Europa Hotel Belfast
by the TopOfHotel team
Europa is the Belfast icon — a Hastings Hotels heritage building next to the Grand Opera House and the Crown Liquor Saloon, scoring 8.7/10
Europa is the Belfast icon — a Hastings Hotels heritage building next to the Grand Opera House and the Crown Liquor Saloon, scoring 8.7/10
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Europa is a 12-storey 1970s Modernist building that has kept its interiors refreshed over the years. The lobby is large and runs a Piano Lounge with a live pianist in the evenings. All 270 rooms are done in a classic-contemporary style with Hypnos beds, Irish Linen sheets, and marble bathrooms. One guest wrote that it is an old-school hotel that still feels grand every time you walk into the lobby. The Clinton Suite and the top-floor penthouse are open for anyone to book. Some reviews note the classic rooms are not as modern as the Grand Central — but that is the Europa's own particular charm.
Food and amenities
The Piano Lounge in the lobby is a local evening meeting point, with a live pianist and cocktails at prices that stay reasonable. The Causerie Restaurant serves contemporary Irish food, and afternoon tea at the Piano Lounge runs $34 a head — good value. The fitness room is fully kitted and open 24 hours, and there is an airport shuttle. The concierge can sort theatre bookings at the Grand Opera House, a table at the Crown Liquor Saloon, a Black Cab Political Tour of the murals along Falls Road and Shankill Road, and a Game of Thrones locations tour that leaves straight from the hotel.
Location and getting there
The Europa sits on Great Victoria Street in central Belfast, right next to the Grand Opera House, the city's classic theatre. The Crown Liquor Saloon, a Victorian National Trust pub, is directly across the road. Great Victoria Street Station is just 2 minutes on foot — the departure point for trains to Dublin on the Enterprise service, which takes 2 hours 5 minutes. Belfast City Hall is a 5-minute walk, the Cathedral Quarter about 10, and the Titanic Belfast Museum is roughly 10 minutes away on the Glider Bus. Belfast City Airport (BHD) is 5km out, about 15 minutes by car.
Things to know before booking
The rooms are classic in style and will not feel as modern as the Grand Central — fine if that is what you are after, worth knowing if it is not. The Great Victoria Street frontage picks up heavy traffic noise, so ask for a room facing Glengall Street at the back instead. And rates start at about $129 a night, which runs higher than several of the more contemporary hotels in the city.
Our take
This is the Belfast stay for anyone who wants the city's history under the same roof as the theatre. The Europa has carried 50+ years of it, the Grand Opera House is next door and the Crown Liquor Saloon across the street, and it still feels grand without trying too hard. Pick a back-facing room, book a show through the concierge, and you have got the easiest theatre weekend in town.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A Belfast icon open since 1971, with its own history running through the Troubles era.
- The best location in the city for show-goers — it is right next to the Grand Opera House.
- The Crown Liquor Saloon, a Victorian National Trust pub, sits directly across the street.
- Runs under Hastings Hotels, the flagship Northern Ireland group, so the service is dependable.
- Great Victoria Street Station is a 2-minute walk, with easy trains to Dublin.
- The rooms are done in a classic style and are not as modern as the Grand Central next door in the rankings.
- The Great Victoria Street side picks up heavy traffic noise, so ask for a room facing the back on Glengall Street.
- Rates start around $129 a night, which runs higher than some of the more contemporary hotels in town.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room on the Glengall Street side — it is quieter than the busy Great Victoria Street frontage.
- Bundle Grand Opera House tickets with your stay — the concierge can sort it out for you.
- Have dinner at the Crown Liquor Saloon across the road and grab one of its classic Victorian snug booths.