Columbia Hillen
Born and reared in working-class west Belfast, I grew up understanding the Malone Highway to be ‘the place the wealthy lived.’
Now, having stayed on the 4-star boutique lodge, The Malone, a transformed Victorian townhouse, I need to admit to basking within the magnificence of the neighborhood.
Exterior, leafy, predominantly residential streets and massive, brown-brick homes emanating a soothing sense of tranquility. Inside, a marbled flooring, spacious, low-ceilinged foyer with plenty of leather-based armchairs and mushy seats and a grand piano.
Columbia Hillen
As for the ‘wealthy’ bit, the houses could certainly be owned by pretty well-to-do folks, however on the road the place the lodge is positioned many are subdivided into residences.
Nor did I see overt proof of elitism. As an alternative, an older girl strolling alongside, her canine on a lead beside her, some younger youngsters strolling to high school, and other people on bicycles headed for work or school.
As for the lodge itself, my companion and I stayed in one among its government rooms on the finish of the third flooring hall. With views over the tree-lined road and branches of linden timber stretching out their limbs to us, we sat enjoyable on armchairs at a draped-wrapped bay window.
Columbia Hillen
Our room was classically designed, with some stylish parts equivalent to ornamental ‘bubble glass’ bedside lamp-stands. It had a big flatscreen TV affixed to 1 wall and a writing desk and chair in a nook of the room. A mahogany-enclosed cabinet and a big stand-alone wardrobe supplied greater than sufficient house for our belongings. A brightly-lit, black and white tiled toilet featured each a separate tub and bathe. Toiletries, in progressive packaging created by Bunzl Rafferty Hospitality in Armagh, are branded below the title of Irish-American designer, Paul Costelloe and made in Italy. Their label states, ‘cruelty free, vegan pleasant with no parabens.’The Residence Constructing, an extension of the lodge throughout the road, includes 9 rooms, together with three residences. The rooms are all double occupancy, together with household ones with kitchens.
Columbia Hillen
Previously the Malone Lodge Lodge & Flats and as soon as a World Struggle Two hospital, the renovated lodge was opened in June this yr, after a re-design costing round 250,000 British kilos. It has been owned for the final 30 years by the Macklin household, whose pursuits embody care-homes and building. Subsequent yr, an extension will probably be added to the lodge, one other 24 rooms, creating 95 in whole, and an expanded restaurant.
Columbia Hillen
You’ll want to go to the lodge’s engaging pub, The Greyhound, that includes a casual setting modeled after the Lifeless Rabbit in New York. Nod to Audrey Hepburn, whose face adorns the doorway. The motto is ‘Native meals executed proper’ and our experiences of its gastro-food help that boast. We feasted on starters of buffalo wings with Cashel blue cheese and whisky glazed pork stomach bites with apple and celeriac coleslaw and our mains comprised a falafel burger on a brioche bun with crimson onion, tomato and native Ballymaloe relish and a succulent fish pie of salmon, coley and smoked haddock topped with champ. Dessert was a Belfast delicacy referred to as ‘selfmade fifteens.’
On some evenings, The Greyhound gives steak specials and there’s stay music on Fridays. I used to be delighted to seek out it has its personal lager made by The Yardman Brewery. Visitors can even dine alfresco, on a coated terrace dealing with the road.
Columbia Hillen
Kudos to government chef, Andrew McConnell, for the standard of the kitchen and to employees members, Gemma Molloy and Sé McKee, for his or her environment friendly, pleasant service. It needs to be famous, one other eating possibility for company is the restaurant, Gallery.
Talking of employees, particular point out should additionally go to ‘angel of mercy,’ Stacy Hagen, the lodge’s reception supervisor from Seattle. With out her pressing assist in driving us to the bus station, we might have missed the one every day service to Donegal, our onward vacation spot.
Columbia Hillen
The Malone has handy complimentary automobile parking amenities and caters for company in addition to private occasions with a gathering room appropriate for 200 folks and one other room that seats round 90. A extra intimate room seats ten.
And final however not least, The Malone’s location in south Belfast’s historic Queen’s College Quarter means visiting metropolis highlights such because the Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Lyric Theatre, Queen’s College itself and the Crescent Arts Centre, house to the ‘Belfast Guide Competition,’ are however a brief stroll away.
