Belfast has welcomed a new link to its famous ship with the opening of the new Titanic Hotel in the Northern Irish capital.
The city’s newest luxury hotel opened its doors this weekend following a £28 million restoration of the former Harland & Wolff drawing offices and headquarters. The 119-room hotel has been transformed with the help of a £5 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant secured by the Titanic Foundation.
During the restoration the telephone exchange, which received the first communication of Titanic hitting the iceberg, has been retained. Designers have tried to make the hotel as authentic as possible, with porters wearing period costumes on hand to welcome guests to the hotel.
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Director of hotel operator Harcourt Developments, John Doherty, told Northern Irish press: “To be finally ready to open this historical and authentic hotel is another mark in the history of Queen’s Island. Titanic Hotel Belfast is a hub of heritage and legacy, and we’re delighted to open the doors to the public and our first guests on Sunday.
“To celebrate, the Queen’s Island Male Voice Choir will be performing in the drawing offices after we create a bit of theatre and fanfare when officially declaring the hotel open at noon.”
