The Merchant Hotel
Belfast
The AA 5 Red Star Merchant Hotel is a blissful spa hotel on Waring Street, one of the oldest and most historic areas of Belfast and right in the centre of the bustling Cathedral Quarter. This palatial space was built from sandstone in the mid 19th century and was formerly the headquarters of the Ulster Bank. It has 62 uber-indulgent bedrooms. Guests can join owner Bill Wolsey MBE, one of Ireland's most successful publicans, for a bespoke cocktail in the private roof garden, and listen to his incredible journey from apprentice for Arsenal FC to icon of NI hospitality. The AA Rosette awarded Great Room Restaurant is undoubtedly one of Northern Ireland's most extraordinary restaurants and has 130 covers. It's an architectural gem with lots of original features and is available for private hire. The restaurant offers a comprehensive selection of menus, using the finest local ingredients, to suit all tastes. The Rita Duffy Room can cater for 150 guests.
Belfast International Airport
7km
.png)
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
British Pound
Temperature:
00-00℃
Cost of a Beer:
£5.00
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£5.00
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Antrim places golfers at the heart of one of the world’s most revered links regions. Located on the shores of Lough Neagh and within easy reach of Northern Ireland’s dramatic north coast, it offers a strategic base for exploring championship courses that consistently rank among the finest in the world.
The undisputed centrepiece of the region is Royal Portrush Golf Club, host of The Open Championship and home to the world-renowned Dunluce Links. With towering dunes, dramatic elevation changes and firm-running turf shaped by Atlantic winds, it provides a stern but unforgettable test. Nearby, Portstewart Golf Club offers one of the most visually spectacular front nines in links golf, with expansive dunes and panoramic ocean views. Closer to Antrim itself, Massereene Golf Club provides a scenic parkland alternative set beside Lough Neagh.
Golf along this coastline is pure links in its most authentic form — firm underfoot, wind-influenced and demanding creativity from tee to green. The terrain is natural and often dramatic, rewarding controlled ball flight and thoughtful strategy.
Off the course, the Causeway Coast offers unforgettable scenery. The Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a striking geological backdrop for rest days, while the ruins of Dunluce Castle sit dramatically above the Atlantic. Bushmills Distillery offers whisky tastings nearby, and Belfast is within easy reach for dining, nightlife and Titanic Quarter tours.
The prime golf season runs from May to September, when daylight stretches long into the evening and the links play at their firm-running best. For golfers seeking Open Championship pedigree, breathtaking coastal scenery and genuine Irish hospitality, Antrim offers access to one of the world’s most iconic golf regions.
