MC
Mary Anjanette Cabanlong
5 days ago
We stayed here from June 4–5, and our booking was made just one day before our arrival.
The reception staff were very welcoming and helpful, and we really appreciated being allowed to check in early at 11:00 AM. However, we were only provided with one key card for the room. As a family, this was somewhat inconvenient, as it made it difficult for us to come and go independently during our stay.
The hotel offers excellent facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, salon, and spa. Unfortunately, I had an unpleasant experience at the swimming pool. I accompanied my 8-year-old son and took a few photos to send to my husband, who was resting in the hotel room, so he would know where we were. While doing so, a swimming coach who was conducting lessons abruptly shouted, “No phones!” in a manner that I found quite rude and embarrassing. Some of the children then repeated the comment, which made the situation even more uncomfortable. I completely understand if there is a policy regarding mobile phones, but I would have appreciated being approached politely and respectfully as a hotel guest. I was only taking a few photos and was positioned away from the pool area. I also did not notice any signs or instructions regarding phone use around the facility.
Another issue was that our room felt very warm throughout our stay. The air conditioning did not seem to be working effectively, and we were unable to cool the room to a comfortable temperature.
The hotel is located a little outside the city centre, but it is only a short drive away if you have a car. We had hoped to try the spa facilities, but as they close at 10:00 PM, we unfortunately did not have the opportunity.
Overall, the hotel has great amenities and friendly reception staff, but there are a few areas where the guest experience could be improved.
TB
The Gourmet Boys
May 8, 2026
We had become very familiar with the Crowne Plaza over the years, having attended conferences, awards ceremonies, weddings, and gala dinners, so we were delighted to have been invited to discover what else this South Belfast hotel has to offer.
About 15 minutes from the City Centre, in the heart of the Lagan Valley Regional Park with its delightful riverside walks, forests, and cycle paths, Crowne Plaza is perfect for couples’ retreats, family breaks, or business trips.
We were staying in a spacious, beautifully furnished room; contemporary in style with tastefully chosen artwork, it included modern conveniences such as air conditioning, a flat-screen smart TV, and free Wi-Fi.
The River Bar Bistro & Lounge is a great setting for stylish all-day dining (more of that anon), and the new art-deco style lobby is the ideal meeting place for business, or a quick coffee. There’s also a cool Members’ Lounge for a venue with that special touch.
BodySpa Shaw’s Bridge, is Crowne Plaza’s mini spa with exclusive TEMPLESPA products, and we had a thoroughly relaxing experience, enjoying a massage and facial treatment in the very capable hands of our therapists Sara and Deborah.
There’s also the Bodyscape Health Club, with a state-of-the-art gym hosting over 70 specialist classes a week, and Crowne Plaza is home to Belfast’s only 20m hotel swimming pool, with a sauna and steam room. Bodyscape also features a café bar.
For a City Break within easy reach of the many attractions that Belfast has to offer, but away from the urban hustle and bustle, look no further than Crowne Plaza Belfast.
River Bar Bistro & Lounge,
Crowne Plaza Belfast
On the ground floor of Crowne Plaza Belfast is the River Bar Bistro & Lounge, an all day dining experience serving sharing plates, deli sandwiches and panini, stone baked pizzas, burgers, and chef's homemade classics.
The stylish bistro has been designed with nods to the roaring twenties, and we were seated at a beautiful table next to an art deco fireplace which was impressively marbled and mirrored-simply stunning! There’s also a range of booths and sofa areas, ideal for a catch up with a cocktail or two.
And speaking of which, we started our evening with a couple of cocktails ourselves: an Old Fashioned and a Watermelon Margarita Special, to accompany our starters of Sweet Potato Falafel Salad with lettuce, carrot, cherry tomato, red chilli, coriander, spiced cashew nuts, & cranberry, and a spicy Gambas Pil Pil with garlic, chilli, and toasted sourdough.
We ordered a delicious bottle of lighted-bodied Ropiteau Les Plants Noble Pinot Noir to enjoy with our “Taste of Spice Club” main courses. The Crowne Plaza is renowned for the quality and authenticity of its Asian dishes, and we were very impressed with both the Butter Chicken in a creamy spiced tomato sauce, with pilau rice & naan, and the Teriyaki Salmon with noodles, pak choi, and sugar snap peas, which was fragrant with sesame and soy.
And finally, the Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream, and the Raspberry Frangipane Tart, were the perfect way to finish the meal.
The River Bar Bistro & Lounge is open daily, with food service from 12:00 - 21:30, and drinks till late.