"Back up: Give us the wide-angle view of this place.Before it became known for its tragic ending, the Titanic ocean liner was renowned for its opulent design and state-of-the-art facilities. All that majesty was envisioned in the Drawing Offices at the headquarters of the Harland & Wolff shipbuilders—now a heritage-listed building housing this vibrant hotel. Centered around the original Victorian Drawing Offices, with their three-story-high, barrel-vaulted ceilings (it’s the only remaining example of this type of architecture in the world), the hotel opened in 2017 following a two-year restoration project led by conservation architects. Many of the building’s original flourishes remain, and are now accented by pieces that reflect the Golden Age of ocean liner travel, from Art Deco-style furnishings and nautical-inspired decorative items (like hanging ship lanterns) to vintage B&W passenger portraits, White Star Liner memorabilia, and 720 antique Villeroy & Boch tiles around the central bar that came from the same batch that lined the Titanic’s swimming pool. Sounds lovely. And the rooms—classy, or tacky?The place is far from theme-y: the 119 rooms and suites are bright and modern, with Egyptian cotton-topped beds, high-pressure rainfall showers, and free WiFi. Food and beverage: Worth it?You can choose from refined, chef-driven menus (and views of the historic slipways and Titanic Belfast museum) at The Wolff Grill, handcrafted cocktails at the stylish The Harland Bar, and light bites, classic Afternoon Tea, and more drinks around the tile-lined bar in the Drawing Office Two lounge, located under those famous barrel-vaulted ceilings. In other words, there's plenty for everybody. At the end of the day, why are we booking a stay here?Blending nods to the city's history and heritage design details with contemporary amenities and vibrant hangouts, this is one of the most interesting places to bunk in Belfast." - Sandra Ramani
