The other side of the coin to The Merchant's high end style and five star luxury, it's younger sister - or should that be brother - hotel is a whole new ball game. Cool, chilled out and yet nostalgic, this is back to basics with a difference.
Far from being the kind of budget hotel that's just a place to lay your head, the vision for Bullitt - which is atmospherically themed for Steve McQueen’s 1968 movie of the same name - is to be a cool city centre meeting place for both residents and local people to 'Work, Play and Stay'.
It's a whole new hospitality experience for Belfast, with every area of the 'traditional hotel' concept reimagined and pared down for maximum comfort, efficiency and fun. So, in the bedrooms - named Dinky, Comfy and Roomy - for example, they've ditched the wardrobe (a hanging rail suffices) and, while there's not a bath to be seen, all rooms have rainforest showers and complimentary toiletries.
So the real focus is where most people want it - on good big beds, flat screen TVs (full Sky package) and wifi. No minibars either, and they do breakfast differently at Bulliit - what you get in the room price is a brown paper bag hanging on the door, containing orange juice, granola and a banana to jump start your day, alhough a hot breakfast (supplement £10) is also available in the lobby from 7am.
With its three bars - the Bullitt Bar, which merges into the large open air Courtyard Bar (with street entrance), and 'Belfast's first après-ski bar', Baltic - the ground floor is a highly sociable space. And this is also where you'll find Head Chef Saul O’Reilly and his team hard at work in Taylor & Clay restaurant (also referencing the classic movie) and entertaining customers as they rustle up big-flavoured meals on a huge custom built and sustainably fuelled Asador grill.
Waygu beef from Noble House is the star of the show at Talyor & Clay, along with other beef from the renowned Hannan’s meats of Moira - but you don't have to be a carnivore to enjoy a meal here, as there's a big emphasis on local seasonal ingredients across the board, including organic vegetables from the Walled Garden at Helens Bay.
With even the notoriously expensive Wagyu beef coming in at under £25, and other mains well below that, prices are surprisinly reasonable for the quality - and engaging, well trained young staff make sure that everyone is having a good time.
Drinks menus follow the same ethos - not just a good wine list (from £25; glass £6) but local craft beers, Irish gins and whiskeys to choose from too, along with an extensive cocktail list, and great coffee from local roastery, Bailees.
Bullitt is a great, exuberant addition to the Belfast food and hospitality scene - and, much as they love it, it's not just for the young. It's the perfect venue for a multi-generational get together and great fun all round.
