The Merchant Hotel is now a five-star luxury hotel; originally the building was the headquarters of the Ulster Bank.
The building is in the Italianate style and is a fine example of high Victorian architecture. It features sculptures depicting Commerce, Justice and Britannia, that look down benignly from the apex of the magnificent facade.
In July 2009, the Merchant Hotel won the “World’s Best Hotel Bar” competition. In 2010, it was awarded World’s Best Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail awards. It is currently a Grade A listed building.
Do you want to learn more about the history of Belfast? Join me on my People and Places Tour!
