One of Ireland’s tallest hotels, the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast, has been awarded a five-star rating by the AA. It joins Hastings Hotels’ other five-star property in Belfast – the Culloden Estate and Spa.
The Grand Central Belfast Now a Five-Star Hotel
The 300-room Grand Central in Belfast was promoted from its four-star ranking, with the AA inspector’s report highlighting its ‘friendly and engaging team’ and ‘highly accessible location’.
It also noted how the hotel’s ‘diverse, spacious and versatile public areas present extremely well, having benefited from some serious investment’ with bedrooms and bathrooms furnished to a high standard.
Since opening its doors in 2018 following a £53million (€64million) investment, the Grand Central Hotel has won numerous awards and welcomed many high-profile guests. They include President Michael D Higgins, Prince Charles, singer Shania Twain and actors Jamie Dornan and Jodie Kidd.
In the linen Quarter in the heart of Belfast, it boasts Ireland’s tallest bar – the Observatory cocktail lounge on the sky-high 23rd floor – which offers unique views over Belfast and beyond.
Seahorse Restaurant Awarded AA Rosette
“We are thrilled to have been awarded a five-star rating by the AA and I would like to pay tribute to every single member of staff as it is because of them that this recognition has been made possible,” said Stephen Meldrum, General Manager of the Grand Central Hotel.
“When we opened almost four years ago, we wanted to bring a different experience to Belfast and we have achieved that. From the very beginning, we have provided a five-star proposition, so it is fantastic for this to have been made official.
“It is great, not only for Hastings Hotels, but also for tourism in Northern Ireland as we continue to produce a first-class offering both in terms of the product and the people.
The hotel’s Seahorse Restaurant has also been awarded an AA Rosette/.This is an accolade given to restaurants that achieve standards that stand out in their local area, serving food prepared with care, understanding and skill and using good quality ingredients.
Five Star Special Offers to Celebrate
To celebrate its five-star rating, the Grand Central Hotel has launched two new packages – the Bollinger Celebratory Overnight Stay (from £80/€95 pps) with a ‘Demi’ bottle of chilled Bollinger delivered to your room on arrival with breakfast the following morning.
Also available is the Observatory Celebratory Experience (£120/€142 for four people) with a table for up to four people in the Observatory to enjoy a bottle of Bollinger, mixed charcuterie and cheese selection served with breads and tapenade, book here or call 0044 2890 231066.
About AA Ratings and Awards
The AA introduced a star rating system to classify hotels in 1912, and in 2006 it developed Common Quality Standards (alongside the main tourist boards) for inspecting and rating accommodation. These standards and rating categories are now applied throughout the British Isles. It also identifies over 2,000 restaurants as the best by awarding them Rosettes for culinary excellence.
