Northern Ireland's capital city Belfast has accommodation options to suit all budgets, from the modern Travelodge to historic Europa and chic Ten Square and Malmaison

Belfast is a city on the rise said Lonely Planet recently, when they named it as one of their 'must see' cities for this year. It certainly has plenty to offer the city break visitor, from its lively pub and music scenes to Michelin-star restaurants like Deane's and super-luxury chic hotels including Malmaison, Ten Square and the historic Europa, probably the most famous hotel in Belfast.

Belfast's attractions include the Ulster Museum in the Botanic Gardens, its ornate and imposing City Hall, the Linen Hall Library, St Anne's Cathedral, the family-friendly W5 interactive scientific discovery centre, the revamped waterfront and a great selection of walking tours on different themes, like its historical pubs. There are taxi tours too, which show interested visitors the political history of the city.

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HOTELS IN BELFAST: WHERE TO BE

It's best to find a city centre hotel in Belfast if you can, which puts many of the attractions within easy walking distance. Belfast city centre is also a lively place to be at night, to sample the city's pub and music scene. If you can only find a Belfast hotel that's further out, try to make sure it's near a stop for the excellent Belfast Metro bus service, which covers most of the city and will take visitors almost anywhere they might want to go.

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HOTELS IN BELFAST: BUDGET HOTELS

Travelodge Belfast Central

15 Brunswick Street, Belfast

Tel: 08701 911687

An inexpensive and very standard Travelodge, this Belfast hotel has a city centre location not far from City Hall. It has its own bar-cafe too. Not stylish or exciting, but a perfectly acceptable budget Belfast hotel choice.

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HOTELS IN BELFAST: CHIC CHOICES

Malmaison

34-38 Victoria Street, Belfast

Tel: 0044 (0)28-9022-0200

The Malmaison chain of chic boutique hotels is well-known through Britain for providing quality accommodation and their Belfast hotel is no exception. It's based in a converted warehouse not far from the river and very central. It has 64 stylish rooms with free broadband internet service, cable TV and DVD players – go for one of their rock 'n' roll suites for some funky fun.

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Ten Square

10 Donegall Square South, Belfast

Tel: 0044 (0)28-9024-1001

Not only was this voted the best hotel in Belfast last year by the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and the Most Stylish Hotel by the Belfast Telegraph, London's Sunday Times described it as one of the chicest boutique hotels in the whole of Ireland. It has 22 rooms, decorated in a style of Oriental splendour, and its Grill Room and Bar has also won an award for Best Eating Experience in Ireland. Right in Belfast city centre.

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HOTELS IN BELFAST: HISTORIC OPTION

Europa Hotel

Great Victoria Street, Belfast

Tel: 0044 (0)28-9027-1066

Famously described as the most bombed hotel in Europe, during the Troubles, the Europa is now the Belfast hotel where politicians and celebrities stay when visiting the city. It's a 4-star hotel near the Opera House and the equally famous Crown Liquor Saloon, and it has 240 bedrooms, which includes 56 Executive Suites.

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For more information on Belfast hotels and city attractions visit the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau.

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