Discover the Magic of Northern Ireland with Hastings Hotels

Less than an hour and a half from London, Northern Ireland is a destination where rich history meets natural beauty. Brimming with exciting events, anniversaries, and set-jetting opportunities throughout 2026, the Emerald Isle is not one to miss. Founded over sixty years ago, Hastings Hotels is Northern Ireland’s premier hotel group, offering six accommodations in key locations across the country. From coastal castles to city skyscrapers, the hotels embody a feeling of comfortable luxury and are the perfect bases from which to explore the region.

This year marks the iconic Giant’s Causeway’s 40th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set along the wild Causeway Coastal Route, the striking geographic formation was shaped by volcanic activity over 50 million years ago and remains one of the biggest draws to the area today. From March onwards, visitors can tie in a trip to the recently reopened Gobbins Cliff Path, after a year’s closure to work on its expansion. The series of exhilarating walkways, caves and tunnels snake along the basalt sea cliffs and offer dolphin and puffin sightings along the way. Perched at the tip of the Causeway Coastal Route is Ballygally Castle, a 400-year-old castle hotel facing the sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay. The hotel offers 54 bedrooms, including six family rooms, each with stunning sea or walled garden views, as well as direct access to the 120-mile stretch of coastal road.

In August, Belfast will host the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, for the first time. As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast plans to launch new music-tourism experiences in-line with the festival, including lively pub sessions, spontaneous street performances and dramatic stage shows which will crop up across the city. With almost 800,000 visitors expected to take to the streets of Belfast this summer, Grand Central Hotel is the perfect city-centre destination for those looking to stay in the heart of it all. As Northern Ireland’s tallest hotel, Grand Central occupies prime position for incredible views of the city from The Observatory on the 23rd floor. The space offers panoramic sights and comfortable seating areas where guests can transition from beautifully presented afternoon teas, to hand-crafted cocktails and nibbles. Just down the road sits the world-famous Europa Hotel, a building steeped in history which offers 272 hotel rooms to choose from. In April, the hotel will open its brand-new cocktail bar, The Parlour, an open-plan space for afternoon teas, cocktails and a new menu of seasonal small plates.

Box-set enthusiasts can visit filming locations across County Antrim for the new comedy-thriller How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, which launched in February, and the popular Game of Thrones spin-off series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, released in January this year. Fans can head to filming locations including Glenarm Castle and the Hidden Village of Galboly to be part of all the action. For a taste of five-star luxury after a weekend of music festivals, set-jetting and coastal walks, Culloden Estate & Spa offers the perfect loch-side retreat. Set in a grand 19th-century mansion, the hotel spans twelve picturesque acres, with award-winning spa amenities, exceptional dining experiences and newly refurbished Garden Rooms to top off a trip to Northern Ireland.