The Grand Central Hotel has every excuse to be pretentious, it oozes elegance and sophistication with its luxurious style and contemporary touches… but instead, what comes naturally with the ultimate Belfast city centre location is of course, our world renowned good old fashioned Belfast hospitality.
We were greeted with a smile at every door and polished reception and a ‘bend over backwards’ attitude that makes this combination of friendly down to earth service with a luxury high quality hotel, something pretty special indeed.
I arrived with my husband, Jim and our man child, six-month-old, Solly. I had envisioned waltzing into the opulent foyer like something out of a Hollywood movie. Instead, we blustered in with the buggy, the baby buried under our numerous bags and baggage of nappies, bottles and sterilisation do-dah’s. We were greeted with a friendly face and checked into our room, Lindsay at reception was very helpful in giving us an overview of the hotels facilities and offered her assistance throughout our stay.
Our room was on the 19th floor and the views across the city were simply stunning! From our large floor to ceiling windows we were overlooking City Hall and could clearly see our iconic yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath of Harland and Wolff. The room itself was wonderful, well equipped, spacious and had everything we needed and more; not to mention very plush and stylish. Solly had his travel cot and Jim and I had a very large, dangerously comfortable bed. Everything was great quality, from the bedding to fittings and fixtures to the large smart television and high end bathroom toiletries; all the ‘i’s’ have been dotted and ’t’s’ crossed when it comes to the finer details that really do make the push from a good hotel to a really great one.
We discovered Belfast through the eyes of a tourist and really, what a city we have to offer. A few steps from the revolving door, manned by an employee in a top hat and tails (I didn’t get his name but I like to imagine he’s a ‘Tarquin’ or ‘Pippin’ or something else suitably swish) and into the city streets and we’re greeted with Theatre, historical pubs, restaurants and coffee shops on every corner and buzzing nightlife. Solly in tow, we opted for a low key bite to eat and a peaceful cappuccino in the town as we watched the footloose and fancy free enjoy the festivities of a Saturday night. Then we took a stroll through the busy streets before heading back to the tranquil peace of our room to don our white bathrobes and slippers like Lord and Lady of the manor, (all the best hotels adorn their guests in fine white cotton and plastic wrapped slip-on’s, so I expected nothing less from the Grand Central). The most important aspect of a great night away, for me anyway, is a great night’s sleep and that box was well and truly ticked. Despite being right in the heart of Belfast on a particularly busy night, all was quiet up on cloud 9. Well, it was quiet and still until Solly took a hissy fit at 3am but that’s life with a teething baby.
Breakfast in the Seahorse restaurant was super. Continental and cooked breakfast options are available, my favourite addition of course had to be the traditional porridge with cream and whiskey… Sure if you can’t have whiskey for breakfast in Belfast, where can you? All of the produce used in the Hastings kitchen is thoughtfully and locally sourced. I was quite impressed with the little hybrid they call a “scruffin”, it’s what happens at Hastings hotels when a scone loves a muffin very much and they come together in love and a tasty hybrid is born and they call it a Scruffin… I had two. Jim tucked into his full Irish fry and didn’t say a word until the plate was clean. We both waddled back up to our room for a quick food coma revival nap before we had to pack up and check out of heaven and go back down to real life on earth.
Without doubt, we left the Grand Central Hotel very happy, well looked after and feeling a little bit special. It’s the perfect balance of convenience, style and sophistication with great customer service and hospitality that made us feel welcome as soon as we stepped inside. We would be delighted to return at any opportunity, I think the next visit will have to include an afternoon tea… and maybe leave the baby with his Granny and Granda!
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