Malmaison Belfast

The proprietors of the stately old McCausland Hotel already did the hard work of converting these two 1850 warehouses in the heart of Belfast into a top-class luxury hotel, leaving it to Jestico + Whiles to work a little bit of design magic, making this place fit to wear the Malmaison name.

At just 64 rooms, it’s the smallest and most intimate of the chain, and it’s possibly the most stylish, blending a number of historical references into a surprisingly modern cocktail. No shocking pink blobs or space-age titanium here—more like dark and elegant vampire chic meets Titanic-era nautical opulence. It may sound odd on paper, but to the eye, the bar’s black velvet furnishings, porthole windows and black wood panels make quite an impression, especially if you’re used to the prevailing whites and creams of London’s boutiques.

It’s more than just the color scheme—the staple Malmaison brasserie is warmly lit by hundreds of candles, and tables are delightfully private, behind solid black partitions. Forget seeing and being seen; you’ll want to bring someone whose company you not only tolerate, but enjoy, as you’ll be seeing quite a lot of them.

Rooms are decadently comfortable, if not quite as striking as the public spaces—but to be honest, we care more for soft and inviting king beds and sensibly luxurious bathrooms than any sort of in-room design statements. Colors are rich, red and brown leather, with more of that black wood paneling, and all the necessities are accounted for, from flat-screen TVs with DVD players to oversized rain showers.

Fine for business, with a small fitness center and wi-fi access throughout; and fine for pleasure as well, especially the Samson and Goliath suites, spacious, with exposed beams and complimentary champagne. The Samson suite even comes with a billiard table, and, presumably, the soundproofing to match.