Review of Culloden Hotel, by Nancy Lyon

The Culloden Hotel is a VIP Mecca of silk and crystal opulence, handsomely mixing Jacobean, Edwardian and medieval decor and lavish window dressings with chrome and zingy modern touches of chartreuse and pink. The Culloden Hotel is a dream-weaver for sealing business deals, and a bride's fantasy palace, with a magnificent winding staircase that Scarlet O'Hara would die for.

All this five-star indulgence and sweeping coastal panoramas are only two-minute walk to a train into Belfast City Centre's theatres, museums, restaurants, bistros, nightclubs and shopping. Complimentary onsite parking accomodates 500 cars. The George Best Belfast City Airport is four miles away, and the Royal Belfast Golf Club a five-minute drive.

The facilities

Visitors and locals enjoy cocktails on the wide terrace, high teas overlooking the luxurious gardens, and the Mitre Restaurant for contemporary Irish cuisine and the sumptuous breakfast buffet. Culloden's Cultra Inn bistro and bar is more of a burger, fish and chips affair, and vegetarians won't find much beyond the Pea Purée and Ricotta Ravioli.

The spa's shimmering sky-lit leisure pool with Jacuzzi and eucalyptus steam room is a haven of serenity, and the Zest juice bar inspires a great fitness suite workout. Culloden's ESPA Spa treatment portfolio offers everything from Reiki and Chakra Balancing hot stone therapy, to aromatherapy and deep Swedish massages.

The rooms

The Culloden contains one Palace Presidential Suite, 15 State Suites, six themed Junior Suites, 41 Executive Rooms, 40 Superior Doubles and two disabled-accessible rooms. The Bishop's and the Presidential Suites attract VIPs like Tony Blair, Lionel Ritchie, Cliff Richard, Billy Connolly and U2's Bono, who appreciate the convenience of the hotel's private heli-pad.

Rooms at The Culloden are generously-sized, and luxuriously bedded, with high ceilings, plasma flat screens discreetely inset into the walls, gas fireplaces with remote controls and marble bathrooms stocked with White Company amenities and plush bathrobes.