Hotels
Words: Lee Cheshire [ BELFAST ] City planning Belfast has been developing its image for several years – a smattering of stylish bars and reasonable prices have helped to lure city breakers to Northern Ireland’s capital. With the opening of a major new five-star hotel this month, the competition for the business traveller begins in [...]
Words: Lee Cheshire
[ BELFAST ]
City planning
Belfast has been developing its image for several years – a smattering of stylish bars and reasonable prices have helped to lure city breakers to Northern Ireland’s capital. With the opening of a major new five-star hotel this month, the competition for the business traveller begins in earnest.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel, right next to the Grand Opera House, is operated by the same people as the Fitzwilliam in Dublin, Hotel Partners. Which means it’s a sumptuously designed contemporary boutique hotel with all the finishing touches you’d expect at this level – including four meeting rooms with the latest audiovisual equipment and free broadband and CD players in the bedrooms. VIPs are catered for by a penthouse suite with panoramic views over the city, and a private dining room set in a glazed pavilion overlooking the main lobby, complete with oak panels and a custom-made boardroom table for 16.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel, 1-3 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, www.fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com
[ RIYADH ]
High life
Stay at the Four Seasons in Riyadh and you will never have a problem finding your way back to your hotel. It occupies floors 30 to 48 of the bottle-opener-shaped Kingdom Centre, the tallest building in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh’s most imposing landmark. The five-star hotel is a haven of international luxury, even fitting in an outdoor pool, a feature not normally associated with skyscrapers. The centre also includes a shopping centre and the world’s highest mosque. But when the view is this good from your bedroom why bother leaving it, except maybe to take the lift up the tower’s sky-bridge, suspended 300m above the city?
www.fourseasons.com/riyadh
[ NORTH-EAST ENGLAND ]
Period piece
Pulling up to Crathorne Hall after a 15-minute drive from Durham Tees Valley airport is like stepping into a Merchant Ivory movie. This neoclassical stately home, which was built in 1906, has over the years hosted British prime ministers, lords, ladies, the late Queen Mother, Prince Charles and, not least, comedian-turned-bird watcher Bill Oddie. Now it’s a hotel, everyone can enjoy its serene 15 acres, grand bedrooms, and elegant restaurant. Although perfect for weddings, businesses are well served too, with seven meeting rooms – the largest fits 100 – and free internet access in all rooms. It’s Gosford Park for the Noughties.
Crathorne Hall is just one of the hotels you can book at flybmi.com
