a solo diner/traveler and would not recommend for any others who are like me and like to do things alone. read more

The Merchant Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Belfast, BFS

This might be my favorite bar in the world. My husband & I visited on a sunny afternoon shortly before tea time and over the course of an hour or two, we each had two drinks. Our selections: the Sloe Gin Ginger Sling, Melancholy Punch, Martinique Rum Swizzle and the Presbyterian. All noteworthy. For a bonus, we had a great conversation with the bartenders, discussing everything from New Zealand to New Orleans to bourbon and genever. When it came time to leave, our favorite bartender wrote us an itinerary for half a dozen other places to visit during the evening. It's very expensive, but worth every last penny. I'd want one of their cocktails served at my last meal. read more

I recently went to an interview at the Merchant Hotel, Classy eh? Well let me tell you if there is one way of making interviews more nerve racking it is probably to stage them in Northern Irelands most opulent venue. I was told in the letter to report to the hotel reception but when I entered, all dressed up may I add, I was confronted by the Top hats men at the entrance, "Afternoon Sir!" I think I got Sir bit because of the suit. This threw me off slightly and the reflective black floor at the reception allowed me to review my appearance and decide that I should have definitely wore a different tie. This threw me off further. I was greeted by a female concierge all in black, she took me up to the meeting rooms and she was extremely charming explaining the process and telling me not to be nervous, I considered this flirting and y mind began to wonder away from the interview. So this was now three times that I had been distracted from the matter in hand. Anyway while I waited to be called for my interview in took in the grandeur around me, 18th century French furniture, chandeliers, violin music and crystals. Those words pretty much sum up the Merchant. This did not put me at ease. When was eventually called into the meeting room, I was seated at a huge stained glass table that was shaped like a triangle with me at the top point and three interviewers judging, I mean interviewing me Dragons Den style. The meeting room had huge windows looking over Belfast and the natural light reflected my damp forehead and blinded the interviewers. Well that's my excuse for not getting the job anyway. This was a different experience of the Merchant Hotel, it is obviously available to hire for meeting rooms and interviews but I was an employer I would probably stick to the office and put your interviewees at ease. The staff at the Merchant are great, really well drilled and they treat all exactly the same. read more

The Merchant Hotel was recommended to me by a colleague when I was looking for just the right venue to hold a small informal event in Belfast. I used the business centre, had our evening meal in the fabulous Jazz bar, stayed the night in one of the art deco rooms and had breakfast in the restaurant. I wasn't disappointed. The hotel was fabulous. My room was gorgeous complete with roll top bath and wet room in the en suite! I love a turn down team and this was the best, they even left a delicious chocolate and a little card with the next days weather forecast. How cute! The Jazz bar was fantastic with delicious food being served until 10pm and live music right into the night it was hard to resist ordering that last glass of wine and enjoying a little longer! Despite over-indulging on the delicious Pinot Grigio, I made breakfast. It was excellent too. The Restaurant oozes opulence and the Eggs Benedict were some of the best I've had. My stay was topped off by the warm welcome I received from the Merchant staff during my stay. there is definitely something to be said about Irish charm. They simply couldn't do enough for you. read more

Very nice Hotel. Located in a central area. We had an Art Deco room that was very large with a nice sitting area. The bathroom was also very large with a big shower area and separate tub. The service staff were excellent. In particular a reception person named Peg was very nice and helpful. read more

Great hotel in the heart of Belfast. Friendly staff and nice breakfast set up. This hotel was a former bank.

I have been here twice for cocktails, amazing, a bit pricy for Belfast but worth every penny. Cocktails were excelent, must say top 3 I've ever tasted, bartender always recommended the best fit, was friendly and provided 5* service. Snack coming with drinks is just underlining best in class approach towards customers. Bar with the fireplace is cosy and perfect for relaxing evenig. Bar on the left side is not so detaily designed as expected but still nice to spent a time and enjoy your drink. When going to Merchant first time, mind there will be a lot of dressed up couples or single ladies giving you unwelcome looks. However, even though not wearing evening dress and highheels could enjoy couple of cocktails more than overdressed ladies sharing midprice kava. read more

Opulence ! Like visiting the set of the Great Gatsby. The decor is unreal! The rooms are luxurious, the shower and tub are best of class for any luxury hotel. The closet, robes , slippers, and beds are five star as well. The restaurant and bars make it hard to consider anything else. We really enjoyed spending time in Berts jazz bar (at hotel). Highly recommend ! read more

Only came here to use the spa and I was not disappointed! From the outset the staff were friendly and accommodating and me feel at ease. We went for an hour in the hydrotherapy room which included the hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and heated stone lounger. The room is extremely calm and relaxing and there are only a limited amount of people permitted which means that it remains this way. A prefect way to relax read more

I've been lucky enough to visit The Merchant hotel on a couple of occasions, 1. Arranged a Christmas afternoon tea here for the gals in the office - a boozy night out just ain't for everyone, sometimes we like to pretend to be ladies. A wonderful afternoon filled with festive cheer, EXCELLENT attentive service and stunning foods. Highly recommended for a treat. 2. Attended the Fabulous Fashion Teas event - a fashion show event with afternoon tea to follow. A wonderful decadent day out. I could not recommend The Merchant Hotel enough. It's certainly the ideal venue for adding a little bit of glamour to an occasion. read more

The Merchant hotel is no doubt very beautiful and has exceptional staff. The problem is the food in the great hall, it's just not that great. I played safe and ordered the corn fed chicken. It actually tasted like corn. It was served strangely skewered as a breast and leg portion, looking anaemic and under seasoned, the gravy came separate and ws equally tasteless. We were hungry so ate everything. We were also thirsty and had a couple bottles of good red wine that was fairly priced for such an astonishing venue. Maybe the chef had a bad day as I've not heard many bad reports on the restaurant. Just except to pay a lot and not be blown away by the food. read more