The Merchant Hotel

The Merchant Hotel descritpion

The 5-star Merchant Hotel is in the cathedral Quarter of Belfast's city center. It offers luxurious air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, a spa, and a rooftop gym and hot tub. The Merchant is the winner of the Best UK Hotel 2011 award in the International Hotel Awards.
All of the elegantly furnished rooms are decorated with original artwork. They each have black-out blinds, a flat-screen TV, and spacious private marble bathrooms.
The Merchant is a Grade I heritage-listed building dating back to 1860. Its Great Room Restaurant has a huge domed ceiling and offers a diverse menu and traditional afternoon teas.
There is a selection of bars, and an elegant on-site nightclub to enjoy, including the Veuve clicquot champagne lounge. Berts Jazz Bar serves food and has live music 7 nights a week.
The Spa has 5 treatment rooms and a hydrotherapy area. There is also a sauna and a steam room on the rooftop.

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Facilities of The Merchant Hotel

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：No parking available.

Reviews for The Merchant Hotel

Review 1：Everything from the breakfast, 2 the cocktails wer delicious and everyone went out of ther way 2 b helpful. The balloons and chocolate left for my friends bday was a beautiful touch

Review 2：Room booked to include breakfast. Got breakfast delivered to our room and didn't realise that there was an additional charge of £15 per person for delivery - so very expensive breakfast!

Review 3：Great location.

Review 4：Lighting needs to be better.

Review 5：Fantastic location. Warm, inviting hotel, very friendly staff. Concierge very helpful (thank you Peter). A hotel with definite character!

Review 6：Wish we could have stayed longer.

Review 7：From the minute we walked through the door of this luxury hotel the staff went beyond the call of duty to ensure we felt at home. The suite was beautiful and the restaurant for dinner and breakfast was absolutely gorgeous. Food was delicious too. The best part was that it was walking distance to everywhere.

Review 8：From the moment you walk in there you feel looked after. We made the most of the facilities and used the roof hot tub even though it is November! We also went for afternoon tea in the Great Room which is an experience I would definitely recommend. This isn't our first stay there and it definitely won't be our last.

Review 9：nothing

Review 10：The hotel is in a perfect locations close to many bars and restaurants. The room was huge, very comfortable and was cleaned twice a day! The hotel is spotless clean, very friendly and helpful staff, amazing gym, sauna and steam room facilities and stunning views from the rooftop jacuzzi. The breakfast service was also very good and the breakfast delicious with a good choice. On arrival the friendly doorman showed us our room and took his time explaining the use of everything which was very helpful! We will definitely come back!

Review 11：Carpet a little worn, ugly view from window, cheap toilet paper, stupid carpet on wall.. Overall impression was it looked a bit tired and worn. Maybe there are better rooms but our stay was not worth the money.

Review 12：Staff were very good. Professional and courteous.

Review 13：Inability to have more light on the bedrooms if desired - all very subdued lighting and very Parisian Bordel style - delightful

Review 14：Excellent staff with great attitude to serving the clientele and fabulous food in the Great Room. Tasting menu highly recommended - not too much per plate and absolutely delicious

Review 15：Lumpy foam pillows were rectified. Haphazard service at breakfast

Review 16：The location of the Merchant is excellent. The hotel is beautifully luxurious. I loved the cocktail bar.

Review 17：Hotel is in a very good location, staff are very polite and pleasant always greeting you with a smile nothing was to much for them. Rooms are luxurious food is delicious it truly deserves the 5 star plus.

Review 18：Beautiful room in new deco side, but some rooms were smaller and also there were some rooms that would have been very noisy at night as many pubs are close. Staff helped a lot in changing our room when then sink drain malfunctioned. We got a very good upgrade by luck when hotel was not full. Restaurant was best we had in most of Ireland!!

Review 19：The rooms are very dark, some lights are not working or just blinking, the carpet on the floors has been there way too long time it´s not ok, not healthy at all. Even the control to the tv is missing the text so you cannot use it, the water has hardly any pressure in the shower.

Review 20：The interior is amazing in the main restaurant and it´s very special the bar is great as well. So go there for dinner or lunch, great place for that but not to stay over night.

Review 21：no complaints

Review 22：Birthday treat for my partner which she loved. Hotel helped with tokens such as a little cake, card and chocs. I paid for the rose petal turndown which she loved!!!!

Review 23：Wanted to experience the elevated roof terrace but it is used for functions rather than being general available.

Review 24：Beautiful hotel (room & bar & restaurant & dining & jazz bar on site were fab). Great facilities (Gym & spa). Great location (we walked everywhere we wanted to go from there). Staff so friendly & helpful. Food & drinks & service were of a very high standard.

Review 25：The service was superb. From the bellman to the desk clerk to the waitress at breakfast, everyone was friendly and attentive. The room was luxurious( C.S. Lewis suite.)

Review 26：Entrance & overall layout confusing. Room was located beside air vent which kept us awake most of the night. Could not get appointment in Spa, or even the thermal suite (I understand it is open to the public but paying guests should have priority). Dinner in the Great Room was good but nothing to write home about (service was great). Just a disappointment overall, would not recommend to friends as I don't feel its value for money. Jury's is just a good!

Review 27：History of the building.

Review 28：Window blinds where a bit tatty and didn't close properly wakened with the sun coming through at 7am not much good when looking a lie in.

Review 29：Hotel staff where excellent couldn't do better

Review 30：Mini toothpaste in the room would be handy and also a stronger shower. The waterfall is nice but not up to the standard of the rest of the fittings

Review 31：The staff, the makeup mirror and the space in the room

Review 32：Cocktails amazing! Staff friendly, rooms spacious and fun. Hot tub on roof. Could do with sprucing the leisure areas up a bit though. Breakfast was plentiful but to be honest fairly mediocre and breakfasttea wasn't that nice. Classical music far too loud at breakfast. Other than that a real treat.

Review 33：very disappointed in a very unhealthy high fat vegetarian breakfast,pancakes and more pancakes

Review 34：the hotel was beautiful ,staff friendly and efficient bedroom was beautiful and the jazz bar was really great .

Review 35：my room sat atop a music venue and this could be heard easily. It did stop at 9pm so did not affect my night's sleep. Parking is difficult and the valet expensive. Even if wanted to use valet, the space to drive up can accommodate one car so you have to keep driving around. The public parking is near but don't try to get there during rush hour.

Review 36：staff was wonderful; the breakfast amazing. Bert's Jazz Bar was really nice

Review 37：Breakfast particularly lacking - compares poorly with boutique and other 5 star. Toast limited to sliced processed brown and white bread. Only other offer was tired Danish. No soda bread, no croissants etc. No self serve display - so no evidence of fresh produce freshly prepared. In short, breakfast menu generic and lagging competitors who nowadays offer imaginative and healthy options. Thought Eggs Benedict poor - premade sauce (out of jar?) On processed/defrosted white baps? Appearance of Barts' boss - despite her friendly manner - was poor, not smart, not in line with expectations

Review 38：Bedroom - decor, comfort, facilities, accessories etc Friendliness of staff The Great Room The bar and open fire

Review 39：Couldn't fault our stay. Wee bit more expensive but worth it for all the little details and the way we were made to feel special.

Review 40：Attention to detail. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and there were truffles and a balloon left in our room.

Review 41：The only thing wrong was the TVs did not seem to work very well and when it did the channels were limited

Review 42：We were treated like kings from the moment we arrived until we checked out .

Review 43：Everything was very good. Sitting on the rooftop terrace on a sunny Monday morning overlooking Belfast then relaxing in the hot tub was pretty special. Breakfast was good and made better by the ambience. The room wasn't massive but very luxurious and beautifully finished. Staff were excellent throughout the hotel.

Review 44：We enjoyed everything about our stay it for my fiancés birthday and they made it very memorable and the staff couldn't of been more helpful and nice.

Review 45：You need to book if you want to eat in one of the hotels restaurants. We forgot to book and missed out on the fine dinning and live music in the Jazz bar!

Review 46：The Merchant has everything you could want for a fantastic stay. From the moment you walk through the doors, until you book out it is sheer luxury. Stunning and comfortable rooms, with everything in there you need and more. Breakfast was incredible and served by experienced and conscientious staff. The Merchant is only a short walk from the centre of the City and about 15 minutes from the must see Titanic Experience.

Review 47：Limited seating in the bar area. Bit over priced for a one night stay compared too other FIRST CLASS hotels in the city centre. Ok for a one off,been there done that sort of thing.

Review 48：Very pleasant and helpful staff.

Review 49：I would have liked a room with a better view we were in 320 not a pleasant view need to do a mural or some plants

Review 50：The venue the decor the food the service

Review 51：We were there for a personal occasion and the staff responded so well to this fact It is a luxurious, unique, stylish hotel perfect for a special visit

Review 52：no walk in shower available, mum in her mid80's was told she could use the showering facilities in the spa We were very distressed, as we had booked 3 nights

Review 53：Staff

Review 54：Hotel was really beautiful, staff were extremely welcoming and helpful. We tried some cocktails from an extensive list which were remembered upon our return later that evening and considering the bar was full and very busy, that took some memory! Gorgeous breakfast as well! Great stay.

Review 55：Nothing bad about the merchant!

Review 56：Comfortable beds, lovely bedding. Breakfast room and breakfast menu fabulous. Served food, not buffet, so much nicer. Turn down service with chocolates lovely! All staff so warm, friendly and helpful. very central location for shops, sightseeing bus etc. all walkable in a few minutes.

Review 57：Loved the Jazz bar, there was a live band, my husband and I had a very relaxing time, there was a mistake by the waitress with our meal choice, but it was immediately rectified. We intend to go back in August with another couple.

Review 58：Disappointed that the Irish TV station RTE was not available. Mentioned this at check-out and was advised that it is under consideration for this year Hope this comes true as I had wanted to watch a programme on the Saturday night

Review 59：Everything we expected from a 5 star hotel. Staff friendly on arrival room lush dining experience lovely totally spoilt loved the breakfast - no buffet really spoilt fantastic experience will go back again

Review 60：Wifi keeps cutting off every 5 minutes so password needs to be re entered, also we were given a room with twin beds instead of king size

Review 61：We were upgraded on arrival to an Art Deco room. Beds are amazing

Review 62：The only thing was that the wi-fi would drop out every now and then and wouldn't keep you connected but that's a small price to pay considering everything else is amazing.

Review 63：The service was impeccable especially by the concierge Peter, he took us on a tour around the hotel and nothing was ever too much to ask for. The decor and comfort was amazing would definitely stay here again.

Review 64：The gymnasium area (sauna, hot tub etc) was disappointing and could do with being updated.

Review 65：Really good service. Also the bar and restaurant areas looked extremely well and made you feel like you were somewhere very special.

Review 66：poor film choice maybe more hangers

Review 67：everything about the experience was excellent as soon as we entered the front door until we left staff/food /facilities great

Review 68：The welcome we got at reception was appalling. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and the receptionist couldn't have been colder to us. Then when we discovered we were getting an art deco room (we had expected to get a victorian style room) we were simply told it was a better room. On querying this the receptionist said the rooms that are allocated to booking.com are victorian rooms but on this occasion those rooms were booked out so we had to just accept an art deco room. Then on checkout another £20 had been added to the price of our room even though our card had been charged the correct price in full for our room before arrival. The additional charge was swiftly removed when we complained but without any explanation or apology as to how or why it was added in the first instance. When we mentioned to friends the way in which we were treated we were advised that's how they treat you if you've booked with a budget booking site. We have booked with booking.com before and never had such an experience. We did notice something though at the Merchant which we had not seen before - on the form we had to sign on arrival and on the bill when departing were written the words "When preparing for your next visit please bear in mind that our best available rates are always to be found on our website". It was like we'd done something wrong by not booking it direct with them and got off on the wrong foot with them. Perhaps then our friends are right - it wouldn't put us off booking.com but I doubt whether we'd ever return to The Merchant.

Review 69：The hotel itself is very nice. The breakfast was very good and the staff at breakfast were excellent. The hotel is in a good location with many bars and restaurants within walking distance.

Review 70：I cannot fault this beautiful hotel. Staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms sumptuous and cosy with lovely toiletries and wonderful shower. Perfect! If you haven't yet tried it then go, you will not be disappointed for paying that bit extr.

Review 71：wifi was not great, but was adequate for what I wanted nothing else

Review 72：Beds were so comfortable Fabulous view from 5th Floor room Food wonderful Service excellent lovely bathroom and grooming area REAL hairdryers just about everything

Review 73：Prices of cocktails compared to what you actually got. You would barely get one 50 ml into cocktail so I wonder how they actually make one worth while. Room not ready on arrival at 2 pm. Said they would phone when ready but failed too.

Review 74：Attention to detail. Staff very polite and helpful.

Review 75：Didn't see anything that we didn't likew

Review 76：The hotel staff were very friendly and polite on arrival the room was more than we expected with good facilities and was very quiet for the location. The food was excellent and the breakfast was good

Review 77：our room was situated above and overlooking the street and a bar, it was very noisy and I could hear the music which did keep me awake. we paid extra for a late check out and ordered room service for breakfast which fifteen pound per tray which was half an late which was really annoying as we had set our alarm to get up for it, so there was no point in going back to sleep. apart from these two blips I would go back to stay but I would request a different room awy from the hutle and bustle

Review 78：The service and surroundings were great and really did make you feel special.

Review 79：Room was fantastic. Staff were brilliant and friendly, particularly Marc who brought us to our room. The food in the cocktail bar was very tasty and good value for money. Berts bar is a great place for a few cocktails and some good music. Definitely recommend staying here

Review 80：1 - Broken plug on the iron in own room, completely fell apart as I put it into the wall - nearly electrocuted myself! 2 - Went to open the window blind and got a shard of badly flaked paint, which jammed up under my fingernail, making it bleed and very painful! 3 - We booked a double room via Booking.com but ended up with a twin room! Complained, so we were provided with another room, which was located two doors down from the old one (4th floor, far end of the hotel) but we were told to bring our own bags all the way back down to ground floor reception and then back up to the 4th floor!! Three very minor upsets but it slightly soured the whole experience for us unfortunately. Not exactly the 5-Star hotel service we were expecting for our money..

Review 81：Exceptionally good food! Great location Very Friendly staff

Review 82：Nothing

Review 83：The staff were very friendly and helpful especially up at the gym and hot tub. Food and service was lovely- it was a super relaxing break and we will return!

Review 84：Breakfast was included but was a bit mean. Menu has too many ORs... grapefruit OR cereal OR yogurt. Given the price of the room, I would have expected more, and for cooked breakfast to be included in the price.

Review 85：Stayed in old section. Rooms small but so luxurious. Opulence defined!Amazing location. As parents of a young child, when your nights away are limited, it was the perfect central location to shops, restaurants and bars.

Review 86：Nothing bad to say about this hotel.

Review 87：This is a great place to stay conveniently situated. The staff are friendly and helpful. Really beautiful building old world elegance so different to other hotels. The food here is first class. Really enjoyed our stay

Review 88：The bar prices were a little steep - felt like I was back in London!

Review 89：The overall feel of the hotel and the friendliness of the staff The location The comfort and style

Review 90：I thought the staff service, whilst friendly, was over the top. In the morning at breakfast my sister made the mistake of asking for rice crispies and they were served on their own tray, separate milk jug etc etc, there was no space on the table for all the paraphanalia - it was just too much fuss and detracted rather than added to the experience. Same at the bar the previous night, I did not know whether to wait to be served by the uniformed waiter or to give my order at the bar, I just felt slightly awkward, yet the bar area itself was so inviting and comfortable.

Review 91：The most gorgeously comfy bed, big spaceous room, everything you would need in the room, home from home, was provided.

Review 92：Lovely friendly hotel offering a true five star experience. Only one minor quibble in relation to the WIFI service, had to log in every few minutes to the login user and password as kept throwing me out but that's a minor First World problem!

Review 93：We found the overall level of service in the bar and at breakfast was quite poor and could be great with a few tweaks. Plenty of staff. My biggest gripe was with the noise of the air con in the bedroom and even when switched off the noise from the outside fans meant that sleep for me was non existent and we were in the new wing.

Review 94：The location and setting are perfect. The building itself is amazing and the atmosphere is great.

Review 95：Staff so friendly and helpful Great building Beautiful decor Delicious food Lots of little extras that made us so welcome. We left looking forward to when we will return!

Review 96：The beds,possibly the worst we have ever slept in,rooms to warm,food in restaurant greatly over priced

Review 97：The service is second to none,decor beautiful,location excellent,staff were of the highest standard!

Review 98：Initially told we couldn't get breakfast because we had missed it by 1 minute thought this decision was reversed when we complained. Still think 10am is too early to stop serving , it should be 10.30am

Review 99：Almost everything!

Review 100：Firstly the staff were fantastic, so friendly and polite. We were made to feel very welcome. The quality of the finishing in the hotel was first class along with the attention to detail.

Review 101：This is an excellent hotel. The staff are very helpful and attentive but not overbearing...nothing was a problem to them. Will certainly be back again

Review 102：The room allocated attic. Windows not open, Very clostraphobic. concrete with holes against windows no view. Same price as new Deco should be cheaper. I was given a good recommendation but very disappointed. I will not be back. The food and lack of staff in Jazz rest was bad

Review 103：the bed

Review 104：We had an unfortunate dining experience which on reflection we feel was Insufficiently dealt with by the staff/management

Review 105：Beautiful hotel and facilities.

Review 106：V cold for events on the rooftop. Everyone was shivering & huddled inside. Patio heaters would have solved this. My room & 3 others had their key locked out 15 minutes before 12 checkout making us all have to go down & back up to reception. No apology was given

Review 107：Hotel didn't have our booking and the room wasn't ready at check in time. Allocated a room which was pretty basic. Ordered a drink from room service which took at least 30/35 minutes to come. Breakfast was just ok...had to ask for toast!!! Not a 5 star experience.

Review 108：Location is good and beds are comfortable.

Review 109：Would have preferred a king size bed as opposed to double. . Bottles of water left in evening of stay instead of on arrival

Review 110：Lovely rooms, breakfast very nice and in excellent surroundings

Review 111：did like the room that i had booked

Review 112：the bar area was a great place to relax and have a drink,the location was excellent the breaskfast area and staff were great!!!

Review 113：Charming friendly staff, excellent location, wonderful food and stunning rooms and facilities.

Review 114：Very cold

Review 115：Not much

Review 116：As a resident having to queue with the Saturday shoppers to get a drink in the cocktail bar!

Review 117：Hotel is beautiful, total luxury

Review 118：Noisy bathroom fan, parking.

Review 119：Very comfy bed, great decor, lovely ambience.

Review 120：Bed super comfy, hot tub, great eoom, Berts bar

Review 121：The large bathtub and the spacious, comfortable room. Great service from staff!

Review 122：The weather

Review 123：The suite was top class

Review 124：Great hotel friendly ,great food and fun in Berts Jazz Bar !Rooms relaxing and great service also breakfast was fantastic in the great room !

Review 125：location breakfast was very good beautiful building