BY ALISON HOUSTON

Nestled in the heart of Belfast is its first “hometel”. room2 which offers the perfect blend of comfort and luxury.

The concept of a hometel is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. It’s essentially a hotel hybrid, offering all the best bits of a hotel along with the comfort and flexibility of home.

From the minute I arrived, I was greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting, homely atmosphere. The elegant lobby with complimentary water and fruit for guests, a beautiful spiral staircase, thoughtfully designed rooms, and top-notch amenities set the stage for a memorable stay. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, this hometel promises an experience that goes beyond expectations.

Our room was fantastic, bright and colourful, and very clean. It had a TV and a little box of games to keep you entertained, along with a sofa, table and chairs, and a bathroom with a rainfall shower.

room2’s focus on sustainability was present in many of its small touches, one of which was the décor throughout. Each room contains artwork from local artists, such as handmade vases and paintings, adding a unique flair to each space.

It was lovely to see that a hotel chain was taking the time to support local businesses in this way while also cutting down carbon emissions, which would have been caused by getting art, etc., shipped to Northern Ireland.

I was pleased to learn the many ways in which the hometel contributes towards sustainability and cutting down carbon emissions, some of which included providing recycling bins in each room and having reusable soap and milk containers.

This is something I believe all hotels should get behind.

I noticed there were lots of plants throughout the building, I learnt during my stay that this is intentional. It doesn’t just look great, it also cleans the air you breathe and is proven to improve creativity!

All of the building’s energy demand is met by renewables, such as solar, wind, and hydro. They also make some of their own energy through solar panels and heat pumps.

Room2 say: “Our aim is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible“. Any unavoidable carbon is combatted by planting and maintaining giant clumping bamboo in Nicaragua, Central America. Bamboo was chosen because harvesting it doesn’t kill the plant so that it can regenerate. This project also supports the livelihoods of local people.

It’s refreshing to see companies such as room2 creating spaces to help combat global warming and having real systems in place that continue to help the environment and communities around the world.

With such a different concept to other hotels, room2 continued to amaze me with its many amenities and facilities, more so than some other hotels in the city. Some of these include kitchenettes (in some rooms), a gym, a lounge/bar, small restaurant, tea room, everything you would need for a short or long term stay.

After a long day of shopping and eating, I decided to have a seat in the downstairs lounge/bar. I am so glad I did. The live singers in the evening created a really chilled out vibe, I felt like I could dress up or go more casual and I wouldn’t feel out of place. The cocktails were gorgeous too, about £12 each. After about an hour of sitting, chatting, and listening to the music, some of the guests began getting up to dance, it was such a fun evening. Perfect if you don’t feel like leaving the hotel after a long day in the city.

A good few cocktails later, I was ready to get back to my room, have a glass of water, and get settled in for the night. I was not prepared for the absolute bliss ahead. I had the best nights sleep here, I felt like I was lying on a cloud. The mattress, duvet and pillows were absolutely perfect. I normally struggle to sleep the whole way through the night in hotels, I did not have this problem here. I dozed off as soon as my head hit the pillow and didn’t wake up until my alarm went off the next morning!

However, if you don’t agree with my idea of perfect, there are options. If you stay at the hometel once and sign up to become a member (for free) you can actually choose from a range of bedding during your stay; you really can’t go wrong with that!

Another fantastic perk of being a member of room2 is a whole 24-hour stay. Members can check in at 2pm and check out at 2pm, so you can take it easy when you wake up, instead of the usual rush of trying to pack, get breakfast, and check out in the morning.

Best of all though, members get a free stay on their birthday! That’s not something you get given very often.

After my fantastic night’s sleep, I went downstairs to ‘Winnies’, the hometel café, for some breakfast. It was buffet style with hot food (a fry up) and continental options such as toast, salmon, fruit, granola, cereal etc. You could also choose from a range of drinks like coffee, tea, fruit juice, and ice water. A great array of breakfast items to choose from, and all tasted beautiful.

The hometels focus on sustainability filters through as many parts of your stay as possible, including your food. There are healthy and plant-based options available. Their aim is to provide delicious food with a lower environmental impact, which is why they buy locally as often as possible.

The breakfast room had a very slow-paced, chilled atmosphere that was lovely for a relaxed morning.

One final point I feel I should make is how friendly the staff are. The reception and bar staff were wonderfully friendly and welcoming; they couldn’t do enough to help ensure I had a lovely stay. There was one occasion in particular, I was in the lift with one of the cleaning staff, she was so friendly, always smiling, and told me she hopes I have a lovely day as I was exiting the lift. This small interaction had such a positive impact on my day.

Overall, my stay at this sustainable hotel was nothing short of exceptional. From the eco-friendly design to the locally sourced cuisine and impeccable service, every detail reflected a deep commitment to sustainability without compromising comfort or luxury. It’s refreshing to see a hotel that not only prioritizes environmental responsibility but also provides a truly memorable and relaxing experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a guilt-free city break.

room2 Belfast is located at 32-36 Queen St, Belfast, BT1 6EF.