Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [519]
Bienvenue Guesthouse (off Map; 9066 8003; bienvenueguesthouse@hotmail.com; 8 Sans Souci Park; s/d £45/64; ) Set in a grand Victorian house with a tree-lined garden in a quiet side street off Malone Rd, the Bienvenue’s four rooms offer hotel-standard accommodation, with period antiques (including a half-tester bed in one room), direct-dial phones, 24-hour reception and daily newspapers.
Camera Guesthouse (Map; 9066 0026; www.cameraguesthouse.com; 44 Wellington Park; s/d £48/62; ) A cosy, welcoming Victorian B&B with an open fire in the drawing room, the Camera is set in yet another of South Belfast’s peaceful, tree-lined terraced streets. The friendly young couple who own the place manage to create a family-friendly atmosphere, and are a fount of knowledge on what to see and do in town.
Old Rectory (off Map; 9066 7882; www.anoldrectory.co.uk; 148 Malone Rd; s/d £50/80; ) A lovely red-brick Victorian villa with lots of original period features, this former rectory has four spacious bedrooms, a comfortable drawing room with a leather sofa and fancy breakfasts (wild boar sausages, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, freshly squeezed OJ). It’s a 10-minute bus ride from the centre – the inconspicuous driveway is on the left, just past Deramore Park South.
Tara Lodge (Map; 9059 0900; www.taralodge.com; 36 Cromwell Rd; s/d £70/85; ) This B&B is a cut above your average South Belfast guesthouse, and feels more like a boutique hotel with its stylish, minimalist decor, friendly, efficient staff, delicious breakfasts, and 28 bright and cheerful rooms. Great location too, on a quiet side street just a few paces from the buzz of Botanic Ave.
Malone Lodge Hotel (Map; 9038 8060; www.malonelodge.com; 60 Eglantine Ave; s/d/apt from £75/85/100; ) The centrepiece of a tree-lined Victorian terrace, the modern Malone Lodge has pulled in many plaudits for its large, luxurious rooms with elegant gold and navy decor, good food and pleasant, helpful staff. It also offers five-star self-catering apartments (both one and two bedroom).
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AIRPORT ACCOMMODATION
Park Plaza Hotel (off Map; 9445 7000; www.parkplazabelfast.com; Belfast International Airport, Aldergrove; r from £70; ) Immediately opposite the terminal at Belfast International Airport, the 106-room Park Plaza has a business centre and conference facilities.
Park Avenue Hotel (Map; 9065 6520; www.parkavenuehotel.co.uk; 158 Holywood Rd; s/d from £79/99; ) The classy 56-room Park Avenue is the nearest hotel to Belfast City Airport (3km away), and only 3km east of the city centre.
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Crescent Town House (Map; 9032 3349; www.crescenttownhouse.com; 13 Lower Cres; s/d/tr from £75/85/110; ) Another stylish boutique hotel with a perfect location, the Crescent is an elegant Victorian town house transformed into a den of designer chic, with its finger on the pulse of the city’s party zone. Rooms have silky, Ralph Lauren–style decor and luxury bathrooms with Molton Brown toiletries and walk-in rain-head showers.
Outside the Centre
Dundonald Touring Caravan Park (Map; 9080 9100; www.theicebowl.com; 111 Old Dundonald Rd, Dundonald; tent/caravan sites £12/20; Mar-Oct) This small site (22 pitches) in a park next to the Dundonald Icebowl is the nearest camping ground to Belfast, 7km east of the city centre and south of the A20 road to Newtownards.
Farset International (Map; 9089 9833; www.farsetinternational.co.uk; 446 Springfield Rd; s/d £34/48; ) This community-run venture in West Belfast is best described as a posh hostel. The bright, cheerful, modern complex, set in grounds overlooking a small lake, has 38 rooms with private bathroom and TV. Rates include breakfast, and in the