Holiday Inn Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

In October we spent a long weekend (3 nights, 4 days) in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

We took a long-distance bus [Translink Goldline] from Dublin's Bus Arras Station to Belfast Great Victoria Street Bus Station. A return ticket cost 25 Euro (ca. 32.10 USD).

From Great Victoria Street Station in the center of town the Holiday Inn Belfast was only a very short walk - ca. 10 minutes - away. It is in a good location, neighbors are the BBC Northern Ireland, RTE, a Nando's and a Pizza Express.

The hotel made a solid impression and was well integrated.

When entering the first thing we encountered was a pink bench and a large modern painting. The Junction Restaurant and the Bar which serves Starbucks was to the left and the reception and elevators to the right.

The Holiday Inn has also a spa, fitness center, hair salon and the only hotel swimming pool in Belfast.

Check in was quick and friendly.

We had booked a King Executive Room. All executive rooms and suites are located on the 7th floor. On the landing a free coffee/tea station is waiting, where you can help yourself to your favorite beverage.

Our room overlooked the BBC. It was large and contemporary with Asian touches, for example  dragon tapestry and shutters. The wooden head board reminded us of a tropical island.

There was a huge open wardrobe, a mini fridge (unstocked), a comfortable king sized bed, a coffee table and two chairs, a writing desk and large TV with regional channels.

The color scheme was brown, red, lilac and grey.

The photographic artwork featured important Belfast landmarks we all visited during our stay (The Titanic Belfast, the City Hall and Victoria Square Shopping Center).

There were tea and coffee making facilities, free water and snacks, a Terry's Orange Milk Chocolate bar, a Nutri-Grain Fruity Breakfast Bar Apple and an Acti-Snack+ Mangos, which was replaced daily, even so it stated these were only welcome amenities, a very nice touch.

The Executive Room also included a free movie from the pay per view section per night. At first the hotel had problems with their TV system, so when we wanted to use the free movie option it didn't work. Finally it was available, but we were too tired and the other nights too busy to watch a film.

The free internet was fast and reliable.

Our bathroom was large and completely tiled. We liked the rainbow colored mosaic tiles in the bath tub / shower combination especially.

There was also a sink and toilet.

The amenities were from The White Company and contained rose, Jasmin and nerolis. We know The White Company from other hotel stays and like the products.

Another perk of an Executive Room was no tray charge for in room dining and 20% off food and beverage.

We had in room breakfast and dining. Once we went to the Junction Restaurant for dinner.  A review of this is going to follow soon.

Continental breakfast was 12.90 GBP per person (ca. 16.40 Euro or ca. 21 USD).

There was a tick sheet on the room we filled out. For 3 GBP more hot items were also available.

We chose coffee, orange juice, whole wheat toast, jam and honey, cheese, fruit salad and fruit yogurt. It set us up nicely for the day and was delivered on time by a friendly member of staff. We were glad we used the in room dining option, because the hotel can get extremely busy with meetings and conferences. In our case the heads of all universities and colleges of Northern Ireland were meeting.

Our in room dinner consisted of a large bottle of still water, one Tia Maria, one starter sized House Salad, one chicken, roasted pepper and Cooleeney Brie Panini and a fruit salad. We liked the quality and flavors. The portion size was generous too. Waiting time was a bit long with 45 minutes. The cost was 24.35 GBP (ca. 31 Euro or ca. 39.10 USD).

We enjoyed our stay tremendously, using the excellent location to explore Belfast. City Hall, shopping, Ulster Hall, St. Malachy's Catholic Church and the Engine Room Gallery are a very short stroll away.

Too soon check out approached. It was again very busy and we had to wait about ten minutes. Check out itself was done very quickly.

We would return, because the staff is efficient, helpful and friendly, the rooms are beautiful and comfortable, the food is good and the location is just perfect for our needs. The hotel represents good value too.

©2014

Holiday Inn Bur Dubai - Embassy District, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

After spending one night at the InterContinental Residence Suites Festival City, Dubai, to relax we took a taxi to the Holiday Inn Bur Dubai - Embassy District for our five night stay.

We arrived after check in time, but our room wasn't ready yet, so we were invited to go to Anwar Restaurant and have something to drink and eat. Since we weren't hungry, we just had juices.

The check in was completed by the reception manager.

The lobby was extremely busy with a large Indian group arriving at the same time as us.

After having been handed over our key cards we went to our room. The bell captain arrived at the same time with our luggage.

We had booked an Executive King Bed Room overlooking one of the courtyards.

There was just one window, making the room mellow and elegant. It is a great space to represent for business or relax with a family.

The room was very large with separate sitting area, including a sofa, chair, coffee table, writing desk and luggage rack.

There was also a hallway with a large wardrobe.

The bed was large and comfortable with a credenza in front and a flat screen TV, offering thirty five international and regional channels.

There was also a minibar containing Coca Cola, Sprite, Johnny Walker Red Label, Chivas Regal and other drinks.

The wooden furniture was dark and had beautiful inlays, which continued throughout the room. The upholstery of the sofa and chair was kept in gold tones.

The red carpet had a circle of life theme and the artwork, depicting autumn landscapes, integrated well with the color scheme of the room.

The bath room was medium in size with bath tub / shower combination, Lauf Pro sink, bidet and toilet.

The bath room amenities were by Ecokind. We hadn't had them before, but liked them.

As IHG Rewards Club members we also received free breakfast at the Two Guineas Pub, free internet access, free daily newspaper, 2 PM late check out if available - we didn't need it, since we had an early flight back home - and room upgrade, subject to availability. We didn't receive one, because the hotel was fully booked due to the conference taking place, but we enjoyed our room and had consciously chosen it in the first place.

A welcome card and gift was waiting for us - in this case a fruit basket.

Turn down was done every night and included replenishing of the bottles of water and camel milk chocolates on the bed.

Additionally there was a 15% discount at the Anwar Restaurant, the Two Guineas Pub or if using the mini bar and in room dining.

Beside the pub and restaurant there is also a cafe and Murjan Pool Bar.

The hotel has meeting facilities, a pool and fitness center.

We loved taking the bubble lifts, revealing views into the stunning atrium with a lot of gold decoration and Anwar.

Every morning we made our way to breakfast. The choice was good with international, Indian and Arabic dishes.

The staff was attentive and friendly, remembering where we liked to sit and what drinks we wanted. We were also offered omelettes made to order and a take away breakfast on our last morning was easily arranged, because we had to leave for the airport before breakfast was available.

We used in room dining twice. We had Spaghetti Bolognese on each occasion. The portions were huge, so we weren't left hungry for sure. The 15% discount was calculated into the bill I had to sign when our server delivered the pasta. It was 98 AED (ca. 21.05 Euro or 26.70 USD) for two.

On one evening we received an invitation to the managers reception. We had already plans, so we couldn't make it. We appreciated the thought, though.

The location was ideal and one of the reasons we chose the Holiday Inn. It is just a few minutes’ walk from Bur Juman Shopping Mall and the Metro station with the same name, giving easy access to the city.

Check out arrived too soon. It was done fast and correct.

We were very happy during our stay. The food was very good, the room was inviting, comfortable and beautifully furnished and the staff couldn't have been more helpful, friendly and efficient.

When we are back in Dubai we definitely are going to return to this hotel for a further few nights.


 ©2014