WHAT'S IT LIKE? Formerly the McCausland Hotel, the Malmaison Belfast opened in December 2004, and is housed in a 19th-century grain warehouse. Plush purple and black interiors greet guests as they enter the hotel, along with a large old-fashioned shutter camera in the lobby.
WHERE IS IT? Just across the road from the leaning Albert Clock Tower (where the 300 bus to City airport also leaves), and sandwiched between the city centre and the Laganside river development.
HOW MANY ROOMS? 62 standard rooms plus two suites.
ROOM FACILITIES My room 201 looked out to the goods entrance at the back of the hotel – other rooms are front-facing but none have spectacular views (the price you pay for being that bit closer to the city centre than the Radisson). Rooms are stylishly decorated in black and beige, with leather headrests on the beds and soft velvet armchairs and footrests. The images on the walls are of stand-out features of the grain warehouse, and the rooms definitely have the feel of a boutique design hotel rather than a chain of what is now ten properties across the UK.
Facilities include a desk with complimentary wired internet access (wifi is available in the public areas), flatscreen TV, DVD player (there is a library of DVDs available from reception), minibar, tea and coffee facilities, iron and ironing board and a safe. Bathrooms are equally stylish, with modern trough basins and a bath/shower with rainshower heads. The hotel's two suites are called Samson and Goliath (after the huge cranes by the docks) – the former comes with a pool table, nine-foot bed, double-size roll-top bath, two plasma-screen TVs and an iPod docking station.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Food and beverage features heavily at Malmaison hotels – the chain employs dedicated sommeliers and restaurant managers, and the results feel more like standalone restaurants than hotel outlets. Mal has also recently introduced a "homegrown and local" menu, offering frequently changing dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
I tried the Frank Hedderman's glenarm warm smoked salmon with a fresh pea and crème fraiche veloute, followed by the Maurice Kettle's spring rack of lamb with parmentiere potatoes and a tasty aubergine relish. Two courses cost £13.50, three courses £15.50, or you can choose from the normal à la carte menu. There is also a separate bar open 11am to 11pm.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There is a small meeting room cum private dining area on the mezzanine floor, with a capacity for 16 delegates and wifi internet access. A room attached to the Goliath suite called Chateau Mal can also be hired out for small meeting or functions.
LEISURE FACILITIES There is a small gym on the fourth floor.
VERDICT A great boutique hotel with a central location. Like the Radisson its complimentary internet access will attract business travellers, and the restaurant is a cut above similarly graded hotels.
PRICES Fully flexible internet rates for a midweek stay in mid-July started at £125.
CONTACT Malmaison Belfast, 34-38 Victoria Street, Belfast; +44 (0)2890 220 200; malmaison-belfast.com.
Mark Caswell
