The Bedford Hotel in Belfast Honoured as Heritage Hotel of the Year 2026

The Bedford Hotel in Belfast has been awarded the Heritage Hotel of the Year 2026 at the Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards, reinforcing its status as a leading hospitality venue in Northern Ireland.

As the sole Belfast hotel recognised among this year’s winners, The Bedford’s accolade was announced during a gala lunch held at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel. Now in its fourth decade, the Georgina Campbell Awards are Ireland’s longest-running hospitality awards, based on independent, year-round evaluations by expert judges who visit anonymously and pay for their own stays.

Situated within the Grade B1 listed Scottish Mutual Building on Donegall Square South, The Bedford Hotel opened in April 2023 with 82 luxury bedrooms and experienced a fully booked inaugural week. The hotel is operated by RFM Hotels, which undertook a meticulous multi-million-pound restoration of the 1904 Scottish Baronial-style structure, preserving its Edwardian architectural grandeur and intricate stonework.

A standout feature of the restoration is the preservation and innovative reuse of 18 original steel vault doors. These heavy-duty doors, which once protected Belfast’s financial and legal archives, have been transformed into entrances for mini-bar compartments within guest rooms, blending the city’s industrial and financial history with contemporary luxury.

Mike Gatt, General Manager of The Bedford Hotel, said: “We are delighted to receive the Heritage Hotel of the Year award. Opening in April to a fully booked week showed we had created something special, but national recognition so soon after launching is a huge milestone.”

He added: “This award is a testament to the exceptional vision of our architects, who so carefully restored this historic building, and our interior design team, who brought Edwardian grandeur into the modern era while preserving its unique heritage features. We take immense pride in preserving the unique heritage features of this historic building while delivering the warm, personalised human hospitality and this is a huge milestone for our whole team.”

Gerry Lennon, CEO of Visit Belfast, congratulated the hotel, stating: “Huge congratulations to the entire team at The Bedford Hotel on this well-deserved award. Belfast’s tourism sector thrives on authentic, memorable experiences, and The Bedford Hotel perfectly highlights the beauty of our city’s rich heritage. Being the only Belfast hotel featured in this year’s Georgina Campbell Awards list is a testament to their exceptional standards and strong contribution to our local tourism economy.”

Georgina Campbell, speaking at the awards, praised The Bedford as “an exciting example of how a significant city building can be given a new life without losing sight of its past.” She noted: “It is rightly seen as a commitment to preserving the city’s architectural heritage. It respects the generous proportions and Edwardian character of the property while celebrating Belfast’s industrial heritage – and especially the linen industry – in thoughtful details throughout.”

Campbell also highlighted the hotel’s culinary offerings, mentioning celebrated chef Noel McMeel’s role at The Nineteen Hundred restaurant, which focuses on Northern Irish produce. She added: “Friendly, efficient staff reinforce the sense of pride in both the hotel and the place it represents.”

She concluded: “Heritage hospitality is not about preserving a building in aspic. It is about allowing history to inform a living, relevant experience. The Bedford achieves that balance with confidence and imagination, making this beautifully revived Belfast landmark a very worthy Heritage Hotel of the Year.”