AC Hotel Belfast ‘Flagship Feature’ of City Quays Development

Belfast Harbour Celebrates Official Launch of New £26m Hotel

Belfast Harbour marked a new milestone in its £275 million City Quays development when it officially launched (21 June) the new AC Hotel Belfast.

Representing a £26 million investment by Belfast Harbour, the 188-room AC Hotel Belfast, which has brought 80 jobs and a ‘new way to hotel’ to the City, is situated in the heart of City Quays, on Belfast’s waterfront.

The new hotel forms part of the £80 million invested so far by Belfast Harbour in City Quays, creating one of Belfast’s most dynamic and impressive destinations.  City Quays comprises high-end commercial offices, cafés, restaurants and new public spaces and waterside walkways.

The four-star, contemporary-luxe hotel is the first Marriott in Northern Ireland and the first AC Hotels by Marriott® on the island of Ireland.  It is also the first property in the international lifestyle brand’s 100+ global portfolio to feature a signature restaurant – Novelli at City Quays – which is spearheaded by Jean-Christophe Novelli and marks the multi-Michelin-starred celebrity chef’s Ireland debut.

 Speaking at the launch event in the hotel, Belfast Harbour Chairman, Dr David Dobbin CBE, said:

“We are delighted to join with our partners at Marriott International to celebrate the launch of the AC Hotel Belfast, which is a stunning and unique property, and a flagship feature of our City Quays development. 

“AC Hotels by Marriott is a globally recognised brand and the hotel-of-choice for leisure and business travellers worldwide and we are extremely proud of our role in introducing such a powerful and distinct new hospitality proposition. 

“This official opening marks the fruition of a core strand of Belfast Harbour’s strategic vision, underlining City Quays’ credentials as an outstanding business, leisure and hospitality destination, and an important addition to Belfast’s local, national and international appeal.”

The hotel is the first newly built-to-specification AC Hotels by Marriott in the UK.  On the basis that purposeful design improves lives, every detail has been mindfully curated to provide what guests most need and value. 

Capturing the contemporary, elegant and European-inspired essence of the brand, bespoke-for-Belfast features include an open-air terrace designed to capitalise on its spectacular location, 360-degree waterfront and wider cityscape views, and the custom-built Novelli kitchen and restaurant. 

John Licence, VP Premium & Select Brands Europe, Marriott International added:

“Belfast stands among the most vibrant, thriving and progressive cities in the world, with a burgeoning business, tourism and hospitality industry.  The City Quays area encapsulates the scale and vision of what is being achieved here.  We are excited to be part of this success story and to contribute and add value to it by delivering the AC Hotels’ singularly guest-oriented brand promise to our Belfast guests.”