There is a hotel in Belfast that spent decades with its front windows boarded over. Today, the lobby smells of something clean and faintly floral, perhaps lemon verbena.
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The valet appeared before Chris had fully stopped the car. He took our bags and chatted with us as he guided us into the lobby. We left the tension that had joined us during the last part of our drive outside.
The woman at reception was warm and professional. She seemed genuine. Not performative.
We were early, and our room was ready.
A hotel that refused to close
Europa Hotel opened in 1971 as The Troubles escalated into its darkest and deadliest years. It became the base for international journalists covering the conflict. Reporters from around the world filed stories from a burning city.
Soon, the Europa Hotel Belfast was given the moniker Hardboard Hotel because its front windows were broken so many times that they were boarded over with hardboard. Rooms at the back, the ones that still had windows, rented for £10 more per night.
Over the course of The Troubles, the hotel was targeted by bombs an estimated 33 times. Thirty-three. It is the most bombed hotel in all of Europe, and some say the world.
No one perished. It never closed.
The hotel celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. Still standing. Still open. Still impeccable.
Distinguished guests of Europa Hotel Belfast
The Irish Times declared the Europa Hotel to be as much an icon of Belfast as the Titanic. Its guest list over the years is equal to it, well, almost.
In 1995, President Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Northern Ireland. He and his entourage stayed at the Europa, booking 110 rooms. He came back in 1998. Brad Pitt has stayed here. Julia Roberts. Bob Dylan.
The Classic Room
Ours was on the ninth floor. It was the smallest room we’d had on this trip, yet it was so well-designed that neither of us felt it. Chris had a spot to work from. I had a spot to work from. The bed was a proper size. I ironed a dress for dinner without feeling like I was performing contortions in a phone booth.
From the window, we could see Belfast Grand Central Station. If you’re arriving in Belfast by bus or train, you’ll be within a short walk of the hotel. I do not recall hearing any trains during our time in the hotel.
The Piano Lounge
Before dinner, we went to the Piano Lounge.
It is fancy. Not intimidatingly so, fancy in a way that feels like a reward rather than a test. We ordered the warm bread (£6), and I had a French 75 served in a glass that made me feel elegant. Chris had a Golden Mile. The service was impeccable. The space is glamorous.
If I’d known beforehand that our day’s adventures would make us miss lunch, I’d have made reservations for the Afternoon Tea. I envied a few tables around us enjoying it, but our humble-by-comparison bread and fancy drinks contented us. Next time.
The Causerie
We ate dinner and breakfast at The Causerie. More relaxed, still lovely from the food to the service. The music in the morning was something from maybe the 1940s, classy. I ate Irish Soda Bread and eggs and mushrooms and half a tomato and drank a pot of Thompson’s Peppermint Herbal Tea, which is, I now know, the best peppermint tea I found anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
The service here was warmer in a different way than the Piano Lounge. We joked with our server. It felt easy. Both restaurants are excellent.
The small things that aren’t small
A few things that I want to share because, though they may be small details, they improved our stay immensely:
- There are washcloths in the bathroom. This is not a guarantee in Great Britain or Europe, and after enough nights without them, the presence of a washcloth becomes a minor occasion.
- The laundry service. I had never sent laundry out at a hotel before, except to be pressed. I told the woman at the desk I had no idea what I was doing. She walked me through the whole thing, explained that wash-only (not dry cleaning) was available by the bag for £22, and in doing so saved us somewhere in the neighborhood of £70. Also, thanks to her determination, we fit all our laundry into two bags instead of three. The service at Europa Hotel is excellent in the ways that matter: the staff is paying attention, and they’re on your side.
Travel Tip: While perhaps not always advisable, when something is unfamiliar and you don’t know what you’re doing, say so. The vast majority of people want to help you and share their knowledge. I’ve been doing this more both at home and on my travels, and it’s given me so many opportunities to be grateful for the kindness of strangers.
- Thompson’s Tea in the room. I’m a fan of their Peppermint Herbal Tea, specifically. I’m ordering some for at home.
- Europa Hotel Belfast is one of the pick-up spots for the Iconic Belfast Black Cab Tour. If you love history, you should absolutely book this tour. We cannot recommend it enough. It sells out often. Book your tour.
- The Crown Liquor Saloon, located right across the street, is as historic as it is gorgeous. We reserved a snug for dinner one night.
The reason we stayed isn’t the reason we’ll return
I wanted to stay at the Europa Hotel Belfast because of its history. While I don’t consider myself a history buff, I like reading about it, watching documentaries, and visiting historic sites. Before our trip to Northern Ireland, I read Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe, which I highly recommend. Chris and I watched the television series based on the book together.
But I want to return because of the hotel’s marvelous attention to detail and warmth of service throughout.
And oh my gosh, even the hand wash in our room was amazing! ESPA Bergamot & Jasmine is luxurious, vegan-friendly, and lovely. It may seem trivial, but it improved the quality of my stay. Chris probably didn’t notice. I’m ordering some for our home and some tea. Buy ESPA Bergamot & Jasmine hand wash.
Plan your stay at Europa Hotel Belfast
Address: Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AP — walking distance from Belfast Grand Central Station and the Cathedral Quarter.
Rooms: The Classic Room is compact but well-designed. Ask for a higher floor for city views; the 9th-floor views of Grand Central Station are lovely. More spacious room options are available: Superior, Executive, Junior Suite, and the Titanic Suite.
Dining:
- The Piano Lounge — cocktails, light bites, and Afternoon Tea (book ahead). Glamorous and worth it.
- The Causerie — breakfast and casual dining. Warm service, great ambiance, and Irish Soda Bread.
Practical notes:
- Valet parking available — if you’re driving into Belfast, it’s worth every penny.
- Laundry service
- Thompson’s Tea in the room. Try the peppermint.
Book Europa Hotel Belfast with Expedia.
This is part of our 5 Days in Northern Ireland itinerary.
If you’re building an Ireland trip, our travel guide can help. It pulls everything together: our favorite destinations, four itineraries, and all the practical details in one place.
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