Titanic Hotel Belfast

The building that now houses Titanic Hotel Belfast was originally part of the Harland & Wolff shipbuilding company during the 1880s. The Drawing Offices were constructed in 1885, featuring enormous windows and skylights, not only maximizing natural light for designers and engineers, but also providing views of the stars on which navigation relied. As the name suggests, the building was where Harland & Wolff’s engineers and designers planned and drew their mighty vessels, including the legendary RMS Titanic and her siblings. In 1910, a three-story administrative building was added to, with further expansions continuing a decade later. Another floor was subsequently added, though this one provided social spaces such as tea rooms.

A century later, Harland & Wolff vacated their headquarters in 1989, leaving the complex as a reminder of Belfast's glorious past. It wouldn't be until 2016 that a partnership involving the Titanic Foundation, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Harcourt Developments initiated its restoration. Engineers, designers, and artisans needed to undo decades of neglect and conserve the building's architectural features. Floors were reconstructed, and pavilions were added back as part of the refurbishment. Restorations concluded in September 2017, bringing the derelict Victorian structure back to life, rechristened as the Titanic Hotel Belfast.

Long before it became the Titanic Hotel Belfast, these buildings were the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices and headquarters. It was built in stages, starting from 1885 up until the early 20th century. The twin drawing offices were particularly notable for their barrel-vaulted ceilings featuring huge windows and skylights. These were intentionally designed to capture as much of the northern hemisphere's natural light. In a way, the feature is seen as both functional and emblematic of Victorian industrial architecture. As Harland & Wolff was also a shipbuilding company, their buildings were made with materials and craftsmanship applied to the ships themselves. Examples include sections supported by mild steel riveted with iron, and areas featuring decorative plasterwork.

The restoration and conversion to a hotel that took place between 2016 and 2017 sought to preserve and highlight the original architecture while adapting it for contemporary use. Heritage elements included the barrel-vaulted drawing offices, the red brick and sandstone facade, restored floor and wall tiles, and historic timber joinery. These are complemented by modern additions like the reinstated pavilions and interior design showcasing 20th-century nautical motifs and Art Deco influences connected to the era of the Titanic and other Atlantic liners.

Drawing Office Two

Relax and unwind in one of the loveliest spots in the hotel - Drawing Office Two, the former offices of Harland & Wolff's designers. Admire the architecture and bask in the warm natural light while enjoying your meal. Aside from the daily breakfast, they also offer an all-day menu for food and drinks. This includes freshly baked morning treats and coffee, light bites, hearty burgers, sharing boards, and casual options for lunch and dinner.

Opening hours:
Morning treats: 9 am – 12 pm
All-day dining: 12 pm – 9:30 pm

Wolf Grill

The Wolff Grill is the main restaurant of Titanic Hotel Belfast, promising sit-down lunches and dinners, along with delightful Sunday roasts. Menus focus on a la carte items and seasonal offerings that combine locally sourced Irish produce with the bounty of the sea. Notable specials include Irish beef fillets and rib-eye steaks, seared fillets of hake and seabass, and confit duck leg with mango chili salsa. Vegetarian options are also plentiful, like burrata with spring vegetables or pea and parmesan arancini. Breakfast is also served in the same space, offering a buffet of both continental and Irish favorites. While there, don't miss out on Sunday lunches, which are a beloved British tradition.

Opening hours
Breakfast:
Weekdays: 7 am – 10:30 am
Weekends: 7 am – 11 am
Dinner: Monday to Wednesday: 5 pm – 9:30 pm
Lunch & Dinner: Thursday to Sunday: 1 pm – 9:30 pm
Sunday Lunch: 1 pm – 9:30 pm

Afternoon Tea

Treat yourself to a splendid afternoon break with the Titanic Hotel Belfast's Afternoon Tea service. Enjoy a sequence of tasty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with jam and cream, and an assortment of pastries and other desserts. All these are paired with a selection of loose-leaf teas or coffee prepared by Wolff Grill's kitchen team. No need to fret either in regards to dietary restrictions, as they also offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options upon request.

Availability: 12 pm - 4:30 pm

Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance, and can be done through the hotel's email or official website.

For a unique backdrop for your matrimonial celebrations, make your vows amidst the iconic shipyards of Belfast. Titanic Hotel Belfast’s wedding services let you hold ceremonies and receptions within a series of heritage locations. The main venues comprise spaces around the restored Harland & Wolff headquarters and Drawing Offices, where RMS Titanic was first designed.

The hotel is licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships, while historic venues feature a variety of unique details. Large spaces like Drawing Office One boast high vaulted ceilings, while more intimate settings were adapted from the former offices. Wedding planning and coordination will be supported by a dedicated team who will assist from the planning all the way to the wedding day.

Here is a selection of the hotel's venues:

Drawing Office One – The largest venue at the hotel, offering plenty of natural light.
Capacity: 300 guests

The Boardroom – Large hall that can be prepared for ceremonies and banquets.
Capacity: 80 guests

Chairman’s Office – Intimate yet spacious enough for a moderate-sized wedding.
Capacity: 40 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

The Northern Irish capital offers plenty of culture and history to immerse yourself in. The hotel itself is part of the Titanic Quarter, the city's historic shipyard district, responsible for building the RMS Titanic and the eponymous HMS Belfast. Guests are even encouraged to explore the hotel's public spaces via self-guided tours, marveling at the heritage architecture and memorabilia about the maritime industry on display.

Right outside the hotel is the Titanic Belfast museum, an educational attraction showcasing the Titanic and Belfast's maritime history. Though not linked to the Titanic's story, the two colossal Samson and Goliath Cranes are protected as historic structures and part of the city's skyline. And for a bit of military history, the HMS Caroline participated in both World Wars and is now open as a museum ship.

Weddings aren't the only big events celebrated at Titanic Hotel Belfast. The management and staff are happy to welcome private functions and corporate gatherings, preparing bespoke venues and lovely packages to choose from. The event spaces vary from the grand Drawing Office One, perfect for large galas and conventions, to small Heritage Rooms suited for intimate get-togethers. The spaces can, of course, be configured in a variety of formats, such as for banquets or presentations.

Here are a few of the venues you can hire:

Drawing Office One – Largest venue at the hotel, featuring a cathedral-like style.
Capacity: 300 guests

The Boardroom – Spacious hall that can be configured for presentations and weddings.
Capacity: 80 guests

Chairman’s Office – Stylish room with antique furniture and parquet floors.
Capacity: 40 guests