Hotel review: Heritage features and modern services blend in these restored townhouses

8/10

Style & design

Created in two restored Georgian townhouses, built around 1846, these have been refurbished to bring them back to their former glory — with heritage features like sash windows, cornices and elegant fireplaces, blended with modern services like high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs and rainfall showers, all seamlessly integrated. The suites are full of character, with antique furniture, lamps, cosy fireplaces and record players. One has a private courtyard with a firepit table. There are old maps and books and the house’s history is honoured too. The Mayor’s Suite is named after Robert Boag, the townhouse’s first resident who was mayor of Belfast in 1876.

10/10

Service

Service is flawless and friendly here. At check-in in the comfy parlour, everything is explained, with information on the area and a tour of your room. Each suite has a welcome platter with nuts, olives, fruit, cheese and crackers plus a plate of macarons and brownies, and the fridge is stocked with welcome drinks. Breakfast is served to the suite on a tiered wooden stand. There’s a 24-hour butler/concierge, and they’ll valet park your car in the private car park and bring it back around to the front the next day. There’s also a laundry service.

10/10

Guest rooms

The bedrooms are extremely comfortable and luxurious, with king-size beds, robes and slippers. They are also quiet, as the street is away from traffic. Bathrooms have both a free-standing bath and a rainfall shower. Luxury toiletries are supplied with an eye cream, lip balm and sleep spray from The White Room beside the bed. The five suites range from the 68.5sq m Garden Suite to the two 102sq m Loft Suites which are set over two floors, with two bedrooms. The Presidential Suite comes with a dining table for six (the name is apt as a former US president has stayed there). Eight new guest rooms, a mix of executive and heritage rooms will open in March 2025.

10/10

In-room perks

Each suite has a fully-equipped kitchen with cutlery, crockery and glasses, pots and pans, two ovens, fridge/freezer, a dishwasher, washing machine, De’Longhi coffee machine with fresh beans, a Qooker boiling water tap, tea and herbal tea. There is Prosecco or wine, plus beers, soft drinks, mineral water and milk in the fridge. Sitting rooms have a gas fire, a smart TV and a writing desk while the drinks trolley is stocked a cocktail shaker, jigger and tall glasses.

10/10

On the menu

There’s no restaurant but the kitchen is so well equipped, you could even bake a cake! There are plenty of restaurants and takeaways within walking distance. A filling breakfast is served to the suite — ordered the night before from the menu. The selection of bread and pastries includes Irish stout wheaten bread, muffins, bagels and scones. Hot dishes include delicious black pudding sausage rolls and a filling goats’ cheese and sunblush tomato quiche. There’s also cereal, yoghurt, fruit and juice.

7/10

Activities & amenities

There’s no pool, gym or bar. There’s a cosy parlour for guests with snacks and soft drinks, plus a private outdoor courtyard with a firepit table. There is plenty of street parking to the front and a private car park to the rear. A restaurant piano lounge and wellness suite will open in March 2025, along with the eight new guestrooms. Regency House is running Crescent Sundays on September 29, October 6 and 20, with food by chef Michael O’Connor and live music. There are also storytelling evenings on select dates.

6/10

The bill

Suites start at £350.

The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Regency House.

Our overall rating: 9/10

Room to improve? The restaurant and expansion next spring will complete the offering.

Access for guests with disabilities? Temporary wheelchair ramps are available and there is one suite at ground floor level although this may not suit all needs. There will be one fully accessible bedroom from Spring 2025.

Family-friendly? Families are welcome. Some suites have two bedrooms. They can supply highchairs, cots, baby monitors and baby baths plus plastic crockery/cutlery. Each suite has a box with games, storybooks, puzzles and toys.

Dogs welcome? Assistance dogs can stay in the Garden Suite, which has a private courtyard.

EV chargers? There is an EV charger across the square on Lower Crescent.

• 11-12 Upper Crescent, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT7 1NT
• regencyhouse.co.uk