The Merchant Hotel
Grand historic luxury. Victorian grandeur meets Art Deco glamour. No ironic hipness, no industrial chic — just genuinely beautiful rooms, a world-class cocktail bar, and a jazz venue that actually delivers seven nights a week.
The Seamus Heaney Suite has a four-poster bed; the C.S. Lewis and Brian Friel suites have original marble fireplaces — worth specifying when booking
Why It Matters
Belfast's only 5-star AA hotel. The building was the former Ulster Bank HQ dating to 1860. The Great Room features Ireland's largest chandelier, made from Tyrone Crystal, under a glass cupola. The Cocktail Bar holds 2 Pinnacle Guide PINs (one of only 23 bars worldwide). Berts is Belfast's only dedicated jazz bar. Five named suites honour Irish literary figures including Seamus Heaney, C.S. Lewis, and Brian Friel.
The Merchant Hotel is Belfast's only AA 5-star rated property, occupying a Grade A listed former Ulster Bank headquarters built in 1860. The original Giffnock sandstone Victorian façade opens into two distinct worlds: the richly furnished Victorian wing with high ceilings, antique mirrors, and bespoke textiles, and a purpose-built Art Deco extension that brings 1930s glamour to the mix. The Cocktail Bar alone holds 2 PINs from The Pinnacle Guide, making it one of just 23 bars in the world with that distinction — reason enough to visit even if you're not staying.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Art Deco Rooms
Spacious rooms in the purpose-built Art Deco wing. Furniture sourced from iconic period designers including Eileen Gray and Le Corbusier, plus specially commissioned works of art. Carrara marble bathrooms. These feel unmistakably 1930s in the best possible way — sleek lines, bold forms, and a lot of light.
King or Super-King pillow-top (majority super-king) · 42 sqm
Victorian Loft Suites
The same Victorian elegance as the standard rooms but with a separate lounge area — useful if you want space to decompress or spread out. Original features, antique furniture and textiles throughout. Deep roll-top baths with rainfall showers. A step up without going full named-suite prices.
KingVictorian Rooms
Located in the original Grade A listed building. Bespoke Victorian furnishings, antique mirrors, original artworks, and opulent travertine marble bathrooms. Smaller than the Art Deco rooms but full of genuine period character. Most have a large tub bath plus separate rainfall shower.
Queen, King, or Super-King pillow-top · 28 sqmVictorian Suites
Five named suites, each unique, in the original Victorian wing. The Seamus Heaney Suite has a four-poster bed; the C.S. Lewis and Brian Friel suites have original marble fireplaces. All feature high ceilings, lounge seating areas, deep roll-top baths, and separate walk-in rainfall showers. These are the most memorable rooms in the hotel.
King (four-poster in Seamus Heaney Suite)The Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Virtual 360° tours of the hotel available online covering bedrooms, suites, The Great Room, and more. Physical in-person tours also possible via concierge request.
Full afternoon tea service in The Great Room Restaurant, beneath Ireland's largest Tyrone Crystal chandelier. Multiple dietary options available.
Live jazz seven nights a week at Belfast's only dedicated jazz bar. Musicians drawn from Northern Ireland and further afield, with a monthly line-up published on the hotel website. Friday and Saturday evenings carry a £10/person stage charge for reservations from 8.30pm.
One-to-one personal training sessions with qualified trainers at the rooftop gym. Available for both hotel guests and gym members. Contact personaltrainers@themerchanthotel.com to arrange.
Rooftop strength and conditioning suite with free weights and functional training equipment. Art Deco design, panoramic city views over the Lagan, Albert Clock, and Harland & Wolff cranes. Complimentary for hotel guests.
Eight-person hot tub on the rooftop with views over the river Lagan, the Albert Clock, and the iconic Harland & Wolff shipyard cranes. Part of the thermal area alongside a rock sauna and steam room. Complimentary for hotel guests. Closed Mon, Wed, and Fri between 12pm–3pm for maintenance.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel with speeds reported at 500+ Mbps.
Private dining room available for groups. Boardroom seating for up to 16 and larger event spaces up to 200 guests (Rita Duffy Suite for conferences, weddings, and private functions).
Full breakfast included with many packages. Also available for non-package guests (reported at approximately £25/person).
State-of-the-art rooftop gym with free weights, functional training equipment, and panoramic city views. Open daily. Over 18s only.
Nightly turndown service across all room types.
Postal and e-voucher gift cards redeemable across all hotel experiences, from afternoon tea to overnight stays.
The hotel holds Green Tourism certification.
Rooftop steam room within the thermal area. Aromatherapy steam room also referenced.
Rooftop rock sauna within the thermal area, adjacent to the steam room and hot tub.
Eight-person outdoor hot tub on the roof with views of the Lagan, Albert Clock, and Harland & Wolff cranes. Complimentary for hotel guests. Over 18s only.
BUILD YOUR THE MERCHANT HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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