Malmaison, Belfast

Visitors to Belfast will find themselves in the middle of a huge re-generation. A flurry of new investments and ambitious plans to overhaul parts of this once-troubled city have resulted in a string of new hotels, restaurants and bars all over the city.

The Malmaison on Victoria Street got in there three years ago and is already a well-established name on the Belfast hotel scene. Set in a stunning 19th century former seed warehouse, the 62-room Malmaison is perfectly placed between the Belfast city centre and the Laganside development; just steps away from the leaning Albert Clock Tower.

First off, the reception is all sultry black and purple colours and heavy curtains, giving the place a gothic, almost boudoir-like feel. Very Moulin Rouge.

Thankfully the colour scheme changes once inside the large rooms. Dominated by cream and black, the rooms also feature lots of leather—such as the huge headboard on the bed—even the flat screen television and DVD player are hidden away in a leather case.

My room, may not have offered much in the way of a view, but it was big enough to allow for a generously sized armchair and footrest. A complimentary wired internet connection by the desk makes working online a doddle if you really must.

The bathroom, boasting a rain shower and over-sized bath, is crisp white and black and holds large toiletries, which guests are invited to take with them when they leave.

The hotel also has two suites, named Samson and Goliath after the landmark Harland and Wolff cranes at the docks, which feature additional luxuries such as pool tables, a double-sized roll-top bath and plasma-screen televisions.

Food and drink feature heavily at the Malmaison and both the bar and the brasserie are popular with non-residents with the food highly regarded among locals.

Malmaison now has eleven properties across the UK, but if this one is anything to judge by, they manage to feel more boutique hotels than a chain.