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Original poster

Belfast - 1 night 2 days

27 replies

pontipinemum · 23/01/2024 15:25

For Christmas my mam has 'bought' a night in a hotel in Belfast for DH and me. She will mind DS.

Any thoughts on where would be nice to stay? I am pregnant and DH doesn't drink so doesn't need to be in the thick of it. But I would like to go for good dinner and maybe a pub after, I'd image we will be in bed by 11pm though! It will most likely be mid-week as well so not sure how lively anywhere will be.

We're about a 2 hour drive so thinking of heading up early day 1 and doing a black cab tour and maybe just exploring the city a bit. Day 2 I want to see the titanic experience.

Any suggestions are very welcome :) Thinking of going mid April

OP posts:
TheRulerofThings · 24/01/2024 17:16

If the budget stretches to it the Merchant Hotel is very nice.

hopeishere · 24/01/2024 17:19

Titanic Hotel
Grand Central
The Merchant
Malmaison
The Fitzwilliam

All good! Have a lovely time.

cursethebaggins · 24/01/2024 17:30

For food, the muddlers club and Yugo are a couple of the best I've been to in the last few years.

eggandonion · 24/01/2024 17:36

Are you driving up or taking the train or coach? Just in terms of access and ease of parking if you don't know the city.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 25/01/2024 12:44

My mam is giving us €200 but I am happy to add to that, so max about €350 it is was very special. We will probably stay a Thursday so should be a little cheaper.

@eggandonion we'll be driving, so we will need to have parking at the hotel. But happy to take a bus into the city for dinner and a taxi back.

I had been looking at the Titanic hotel. I'd like it to be a bit special we haven't had a night away just the two of us since before DS was born and probably won't get away for ages ages DC no 2 is born.

OP posts:
glasshouse · 25/01/2024 15:33

Piggybacking for any insider info on taxi tours, food, pubs etc. I'm over for a couple of days and would love the insider knowledge on places to go etc. Anything to do with Van Morrison appreciated for a fan coming with me.

eggandonion · 25/01/2024 17:07

My husband really wants to stay i the Titanic Hotel...we always have our dog with us and they arent dog friendly! It would be a short enough taxi ride into the city centre and taxis are pretty cheap. Or stay somewhere like Malone Hotel which is easier to get to and well served by bus. Belfast city centre is fairly compact compared to Dublin.
I assume that the taxi tours will do Hotel pick ups...I need to organise one for visiting relatives who want to go to specific places. The hotel might be able to advise.
Last time we were in Belfast we had a good meal in Deanes at Queens which I think has a posher restaurant in the city. And we liked the Chubby Cherub which is mid price...although we thought prices in restaurants had gone up.
If you can get an east Belfast taxi tour that should cover Van and George Best and some murals.

eggandonion · 25/01/2024 17:15

@glasshouse just googled...Van self guided walking tours seem to be a thing...you could contact the taxi tours. If you have a car the trip round the Ards Peninsula from Coney Island would be fun. And good food in Strangford!

AuntieMarys · 25/01/2024 17:28

Titanic hotel is fantastic

glasshouse · 26/01/2024 09:39

@eggandonion thank you so much. I'll get on to it now. Love the username - great combo.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 18/02/2024 22:14

@eggandonion @AuntieMarys I am going to book the Titanic hotel tomorrow, got dates finalised with my mam who very kindly is going to mind our toddler.

I am looking at the dinner package with the Titanic hotel, is the food good? The reviews are all over the place. We are not fine dining people. We are "we like to be full people" DH 9/10 will always order a burger.

It most likely will have gestational diabetes so will be very restricted on what I can eat carb wise so no pizza/ pasta places. Possibly a big steak house in town? Might be more craic to have dinner in town then a few drinks before going back?

OP posts:
eggandonion · 18/02/2024 23:45

Had to discuss with dh who spends more time there than me. His best recent food was Deanes at Queens which has a bib gourmand award...the michelin bistro one. It is near the main university area if you want nightlife.
We tend to go for Italian and Indian of we are there together because im vegetarian so it suits us both.
We haven't been in the Titanic but I can imagine we would go for the dinner deal because we are lazy like that. We had a fine dining deal elsewhere last year but the bar menu looked more our style.
I hoped it has an excellent breakfast!

eggandonion · 19/02/2024 00:01

Oh...good luck with the new baby!

Sleepwhatsthazzz · 19/02/2024 00:03

Cathedral quarter has a few nice restaurants. House of zen and dumpling library for Asian.
Laverys likely have a comedy night on a Thursday as well, if you like that sort of thing.
Pubs around the cathedral quarter such as the harp bar, whites, Duke of York, the thirsty goat, often attract tourists and locals. Grannie Annie's or fibber Maggies.

Hotel wise I'm afraid I haven't stayed in many fancy ones. Typically now I go for cheap cheerful and clean.

AuntieMarys · 19/02/2024 07:12

pontipinemum · 18/02/2024 22:14

@eggandonion @AuntieMarys I am going to book the Titanic hotel tomorrow, got dates finalised with my mam who very kindly is going to mind our toddler.

I am looking at the dinner package with the Titanic hotel, is the food good? The reviews are all over the place. We are not fine dining people. We are "we like to be full people" DH 9/10 will always order a burger.

It most likely will have gestational diabetes so will be very restricted on what I can eat carb wise so no pizza/ pasta places. Possibly a big steak house in town? Might be more craic to have dinner in town then a few drinks before going back?

We ate in the bar at the Titanic...Good burgers

Original poster
pontipinemum · 19/02/2024 09:11

@eggandonion Deans looks good. When I say go out for a bit after, DH doesn't drink, I'm pregnant and even when not I mostly don't drink either but it'd be nice to sit down in a nice pub for an hour after. It's impossible to get my husband out so I want to make the most of it.

OP posts:
mirror245 · 19/02/2024 11:16

The food in titanic is good but it's still 'hotels'. Not much atmosphere. If you're only here for one night I'd go into town for the atmosphere. Lots of places playing music from early in the day (if you like that sort of thing). Deanes is a good shout.

eggandonion · 19/02/2024 11:28

What about the Crown Bar for a drink?

eggandonion · 19/02/2024 11:32

Son in law who is hip and trendy likes the Duke of York. He meets clients there.
I feel very old...my son in law meets clients.

purplesmiler · 19/02/2024 11:51

Please visit St Georges market- for the atmosphere and the amazing food/drink. We are going for our third trip to Belfast in April and this is a priority for us.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 19/02/2024 12:22

@purplesmiler the market looks good!

Any taxi apps for Belfast?

OP posts:
Octocat · 19/02/2024 12:26

Fonacab has an app. I think Value Cabs might do too.

Octocat · 19/02/2024 12:28

You could look at staying at Grand Central Hotel, which is in the centre of town. You could walk from there to the Meat Locker easily, and also St George's Market if you fancy that. Not sure about parking though.

Octocat · 19/02/2024 12:29

If you were to go to the Merchant (again, v convenient for walking about) there are a few outdoor public car parks within 5 mins walk.