Luxury Hotels in Northern Ireland

Introducing Northern Ireland

The otherworldly Giant’s Causeway. The Mourne Mountains and Monastic Islands. One of Europe’s most epic road trip routes. And a booming food scene lit up by Michelin-starred restaurants. With its natural wonders and buzzing capital, Northern Ireland has it all. When it comes to Belfast, the travel spotlight is just starting to shine on this under-the-radar city break destination – with stately buildings, Titanic Belfast and Ulster Museum perfect for exploring the great indoors.  

Practical Information

Capital city
Belfast

Currency
Pound Sterling – in £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.

Cuisine
Provenance is key in Northern Ireland. Look for farm-to-fork dining that makes use of locally-grown produce such as Comber Early potatoes and Armagh Bramley apples. Lobster, langoustines, oysters and mussels are among the seafood must-tries.

Tipping etiquette
Tip for excellent service in restaurants and hotels – around 10-20% is typical – and round up taxi bills. 

Saying hello
Most generally greet other people with “hello”. 

When To Go

For those who like a milder climate in summer, Northern Ireland is spot on – and May sees the Maritime Festival sail into Belfast. Winter is cool and sometimes stormy, so take warm coats and embrace the wild outdoors in all their dramatic beauty. Christmas lights up the capital, making it a magical time to stay, while spring sees its Botanic Gardens come into bloom. And in autumn, Derry is the place to go for frightfully exciting Halloween celebrations. When it comes to the spectacular Causeway Coast, there’s rarely a bad time to visit. 

Top Tip from SLH

This is Game of Thrones country and you can follow in the footsteps of the King in the North(ern Ireland) at Castle Ward in County Down, which doubled as Winterfell, as well as the ethereal Dark Hedges in County Antrim.