Located in the heart of Belfast’s city center, just steps from Belfast City Hall, Room2 Belfast looks from the outside like any other urban hotel. But this eco-friendly property bills itself as a “hometel” — a cross between a home and a hotel — “providing a place to live not just to stay.” It offers personal touches with a commitment to sustainability and community.
Room2 Belfast is the fourth of the Room2 properties and the first outside of England. It opened in October 2023. It features 175 guest rooms across nine floors, a bar and café/restaurant, a tea room, meeting and event spaces, a gym, and numerous lounges, and co-working spaces.
A greener future
Room2 Belfast is part of the Lamington Group, a London-based development whose goal is to be net zero by 2030.
The core ethos of “people and planet” is showcased in Room2’s environmental approach. The fully electric property is powered by state-of-the-art solar panels that general 100% renewable energy.
Other touches are more visible. The check-in desk is crafted from recycled plastic shampoo bottles, the bar is made with recycled glass, and the boldly patterned carpeting found in some of the public spaces is made from recycled fishing nets. And because Room2 Belfast is big on biophilia — the hypothesis that humans tend to connect with and function better in nature — the lobby and public spaces overflow with greenery.
Even the food has a low carbon footprint. The menu at Winnie’s Café and Bar incorporates local producers and seasonal ingredients. And some of the cocktails are made from excess coffee grounds. In addition, hotel staff regularly host sustainability workshops for guests and locals.
Room2 Belfast is accredited Gold by Green Tourism, an internationally recognized sustainability certification.
Staying at Room2 Belfast
Room2 Belfast bills itself as more than just a place to crash overnight — it promotes staying “for a night or a month.” As such, it offers a unique selection of room styles.
There’s the “Bedroom,” which is a standard room; the “Studio,” with a kitchenette; and the interior windowless “Sleepwell”. All have king-size beds. The “Large Loft,” which is ideal for families, features a double bed, kitchenette, and a lofted bunk bed; while the spacious “Suite” offers more than 400 square feet of space, a kitchenette, a sofa and a dining table. I stayed in a Studio room.
All rooms include a work desk, safe, USB charging ports, and 42-inch TVs (the Suite features a 50-inch TV). In keeping with the hotel’s sustainability efforts, showers are low flow, using about 40% less water. But you will not notice a difference in water pressure. And specially designed 3-in-1 bins separate general waste, recycling, and food waste. According to its website, Room2 Belfast has a zero-waste policy and all waste is recycled or turned into energy.
One odd touch is the lack of drinking water in the room. Most properties I’ve stayed at leave a bottle of water on the counter or in the fridge. Even the most eco-conscious hotels tend to leave a refillable glass carafe and drinking glasses. Not Room2. Instead, it offers a small milk bottle with a note suggesting to fill up on milk at the lobby bar.
Could I have used the small juice-size glasses in the kitchenette and continually refilled them from the tap? Sure. But I like to have a larger bottle to keep at my bedside. So I ended up buying an overpriced bottle of water from the lobby bar. For more affordable options, I recommend stocking up at the nearby Tesco.
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Celebrating local artists
The work of local artists is showcased throughout the property. The recycled reception desk is backed by a large botanical mural by Rebecca O’Doherty. Guest rooms feature custom ceramic sconces by local lighting company Mullan and hand-painted designs by Irish muralist Alana McDowell. Also seen throughout the property are lampshades handmade from Irish linen by Linen Lane.
Room2 Belfast is particularly proud to celebrate local talent and promotes the artists on its website. Guests can look up designs and learn about their creators on designated tablets located in the lobby.
My favorite art element is the wallpaper tucked inside the wardrobes. Designed by Northern Irish illustrator Jamie Beard, it showcases some of the heroes and heroines, gods and goddesses, of Irish and Celtic mythology.
If you go to Room2 Belfast
Rooms at Room2 Belfast start at about $130/night. And discounts are available if you book directly through the hotel’s website. If you join the Room2 Family program, you’ll receive additional exclusive offers and discounts as well as a free stay on your birthday.
Check the latest prices for Room2 online.
One neat thing about Room2 Belfast is that a stay is a full 24 hours. Unlike many hotels where check-in is at 4 p.m. and checkout is at 11 a.m., check-in at room2 Belfast is at 2 p.m., and you can stay until 2 p.m. the following day. And pets are welcome.
Room2 Belfast offers a fresh, young alternative for visitors to Northern Ireland’s capital city. Its central location makes it the perfect starting point for exploring the city’s many attractions, shops, restaurants, and pubs. Another popular accommodation is the historic Europa Hotel, which serves as a reminder of Northern Ireland’s troublesome past.
