The Merchant Hotel

Every city has that one hotel – the place where you meet to mark a special occasion, whose name is synonymous with serious luxury.

In Belfast, that’s The Merchant. Right in the middle of the city, the listed building is an Art Deco masterpiece, with plush rooms draped in heavy velvets and furnished with glossy antiques.

The only nod to the modern age is a state-of-the-art gym on the roof, complete with a swish spa and rooftop hot tub.

Despite its historical status, there’s no air of formal stuffiness – instead, it strikes the perfect balance between luxurious and laidback.

The main draw is the cocktail bar – a sleek and elegant room with leather banquettes and bowtied waiters, a tipple here feels like a trip back to 1930s New York.

On drizzly days, a seat by the smouldering open fireplace is the most coveted spot in the city.