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(028) 90 234 888
35-39 Waring Street
Belfast
County Antrim
BT1 2DY
Northern Ireland
| Mon-Sun | 24 hours |
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The Merchant Hotel reviews (21)
04/02/12
We went here last night as part of my 18th birthday for cocktails. The atmosphere was very relaxed but got a bit boring after a while.
As it was my 18th birthday I did expect to be asked for ID however not one person spoke to us on the way in and the waiters didn’t seem at all concerned with my age, definitely not what I expected from the Merchant.
The cocktails were nice but the menu was a bit boring to look at, far too much writing so once you picked a drink you tend to stick with it the whole night.
15/01/12
To be honest, we would not return to the Merchant. The Great Room is the architectural gem of this hotel, but corners are cut for the guest rooms: worn carpets and headboard upholstery.
Upon arrival to the Merchant, the porters must have been out for a late lunch, because we had to unload our bags from the car ourselves, fetch the trolley, load the cart, and push it up the ramp into the doorway. Building up a sweat and getting a bit rained on would not usually bother us, but this struck as substandard.
The food in the Great Room is of decent quality. The food in Bert’s Bar, however, was not good: overpowering tomato in a beef dish, and overly salty caramel under a chocolate mousse. Cheap entertainment; the “best in live jazz” would have actually been a pleasure to listen to.
Patchy WiFi; warm (though not hot water) in the jacuzzi; and, earlier closing time for the jacuzzi (at 8pm). After taking the time to fill out a review for the hotel, the Merchant wrote back that they “apologise” and will retrain their staff accordingly. Maybe they should “retrain” for 5-star status.
10/11/11
It is the small touches that make the difference & the merchant have plenty of them. When making our reservation we informed them that our two year old would be accompanying us. The lengths they went to to ensure that our stay was relaxed & enjoyable was truly commendable. They thought of everything from a bottle warmer to various sizes of nappies.
26/07/11
Timothy Belmont has arrived at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast for an overnight stay. I have a commodious and well-appointed bedroom on the second floor; and it’s in the original Victorian section.
I have been shown the main reception rooms, including a gymnasium and spa-pool on the sixth floor which is at the top and affords a splendid prospect of the city.
I am presently in the Cocktail Bar, which overlooks Waring Street and boasts a magnificent ceiling and opulent furnishings.
A gold-coloured Rolls-Royce Phantom is parked within feet of me.
The Cocktail Bar of Belfast’s Merchant Hotel is an agreeably civilised place. The plasterwork and chandeliers on the ceiling give the room a distinct air of grandeur.
I have a dinner reservation at eight o’clock, and I’m spending awhile in the bar prior to donning the feed-bag.
I whiled away an hour in the spa pool on the top floor earlier with some convivial company of other residents, including a pleasant South African lady who lives in southern Spain.
Good old Bertie! This cove knows how to look after his clientele. Bert’s Bar is an appendage of the Victorian Merchant Hotel, Belfast. Bert’s can be entered via High Street.
There’s a three-piece jazz band - double bass, drums and piano - playing here as I write.
Despite it being a Monday, the dining-room is fairly busy. I was brought a bowl of fresh, crusty bread with a ramekin of butter and minced olives.
My dinner has been very good, consisting of a kind of egg and ham croquette with a salad garnish; then confit of duck with Lyonnaise potatoes and fresh, seasonal vegetables.
To be truthful, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It must be nine-fifteen and I’m listening to the trio with a modest glass of Beefeater, opposite St George’s Church in High Street.
The attention to detail is one important ingredient which makes this hotel de luxe and the best of its kind in Belfast.
By way of example, when I returned to my room last night, some member of staff had wafted in and brought out the tray with tea, coffee and biscuits; and there were many other little touches of detail, too. The curtains had been drawn and my bed sheets neatly pulled back a few feet.
Breakfast was fit for a merchant prince. As one would expect, it was superlative.
I breakfasted in the Great Room of Belfast’s Merchant Hotel, once the banking hall of the Ulster Bank headquarters. The domed ceiling and surrounding plasterwork in this room is indeed superb, what with putti and angelic figures looking down on us, many of them gilded.
The seating and upholstery is luxurious, an opulent maroon velour with abundant gold detailing.
I was shown to my table and asked if I’d like some fresh fruit-juice and tea or coffee. Having a brief perusal of the menu, I chose the full, cooked breakfast.
It arrived speedily, as did the selection of toast and pastries.
Breakfast was served on a large plate and consisted of sausage; two rashers of lean back bacon; half a tomato; a large whole mushroom; two thick slices of black and white pudding; an egg, a little disc of potato bread; and soda bread. Have I omitted anything? I think not.
Of course the menu had other items thereon, including smoked salmon and scrambled egg.
Superlative.
12/04/11
Cocktails are great however the food was ok, the decor is fabulous and service was excelliant I would have liked to give it 5 stars but I felt the food in the main restaurant and especially in the jazz restaurant let it down
18/02/11
Went yesterday afternoon for afternoon tea with my family, even though this is a little overpriced with a price of £16.50 ahead and £26.50 ahead if you would a glass of champagne with your afternoon tea I have to say it was a fantastic experience, the deserts and scones were lovely and the service was superb. Nice for a treat once in a while.
12/02/11
Went for a meal and drinks last night for valentines it was slightly overpriced but it an amazing hotel, decor and very romantic Belfast best hotel by far!
03/01/11
Took the better half here on New Years Eve 2010/2011. Arrived here after a filling meal at Hakka Noodles. Was quieter than I expected for a New Years Eve, wasn’t complaining staff were very friendly as you would expect for the “Worlds Best Cocktail Bar”. First time experience for the girlfriend, she enjoyed all the bar flaring. Glad to see the staff put on a bit of a show.
Drinks were top notch as usual, and when midnight came the staff shook everyones hand and wished all a happy new year.
A great night out.
26/10/10
We stayed in the newly completed part of the hotel in September and as I have frequented the hotel a number of times before I was looking forward to seeing what the new extension had to offer. Unfortunately what I experienced has meant I would be very reluctant to stay here again.
Check in went smoothly and we were shown to our room which was decorated in an impressive art deco style. Overall the room was nicely decorated though I feel the room service menu in terms of price and the quality of the food we ate let it down slightly.
The major problem came when we used the valet parking service (£15 a night). Unfortunately very shortly after my car was returned I noticed some visible scratches on the back bumper of my car. I spoke to someone at the hotel to raise the matter and was informed someone more senior would be in touch. Later that day I received a voicemail from a member of staff and was advised to send photos of the damage. I took some photos of the damage and emailed them to the hotel. I spoke to someone at the hotel at that point who assured me there would be a full investigation into how the damage had occurred which would involve speaking to the staff who dealt with the car and checking CCTV.
I heard nothing more from the hotel until about a week and a half after the incident when I received an email stating that all reception and concierge staff who were on duty on the weekend of my stay had been spoken to and the hotel was confident that the damage to my vehicle was not as a result of any fault on the part of any of their employees and that the hotel was therefore unable to accept liability. I was obviously disappointed with the response and the fact that no one had contacted me by phone to let me know. I was also very surprised that there was no mention of the CCTV I had previously been told about so responded asking to view the footage only to be told that there was none. Again I was surprised and asked that someone ring me to discuss this.
I received a phone call from another member of staff about the matter. I was told there was “miscommunication” about the CCTV and that only CCTV from outside the hotel existed and not in the car park. I was told this CCTV had been checked but was on a rolling loop. Staff had been asked about the matter and no one admitted to causing any damage. I was assured that the staff drive a Rolls Royce (?) and so are very careful. According to this member of staff only one other car had been damaged in their care before and the staff member who caused the damage had admitted it at the time. It was made clear that the hotel fully trust in their staff’s integrity.
Unfortunately I don’t.
I feel the way the matter was handled was disappointing overall. I find it very odd that any business can offer such a service and not have a better system in place for this sort of issue. To use this service, it seems you must place all your trust in the driver(s) and rely on them alerting you to any damage they cause and if you have a problem it is literally your word against theirs. And from what I have seen, the customer certainly is not always right.
All in all I feel very let down by somewhere I had previously regarded quite highly and had regularly recommended to friends and colleagues. I will certainly never use their valet parking again and would recommend anyone who does so really does it entirely at their own risk.
10/10/10
Stayed here overnight with high expectations, however was slightly disapointed with the restarant service, as the staff serving us who was a senior member was more intersted in having conversasions with the only other customers in the jazz restaurant and playing with there phone and neglected are sevice. Definately not 5*. However the food was great.
30/09/10
Just stayed in the new Art Deco wing of the hotel and it’s every bit as good as the original Victorian wing. 5-star service and splendour everywhere and with the Spa and gym facilities now part of the new extension this has to be one of Ireland’s best hotels.
17/09/10
This is a lovely hotel,i had a great evening here last saturday,fantastic wines,and the cocktails realy hit the spot,havent eaten here yet,but looking forward to my next visit.
16/09/10
Must be the best hotel in Ireland. From the valet parking through to checkout guests are made to feel as special as Hollywood A-List. Breakfast was the best I’ve had in years. Can’t wait to go back and stay in the new art deco extension.
13/09/10
I’m using this place as my 5star standard, against which all other places I review on Lookaly shall be judged!
Doesn’t need my recommendation - everything they’re doing & have done over the last few years is where it’s at…
Food - Check
Drinks/Cocktails - Check check
Service - Check check check
Atmosphere - Check check ch… You get the idea!!
Treat yourself to this place…
25/08/10
Might be a bit pricey but the husband treated me to an anniversary dinner which was outstanding!! My haddock starter was to die for and my steak cooked to perfection! The setting, food and service are to die for!!Highly recommended!
21/08/10
Stayed in the Merchant last night in the new rooms. Stylish, with personality and the team really nailed the service.
It’s the best hotel in Belfast.
19/05/10
Flippin heck! We were bought 2 nights here as a wedding present, and I have to say, I’m the most horrendous hotel critic having worked in hotel & catering for a good few years back in 90s.
But this place delivers. Attentive, attention to detail, discreet, flamboyant without being ostentacious, very relaxed, friendly but confident staff, not at ALL snobby. And the cocktail bar IS really good.
EXACTLY as a true quality hotel should be.
It remains to be seen if they can maintain this level of service with the new rooms they are building - I hope they can. They deserve to.
Awesome.
08/04/10
Treated ourselves to a cocktail here last night, heard they were good and they were excellent.
Very fancy hotel, with a fancy cocktail bar to go with it. You’re greeted with a small selection of crisps and pretzels when you take a seat.
Pricey, with cocktails starting around £8, but a nice treat.
23/02/10
Cocktail menu is like a novel so you will find something weird and wonderful that you will like! £8.95 for majority of cocktails. Well worth the money as the cocktails where made, presented and tasted incredible. Perfect for a few drinks for a special occasion to set you up for a good night
08/11/09
Tried The Merchant for lunch last week and it was excellent. Stared with the Scallops with a main course of Cod. Although the portions appear small I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Service is impeccable as you’d expect
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