We were some of the first to check into The Bedford Hotel Belfast, the new name on everyone’s lips

There’s a real buzz around Belfast right now. Once overshadowed by its larger UK neighbours, Northern Ireland’s capital has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting city-break destinations, thanks to its booming food scene, thriving arts culture and ever-expanding luxury hotel offering. 

The newest arrival, and arguably the most anticipated, is The Bedford Hotel Belfast, which opened in 2026 following a multi-million-pound restoration of an historic Scottish Mutual Building overlooking City Hall. Originally designed in 1904 by architect Henry Seaver, this landmark has long been woven into Belfast’s history and now begins an elegant new chapter as the city’s most talked-about boutique stay. Joining the chatter, I was one of the first Brits to check in.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

The Bedford Hotel Belfast review

Hotel snapshot

Hotel name: The Bedford Hotel Belfast
Location: Donegall Square South, directly opposite Belfast City Hall
Address: 15–16 Donegall Square South, Belfast BT1 6JH
Number of rooms and suites: 82 guestrooms and suites
Brand: Independent luxury boutique hotel
Date opened: Early summer 2026
Design style: Restored Scottish Baronial architecture with Edwardian detailing and contemporary luxury interiors
Family amenities: Spacious suites, interconnecting options and a central walkable location
Prices from: Around £138 per night, depending on room and season.

New, but full of historic charm

Yes, The Bedford may be Belfast’s newest luxury opening, but stepping inside feels like entering a building that has always belonged to the city. First built in 1904 as the headquarters for Scottish Mutual Assurance, the red Ballochmyle sandstone landmark has undergone an extensive restoration led by RFM Hotels, carefully preserving its Edwardian grandeur while transforming it into a contemporary boutique retreat. 

Ornate stonework and original tiled walls have all been lovingly retained, and there are nice nods to Belfast’s heritage throughout, like artworks celebrating local icons including Lord Kelvin and aviation pioneer Lilian Bland.

Rooms and suites

The 82 guestrooms and suites strike a thoughtful balance between classic elegance and contemporary comfort. My Junior Suite was very generously sized, dressed in warm emerald tones with a large pillow-top bed. The best thing was the cinematic views across Belfast City Hall, which I could enjoy from both the lounge and the bed. Don’t worry, sensitive sleepers – the windows are well soundproofed (I believe they were triple-glazed) and the curtains are cleverly designed to overlap and keep the room completely blacked out.

Modern luxuries come as standard too, including fast Wi-Fi, 55-inch Smart TVs with streaming and Chromecast, and a Lavazza coffee machine. There was no fridge at the time of my visit; however, as I was one of the earliest in, I suspect these might be added later. Charging sockets included USB and USBC, enabling guests to charge multiple devices at their convenience.

My bathroom had a nice monochrome and glass finish, with a rainfall shower and toiletries from Acqua Di Colonia. These came in miniature bottles, and I’m hoping that in future they will be provided in large, eco-friendly format instead. I tried not to use more than one set for my two-night stay. The edge-lit mirror in the bathroom was very flattering. Bathrobes and slippers were provided in the wardrobe.

Food and drink

The hotel’s signature restaurant with adjoining bar, The Nineteen Hundred, is led by celebrated Executive Chef Noel McMeel, and its menu champions Northern Irish produce. We shared the mixed grill and the rump of Mourne lamb, which were decent, but the starters stole the spotlight. The “best” seafood chowder was truly the best. As much as I first doubted it by name. It was certainly a warm hug on a very rainy day.

We also dined here at breakfast, and I was pleasantly surprised by the service in the morning. Our waitress remembered our exact coffee order, and everyone was always accommodating. I noticed The Nineteen Hundred was busy all day with locals, as it was with overnight guests, no doubt thanks to its prime position in the city centre and meticulous service such as that which we received.

Wellness

At my time of visit, there was no wellness facility; however, we opted to get our sweats out and about the city. Belfast is wonderfully walkable, and there was plenty to keep us busy…

Things to do

Compact enough to explore easily on foot yet packed with culture, history and excellent food, Belfast has all the ingredients of a perfect long weekend destination. 

No first visit is complete without spending time at Titanic Belfast, the city’s world-famous museum dedicated to the ill-fated ship built just a short distance away. The immersive exhibitions are brilliantly done and worth booking in advance, particularly on weekends. The gift shop has some hilarious items…if you ever fancy being painted like a French girl (!).

We loved wandering through St George’s Market for local food stalls and live music before strolling along the Maritime Mile, where Belfast’s industrial heritage and modern waterfront developments sit side-by-side.

Beyond the big attractions, Belfast rewarded our curiosity. We joined the Taste & Tour Belfast Food Tour, which offered an introduction to the city through its diverse food scene. We hopped between independent restaurants, markets and pubs and tasted delights like Lumberjack French toast with locally brewed coffee, and a marmalade cocktail in a swanky jazz bar. The tour was full of locals, too, all happy to share their stories about life in Northern Ireland, alongside the knowledgeable guide. Brilliant fun, with generous feasting.

Speaking of, we had dinner at Holohan’s Pantry, which some describe as Belfast’s ‘only true Irish cuisine restaurant’. The atmosphere was warmly traditional, and we loved the Irish Sunday Roast with all the trimmings.  There was also “Boxty” on the menu, a traditional potato pancake. I admit, it wasn’t my favourite eat, though I had it as a plain side. Boxty was also available as a main with roast chicken and veg, more appealing and how I’d want to try it in future.

Finally, for those in Belfast on a budget, there are plenty of free attractions. The massive Ulster Museum was fantastic, and right next to it was the expansive Botanic Gardens, and entry for both cost absolutely nada.

Getting there

One of Belfast’s biggest advantages as a city-break destination is just how easy it is to reach from London, with multiple daily flights taking little more than an hour. We took Easyjet, which went from London Stanstead (via Stratford for us, on the National Express).

Belfast has two airports: George Best Belfast City Airport, which is the closest to the city centre and around a 10-minute taxi ride from The Bedford, and Belfast International Airport, located roughly 30 minutes away by car. 

From Belfast City Airport, taxis and rideshares are plentiful, while the Airport Express bus from Belfast International drops passengers into the city centre within walking distance of the hotel. We took Value Cabs, which you can prebook for airport pick up or drop off at an affordable price.

Frequently asked questions: The Bedford Belfast Hotel