WHERE TOSTAY

Cool and contemporary with a welcoming vibe and excellent service, The Fitz william is a luxurious boutique hotel with a great location right on Victoria Street in the heart of the city’ s Cathedral Quarter, near the Grand Opera House. The atrium is particularly inviting, all chic cosy chairs and sweeping curtains.

Stay in a studio suite and you’ll have the benefit of a floor-to-ceiling glass wall with amazing views as far as the Cave hill Mountains and Belfast Castle, aswell as wonderfully indulgent decor in lime and black, high-speed wireless internet access, flatscreen TV, mini Sony music system, coffeemaker and, the icing on the cake, a cutting-edge, wonderfully spacious bathroom with a separate wet room and standalone bath.

The Restaurant is also of a very high standard, with highlights including smoked Ardglass haddock and fillet of Donegal salmon, aswell as a moreish sticky toffee pudding served with salted caramel ice cream. Breakfasts are very good, with the traditional Ulster Fry on offer for those with big appetites.

On a Friday and Saturday night thehotel is one of the places to be seen in Belfast, and there are countless shops within easy walking distance. From£100per night (aboutDh420), fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com.

Getting there: Flights on British Airways from Belfast to the UAE start from about Dh7,000. Formore information on visiting Northern Ireland go to discovernorthernireland. com.