BELFAST
Belfast
words Nicky Howden
T
en years ago Belfast was often perceived as a no-go
area. Political, social and religious troubles, boarded-up
windows and bricked-up homes hardly made it top of
the ‘to see’ lists. Nor did the accommodation on offer – the
infamous Europa Hotel is the most bombed hotel in the world.
Since the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998 Belfast has been
reborn and transformed, and though the history of conflict will
always remain, boutique hotels, upmarket shopping centres,
trendy bars and restaurants are popping up all over the place.
Lonely Planet Blue List 2007 was right to tip Northern Ireland as
one of the must-see countries, it has the culture and heritage,
shopping and entertainment and Belfast now gives Dublin a run
for its money; especially with low cost air carriers flying there
direct from Glasgow in just 35 minutes.
If you’re doing it in style, and if you can you should, the place
to stay is The Merchant Hotel. The über luxurious five star
boutique hotel is no stranger to guests of the celebrity variety
and is decked out in all things grand, velvet and super swanky.
A sophisticated bar, superb restaurant in what was once the
old banking hall, and trendy Ollie’s nightclub are the places in
which to be seen. Location wise it’s spot on too, surrounded
by slick bars like the Sugar Room at the Pothouse and just
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