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Ten Square Hotel

This delightful boutique hotel has established a special niche for discerning visitors to Belfast: it is situated in a particularly attractive listed Victorian building and the location - just opposite the City Hall, and within walking distance of the whole city centre area - is superb.

Although the interior is contemporary, it has been achieved with sensitivity to the original building: a striking feature, for example, is the lovely old stained glass in many of the original windows, which is now subtly echoed in the interior design.

Accommodation - in generous high-windowed rooms, theatrically decorated in an uncompromisingly modern style - is simple yet very luxurious; even the most dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist would be won over by the sheer style of these rooms and they have wonderful bathrooms to match.

Features include well-planned lighting, state-of-the-art entertainment systems and - going a stage further than the usual mini-bar (which, however, includes fresh milk for your freshly brewed tea or coffee) - a collection of drinks, nibbles and bits and pieces that would be worthy of a small corner shop, all neatly tucked away out of sight.

Conference/banqueting 100/150. Children welcome (under 10s free in parents' room, cot available free of charge). No pets.

Rooms 22 (13 junior suites, 2 executive, 2 for disabled). Lift. 24 hour room service. Turndown service. Air conditioning, safe, ISDN, TV/DVD/video channel, tea/coffee-making facilities, iron & trouser press. B&B room rate £175 (max 2 guests). Closed 24-25 Dec.

Restaurant:

This stylishly informal area, which occupies the whole of the ground floor, has become one of Belfast's most popular restaurants and meeting places, and is always busy with non-residents, which gives the hotel a great buzz; the Grill Room is the perfect antidote to other fashionable restaurants in the city, as the focus is firmly on wholesome traditional all-day fare and very reasonable prices.

The theme is colonial and, although there is actually quite a wide range offered on menus that smack of retro, red meat is king here (and very good meat it is too); char-grilled steaks and burgers are served with super chips and well-made classic sauces, and other comforting dishes include 'knife & fork' barbecued ribs.

Staff are warm, welcoming and generally efficient, with none of the stuffiness sometimes encountered in exclusive hotels.

All round, this accomplished hotel is retaining its well-earned its reputation as a top destination in Belfast for discerning travellers.

Seats 120 (private room, 30, outdoor, 72); Live music Wed & Sun. Food served daily 12-10pm (Sun, 1-10pm); L 12-3, D 6-10. A la carte. SC discretionary. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Switch.

Directions:

Corner of Linenhall Street at rear of City Hall