Where is it? Nestled in a side street among the stylish restaurants, bars and galleries of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter.
What's so special about it? The small and exclusive Merchant is Belfast's newest luxury boutique hotel. With only 26 rooms, it provides five-star service in lavish surroundings.
Historic or contemporary? It's a historic hotel with a contemporary vibe. This grand, heritage-listed building is the former headquarters of the Ulster Bank and its site has links to Gulliver's Travels author Jonathan Swift, who once courted the daughter of 17th-century merchant William Waring. Waring set up a tannery and was granted a lease in the street that was later named after him and is now home to the hotel. It is believed a nearby area known as Lilliput Farm in the 1850s may have inspired Swift's tale.
What's the vibe? In keeping with popular Victorian architecture of the day, the Italianate exterior includes sculptures of Commerce, Justice and Britannia. The lobby doubles as an art gallery, showing local contemporary works. The former main banking hall now houses the Great Room restaurant (far right) and its plush velvet chairs. Many of the hall's original features remain, including the gold-trimmed grand central dome and majestic Corinthian columns, and Ireland's largest chandelier dangles from a magnificent glass cupola. Look closely at the wall friezes for plump gold cherubs depicting science, painting, scripture and music.
What's on the menu? The stunning Great Room dishes up traditional delights such as roast halibut and duck a l'orange. The hotel's relaxed bar, The Cloth Ear, offers a menu of casual favourites such as Guinness pie and features quirky decor, including stags' heads and old sheet music on the walls.
What about the rooms? Guest rooms are compact but elegant, with rich furnishings, heavy curtains and marble en suite bathrooms. The beds are super comfortable and rooms are equipped with high-speed wireless internet access and flat-screen televisions.