The Grand Central hotel in Belfast opens

Lobby of the hotel
1024 576 Hamish Kilburn
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The latest addition to Belfast and the seventh hotel in the Hastings Hotels portfolio, Grand Central Hotel, which features Ireland’s tallest bar, has opened its doors…

Northern Ireland’s tallest hotel, standing 23-storeys high on Bedford Street, aims to bring a new era of glamour and grandeur to the heart of Belfast as it opens today. This Grand Central, which we took a sneak peek at the other week, is a contemporary reincarnation of a Victorian hotel with the same name that stood on Royal Avenue from 1893 to the 1970s. Inside, past the warm Irish welcome, are historic stories that have inspired contemporary design. The new branding for the hotel incorporates the Seahorse, a further nod towards Belfast’s Coat of Arms and a celebration of the City’s Maritime history.

Belfast-based RPP Architects, which is also working to redesign and modernise Belfast Harbour, was responsible for transforming Winsdor House into the new Grand Central Hotel. Briefed by Hastings Hotels to create a larger hotel that can cope comfortably with the growing demand of business travellers in the area, the award-winning architects have seamlessly added an additional 104 guestrooms bringing the total more than 300.

Guestrooms

At Grand Central Hotel, guests will be welcomed into rooms and suites offering privacy, relaxation and comfort. The Grand Central Hotel offers intricately designed luxury bedrooms including 10 suites, all with spectacular views over the city. Thoughtfully crafted as a cityscape sanctuary, all rooms are contemporary in design with touchable, tactile fabrics and state-of-the-art finishes. Furthermore, each room and suite is complemented by modern amenities and the famous Hastings Hotels Cloud Bed.

guestroom boasting stunning views of the city

Drinks & Dining

The hotel features three exceptional restaurants and bars, giving guests the option to wine and dine in laid-back elegance and true grandeur style.

With its own private entrance off Bedford Street, The Grande Café, showcases a vibrant yet stylish design. The walls of windows flood the space with natural light whilst the sweeping counter and assorted seating invites all manners of get togethers.

open-plan restaurant

A further homage to Belfast’s maritime history, the Seahorse Bar & Bistro on the first floor will offer two distinct spaces within one exquisite venue.

The jewel of Grand Central will be The Observatory, opening in September 2018. Located sky-high on the 23rd floor, this awe-inspiring cocktail lounge provides incredible panoramic views over Belfast and beyond. From pavement to panorama, this is the highest bar in all of Ireland The Grand Central is all about showcasing the very best of Belfast, and with decadent décor and stunning vistas, the Observatory does that in high-definition.

Meetings and events

The two meeting rooms – the Blackstaff and the Farset – are appropriately named after the rivers of Belfast. The meeting areas are complete with two boardrooms and the Panorama Suite – a spectacular, 80-seat reception room. Each event space can be adapted for a wide variety of business and social events, from meetings to conferences, private dinners and press conferences.

 

A legend reborn, the Grand Central Hotel is a new jewel for Belfast with an old soul, very much open for business.

Hamish Kilburn / 18.06.2018

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