The Grand Central is Northern Ireland's tallest hotel.
CHECK-IN
Inspired by Belfast's original Grand Central Hotel - a glamorous address that once hosted the Beatles and the Rolling Stones but was demolished in the 1980s - this new incarnation ranks as Northern Ireland's tallest hotel. Rising 23 storeys,it's a sibling of the famous Europa,which was labelled"the most bombed hotel in Europe"after being targeted 33 times during"The Troubles"of the late 20th century. You're right in the middle of the revitalised Northern Irish capital here,a few streets from the Europa,in eye-sight of City Hall and part of the emerging Linen Quarter,which harks back to the Victorian age when industrious Belfast was nicknamed"Linenopolis".
THE LOOK
Rooms are quietly classy and functional.
The old Grand Central was a place to see and be seen,and so is this. The double-height lobby is bright and sleek,with veined marble flooring and vast windows for watching Belfast blur by,either from the cosy upholstered chairs near reception or at the Grand Cafe,an elegant all-day eatery,where guests go for decent continental and cooked-to-order breakfasts. Upstairs,there are spaces for meetings and weddings,plus The Observatory,a top-floor piano bar where cocktails from £14 ($26) are named after the Belfast sights and districts you'll glimpse. Among them are"Titanic Quarter"- where mighty yellow cranes loom at the yard that built the iconic ship - and"Napoleon's Nose",a craggy cliff visible in Belfast's backdrop of green peaks. Beers,wines,spirits,bar bites and afternoon tea (with gin,if you like) are also served here.
THE ROOM
There are splendid views,too,from many of Grand Central's 300 rooms,which range from 25-square-metre doubles to 77-square-metres for the suite honouring the hotel's late founder,Sir William Hastings. I'm in a deluxe double,on the 22nd floor,and when I'm not gazing over Belfast,I'm relaxing in a cotton robe on a king Cloud Bed,laden with goose feather and down duvets and pillows,or scenting bergamot and jasmine ESPA toiletries in the bathroom,where there is a separate tub and walk-in shower. Well-soundproofed,my room is quietly classy and functional,with woven carpets and colourful fabric chairs,throw and cushions,a generously-sized built-in wardrobe,large wall TV,Roberts Bluetooth radio,and tea-making facilities,though sadly for this caffeine addict,there's just instant rather than"real"coffee. Suites,including ones named after prominent old Belfast linen merchants,have coffee machines.
FOOD&WINE
In the stylish first-floor Seahorse Restaurant,Bar and Lounge,mull over bygone maritime Belfast photographs and craft displays and order from inventive menus rich in Irish produce. Starters (£7-12) include roasted local scallops with Jerusalem Artichoke veloute and black olive oil. Herb-crusted rack of Mourne lamb with potato fondant,celeriac puree and rosemary is among the mains (£17-30). For a room-service snack,the seasonal soup with Guinness and treacle bread (£6) may entice.