Arrival/Check-In: After a very short drive from Belfast Harbour Airport, the airport closest to the city, we arrived at the Hilton Belfast, located in a little cul-de-sac. As we pulled up to the property, I decided to self-park the car; after traveling up a few levels, we found a spot close to the elevator. We took the elevator down to reception and were greeted and checked in.

Guest Quarters: I was traveling with my family, and we secured two rooms across from each other on the executive floor, which offers access to Hilton’s Executive Lounge. The lounge serves breakfast in the morning and complimentary cocktails and snacks in the evening. We used the main dining room for breakfast, which had more variety, and the afternoon reception before dinner.

A king-sized bed took up a big part of the room, but there was a small seating area near the window with a view of the Lagan River. A good-quality work chair and a built-in desk followed the successful Hilton functionality. The room included a large, flat-screen TV; minibar; and comfy bedding in earthy browns, tans and neutrals. The bathroom consisted of a functional setup with a tub/shower combination and bath amenities from Peter Thomas Roth.

Services/Amenities: Off the lobby is the Sonoma Restaurant, which offers modern Irish dishes and views of the Lagan River. We only had their fine breakfast buffet, a welcome treat every morning. On the opposite side of the registration desk is the Cables Bar, where you can enjoy a tapas menu and relax to soft jazz in oversized leather chairs. We had a nice light dinner after attending the opening ceremonies of the Titanic Belfast exhibit.

I did something I had never done before: I checked out and left our passports and a large sum of cash in the in-room safe. I realized this when I was playing golf the following day at the Royal Portrush Golf Course (reviewed in GT June 2012). I made a call, and the staff promised to save the passports and cash (along with a power converter) in the main hotel safe. When we moved to our next venue in Northern Ireland, we swung by Belfast to pick up our belongings. The staff was accommodating and helpful — and I now leave a sticky note on my computer about the in-room safe.

The Experience: The hotel is well suited for any point in the city, and one can easily walk to Belfast attractions, including the Titanic Belfast, and many local restaurants and pubs.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• High-quality bed linens
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Large, complimentary laptop safe
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Complimentary bottled water
• Stocked minibar
• Ample lighting
• In-room coffeemaker
• Iron and ironing board
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Hilton Belfast Hotel

4 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3LP
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
tel 44 28 9027 7000
hilton.com