H oused in the former headquarters of Ulster Bank, in Belfast’s quaint Cathedral Quarter, the Merchant is grand from the outside — an Italianate façade adorned with stone columns and cherubs — and palatial inside. Doormen in emerald topcoats and bowler hats lead guests to the Great Room — aptly named given it has enough intricate gold cornicing to make Buckingham Palace blush. Here, even breakfast feels like a special occasion, with colossal chandeliers and a huge log fire that snaps and crackles all day long.
Also impressive are Berts, a 1920s-inspired jazz bar, with nightly live music, and the low-lit subterranean spa where any hangovers can be quickly quashed. Overall score 8/10 Become a subscriber and, along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times, you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners, especially for Times+ members.