It's a team effort for the Belfast Marathon 2015

It’s that time again in Belfast, when you are guaranteed to see nothing but keen runners out on the streets morning, noon and night. Yes, it’s Belfast Marathon time when thousands of runners take to the streets on May Day come rain, hail or sunshine – usually one of the latter since we’re in Northern Ireland!

This great day out has become a fixture on the calendar for both the serious marathon enthusiasts and the many amateur runners who take part in the team relay. In 2014 there were close to 4000 participants who enjoyed a road run in glorious sun shine. For the last five years our manager, Nora Douds, has entered 3-4 relay teams’, raising money for various charities from Parkinson’s UK to the Children’s Kidney Fund. In 2015 the official charity of the Belfast Marathon is Marie Curie with many relay teams running in support of this wonderful body who provide support for people with terminal illnesses in Northern Ireland.

People run marathons for many reasons – for some it’s a once in a lifetime event, for an elite few, the serious athletes, it’s an opportunity to win and for others it’s another marathon completed in a long list of marathons. There is no doubt in my mind that running 26.2 miles is an amazing feat and one to be celebrated. The Belfast Marathon has also become a great team relay event and there are so many reasons why it has become so popular with fun runners. For our teams it’s a day to get together to run as part of a team while raising money for a worthwhile cause. Not all are serious runners but they all set themselves a goal to work towards whether a quick 3.1 mile in the glory, finishing leg or the punishing 7.2 mile run up the Antrim Road. The team spirit created is invaluable – our team member’s sense of achievement at the finishing line is exhilarating, even in the pouring rain! The whole process has the great added benefit of making exercise a fun and social activity.

The discussions of running times, team finishing times and the excitement of the day last long into the evening. Of course the celebration BBQ with drinks is always a great way to enjoy the success of the day.

Belfast Marathon day has had a great impact on the team spirit of our company, Tara Lodge Belfast. The owner of Tara Lodge, Conor O’Donnell is a regular participant, our chef Colin Douds a leading fixture, our manager Nora, the chief organiser and regular team mate and Pauline McCullough, our Front Office Manager is also an occasional team athlete. Our breakfast waiter Dave Quinn ran the whole marathon in 2011 – a feat not yet matched by any of our Tara Lodge team but as they say, never say never…..

The Tara Lodge hotel team has benefited greatly on a personal level from the Belfast Marathon. At Tara Lodge hotel we know that this race is a marathon not a sprint. Are you taking part in the Belfast Marathon this year and need a place to stay where we understand your needs as an athlete? If you would like to benefit from the wonderful team spirit and customer service that our Tara Lodge squad provide why not book one of our boutique hotel bedrooms. 

We still have some rooms available on Sunday 3 May, the night before the race and we can offer you some of our famous Power Porridge with banana and honey that will provide you with rocket fuel for the race.

Why not book with Tara Lodge later this year to experience the great, award winning team spirit that we offer for the benefit of all our great guests. Contact 028 9059 0900 for a pep talk or beat the rest by booking online at www.taralodge.com.

Three times lucky!

Tara Lodge winners of NIHF Housekeeping Team of the Year 2015

Reda, Audrone, Ernesta, Adriana & Edyta with owner Conor O'Donnell and Manager Nora Douds

I would like to think I am a dab hand at keeping my little two up, two down, Belfast sanctuary spick & span.  I’ve been known on many occasion to utter the words ‘honestly, I couldn’t cope with that mess, I think I’ve OCD’!  In my own little bubble I genuinely did believe this… right up until one morning in February 2015.  This particular morning (distressingly before I had consumed my 2 double strength Douwe Egberts traditional blend coffees) I spent 30 minutes showing two members of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation around Tara Lodge on a surprise inspection of our hotel bedrooms. They picked three rooms at random and inspected the common areas throughout the property. 

I have always known our housekeeping team at Tara Lodge were something special but even I had to hide my amazement and admiration that morning.   The inspector was under tables, on top of wardrobes, behind toilets, even the hinge on the bin in the bathroom was inspected.  An Arachnophobe trapped in a bedroom with a money spider could not have been more thorough!  Try as she could not a watermark or a speck of dust was found.  Ernesta, our Head Housekeeper, stood cool as a cucumber throughout, showing 100% faith in the absolutely fabulous team she works with.  I on the other hand, always did have a slightly nervous disposition…

I needn’t have worried one iota.  The result of this ‘clean sweep’ of an inspection was that our girls; Reda, Audrone, Ernesta, Adriana and Edyta (pictured above with General Manager Nora Douds), won NIHF Housekeeping Team of the Year 2015, in the under 90 rooms category, for no less than the 3^rd time in four years!  They received this well-deserved accolade at the prestigious Gala Dinner on Wednesday 25^th March at the Holiday Inn, Belfast on Wednesday 25 March 2015.

The NIHF Housekeeping awards, which are now in their sixth year, are fiercely competitive within the Northern Ireland accommodation sector.  The competition begins with an off-site assessment day designed to be fun and educational.  Fellow finalists Galgorm Resort & Spa, Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro and fellow winners Belmore Court & Motel offered strong competition this year.

Sparkling clean bedroom at Tara Lodge, Belfast

‘Our Girls’ are the backbone of everything we do at Tara Lodge; an elegant 34 bedroom, four star, boutique hotel in the heart of the super trendy Queens Quarter of South Belfast.  Our exquisitely decorated hotel bedrooms are displayed to their very finest every time a new guest walks through the door.  The reason behind this?  The pride Ernesta and her team bring to work each day.  Immensely self-critical, to a fault, there is not one member of the team who is not 100% invested in doing the best job possible, every day.  They are all the best of friends and support each other fully in all aspects of their essential roles.  The results delivered by the tight knit team are clearly evident to colleagues, industry professionals and to our guests in particular.

Reda, Audrone, Ernesta, Edyta and Adriana with chef Colin Douds

Our General Manager Nora Douds said of the accolade ‘the Tara Lodge housekeeping team have not only adorned our walls with their NIHF awards from 2012, 2013 & 2015 but without this amazing team we could not have consistently retained the coveted accolade of TripAdvisor’s No. 1 best hotel in Belfast since 2007 or been listed in the Top 25 Hotels in the UK, TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice 2011, 2012 & 2013.’

Our wonderful team and guest reviews have consistently kept us at the top spot for many years, making everything we do, in all departments of our little gem of a hotel so very worthwhile.  If you speak to any member of the Tara Lodge team, we will confirm hand on heart, that we all love coming to work!  We are so unbelievably proud of our housekeeping team and want to say the biggest thank you to them for everything they do!

If you would like to meet our team and experience what the Number 1 Hotel in Belfast has to offer, just click on the link below and book your stay today!  https://www.taralodge.com/  Follow us on twitter at @taralodge4star or Facebook at taralodgebelfast.  ©Pauline McCullough, Tara Lodge

My Mum’s the Best

Tara Lodge is a luxurious 4 star hotel in Belfast and the perfect place to treat your Mum this Mother's Day. This blog post from Tara Lodge celebrates the essence of Motherhood and the importance of telling your Mother just how truly amazing she is. 

Mother, Mum, Mummy, Mammy, Mama, Mom - whatever you call your Mum I bet you think she’s just the best Mum in the world. I certainly do. No mine’s better I hear you cry but yes – I have five good reasons to think my Mum is the best:

1.       She has given birth to 14 children – and no twins

2.       She was diagnosed and healed from 4^th stage cancer in 2011 and a is walking miracle

3.       She started writing the most amazing blogs last year which make me laugh and cry in equal measure

4.      She makes the most amazing wheaten bread on her Aga range (delicious with lashings of butter and cheese)

5.      I know she loves me with every bone in her body

So you can see why I think she is pretty amazing.

But I’m sure you can think of five reasons why your Mum’s amazing too. Make a list and tell her this Mother’s Day. She’ll feel so honoured and loved!

You could also let us make your Mum’s Mother’s Day in 2015 really special with an overnight stay at Tara Lodge, voted the No. 1 hotel to stay in Belfast on Tripadvisor. We have put together a wonderful overnight package with lots of treats and memorable extras.  Whether you're honouring your Mother, Grandmother, favourite Aunt, a special friend or a Mum-to-be she’ll love the stylish Deluxe double or twin room. Awaiting her arrival there will be exquisite fresh flowers with a bottle of sparkling, chilled Prosecco and scrumptious hand dipped chocolate strawberries.

A hand written card with your own personal message will add the finishing touch to let her know it is all from you. Available on Mother’s Day, Sunday 15 March 2015 only – book here.

With rooms to relax in, Tara Lodge 4 star hotel in Belfast is a sparkling gem. Contact us today on +44 (0)28 9059 0900 or book online at www.taralodge.com. We look forward to welcoming you.

Things to do in Belfast

Cobbled streets, historic pubs, superb restaurants and stylish boutique hotels; just a few reasons why you should visit Belfast. The city is perfect for a weekend break for those in need of a mix of culture, adventure and fun. With superb shopping, fantastic eateries, and some of the best nightlife hotspots in the whole of Northern Ireland, visitors will definitely not be struggling for things to do. So, if you are spending the weekend in Belfast, keep reading. Here is a list of ideas for an unforgettable weekend. 

Titanic Belfast

The Titanic building is a must see on any trip to Belfast and has become the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland. The Titanic Experience tells the story of RMS Titanic, from conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration centre.

Game of Thrones Location Tour

Experience the Game of Thrones fantasy experience on a self-drive tour around the world of George R. R. Martin.  You will not only be able to immerse yourself into the drama of the series, but you’ll also enjoy a front row seat at a number of locations that are steeped in myth and legend.  The day tour will introduce you to seven of the Game of Thrones kingdoms, and you’ll be able to take photos of yourself in the well-known filming locations.  This is a must for any fan of the hit HBO series.

St. Anne’s Cathedral

The impressive building was completed and consecrated in 1903. This Church of Ireland cathedral is an integral part of the community in the city centre hosting church services, many musical and artistic events and our own Black Santa throughout the year. The Cathedral is a sacred space and is open for worship and services outside of visiting hours. Anyone can come in freely at any time of the day for a quiet place to pray.

Golfing

Belfast is home to quite a few excellent golf courses, making it a golfer’s paradise, and one of the best cities in the UK to visit for a golfing break. Step in the footsteps of golfing greats such as Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, and Rory McIlroy, as you tee off on a beautiful 18 hole course, just a short drive from the city centre.  Whether you want to play one of the city’s parkland courses, or travel a little bit further to a links course, you have plenty of options available to you.

Victoria Square

Victoria Square is Belfast’s number one shopping destination, and is open from 9am-6pm on a Saturday, giving you plenty of time to explore the centre.  Shoppers will be spoilt for choice, as there are shops and restaurants spread over four levels in this amazing building with a dazzling glass dome that is also a viewing gallery where you can look across the Belfast rooftops. All of the main high street shops and brands can be found here, and you’ll also find a variety of restaurants. An Odeon Cinema is also housed within the building for those who want to take a break from the shops.

Belfast Zoo

Located in North Belfast, on the slopes of Cave Hill, are the city’s Zoological Gardens.  Home to more than 1,000 animals and 150 species including giant anteaters, Sumatran tigers, and the Californian sea lions, and a range of exhibits are also on offer all year round.  This is one of Belfast’s top tourist attractions, and regularly sees more than 300,000 visitors walk through its doors every year.

Belfast Nightlife

Finally, you can finish your Saturday in Belfast by hitting the town for a few drinks.  Belfast’s nightlife is legendary! Whether you want to enjoy some live music, dance in one of the city’s nightclubs, or just enjoy a few glasses of wine in one of the swanky bars, you’ll find plenty of options available to you.  The Cathedral Quarter, and The Queen’s Quarter are home to the largest variety of bars, but you’ll find plenty of great hotspots all over the city centre. 

Relax & Unwind

Whether you are planning an action-packed weekend in Belfast or you just want an exceptionally comfortable bed at a luxurious boutique hotel, we have a selection of great Special Offers and Deals* to suit your needs.

• Sunday Relax Stay and Snooze: Beat the Sunday evening blues with our relaxing, stay and snooze package with early check in and late check out 3pm.
•  Baby It’s Cold Outside: Enjoy a cosy, romantic overnight stay with a loved one this Winter in one of our luxurious Signature Rooms.
• 2Night Escape with Dinner at Shu: Two nights stay in one of our fabulous Signature Rooms with dinner at the award winning Shu Restaurant.
• Titanic Experience at Tara Lodge: Spoil yourself and book into one of our exquisite signature rooms this winter and experience Titanic Belfast for Free.

With rooms you can really relax in, Tara lodge is truly Belfast’s hidden gem. Contact us today on +44(0)28 9059 0900 or book online at www.taralodge.com. We look forward to welcoming you.

*Special Offers & Deals are correct at time of posting

Be My Valentines at Tara Lodge Boutique Hotel

Did you know the oldest surviving Valentine is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife in 1415?  At the time, the Duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. Foreseeing a grisly end he poured his heart into words so romantic they have stood the test of time…

…and did you know every Valentine's Day, the celebrated romantic Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1000 heartfelt letters addressed to the ill-fated Juliet?

OK, so admittedly Belfast cannot lay claim to such dreamy star-crossed love stories.  Being objective, it has probably not been our forte in past times.  When May McFetridge is hailed as a national institution it’s hard not to see why...BUT every love story has to have a beginning.  Our once, unchivalrous, unromantic, petrol station flower purchasing Northern Irish bunch are now coming up trumps!

Love will most definitely be in the air this Valentine’s Day in Belfast.  Our ‘wee’ city has earned the accolade of being amongst the top ten locations for Valentines getaways (honestly!).  Fighting off robust competition from the traditional romantic hot spots such a Venice or Paris, a recent poll by London Gatwick ranked Belfast seventh in the most sought out Valentines destinations. To see the less traditional European city breaks, like Belfast, hitting the spot for Valentine’s Day truly does warm the heart…maybe 2015 will bring our own world famous love story for the history books, only not as condemned as the aforementioned!

This is where Tara Lodge can help make your love story truly blossom!  Voted No.1 hotel in Belfast by TripAdvisor consistently since 2007, why would you give your Valentine anything other than the very best?  Tara Lodge is an exquisite, 4 star boutique hotel located just off the cosmopolitan Botanic Avenue in the leafy, much sought after, south side of the city. The hotel is surrounded by an abundance of sumptuous restaurants, catering for all tastes & budgets and of course offering the perfect setting for a romantic candlelit meal for two…

Our stylish 4 star rooms offer the ultimate setting for complete relaxation with a little touch of luxury thrown in. The super comfortable pillow top King Koil beds, draped in crisp clean white linen are beautifully complimented by the earth & gold toned soft furnishings and atmospheric lighting to set the mood. The ensuite bathrooms are effortlessly tasteful in contemporary charcoal and white with a Grohe power shower to leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Be My Valentine packages at Tara Lodge

Every love story is beautiful but some have that little extra sparkle.  This year, why not let Tara Lodge add that extra sparkle as the perfect setting for your Valentines weekend of love...   The perfect start to your two night Signature room stay is your loved one opening the door to an exquisite rose petal scattered king-size bed, Champagne chilling on ice & sumptuous hand dipped chocolate strawberries. You can expect nothing less than a night of ultimate romance. The little amorous extras in your room will ensure anything you haven’t thought of, we have!  There’s no rush to leave the following morning, after you have savoured every mouthful of our famous a la carte breakfast you can return to your room, curl up and stay cosy for a little bit longer with a 2pm late check-out.  You could earn yourself some serious brownie points…

* 2 Nights in a luxurious Signature Double Room
* Rose Scattered King-size Bed
* Chilled Champagne & Hand Dipped Chocolate Strawberries
* Exclusive Tara Lodge Chocolates
* Romance Gifts
* Late Check-out to 2.00pm on day of departure

Cost per person £139.00 based on two sharing a Signature Double. Offer subject to availability. Package fully prepaid at the time of booking; non-transferable nor refundable. These rates cannot be used in conjunction with ant other special offer or promotion.

Top 5 Valentine’s Events in Belfast

There is a great choice of romantic events taking place in Belfast around Valentine’s Day. Here are our top 5 Valentine’s events for 2015:

• Valentine’s Day Special Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute concert at Crumlin Road Gaol with a 4 Course Meal (14th Feb)
• Ulster Orchestra – A Very Special Valentine on 14th February. A programme of timeless romantic classics for Valentine’s Day with one of the UK’s leading conductors Nicholas Collon
• Woo at the Zoo – Ruffed lemurs are red, peacocks are blue, come and enjoy Valentine’s Day at Belfast Zoo (14th & 15th Feb)
• Valentine’s Afternoon Tea on 15th February in the opulent surroundings of the Titanic Suite for a romantic celebration by the Grand Staircase at Titanic Belfast. 
• A romantic meal for two at Shu Restaurant set in a fine Victorian terrace on Belfast’s Stylish Lisburn Road.

Contact us today to book a romantic ‘Be My Valentine’ package and enjoy a 2 night stay at in the luxurious Tara Lodge boutique hotel.

Every Hotel Needs a 'Ricky'

When you hear the name ‘Ricky’ an illustrious few spring to mind; Ricky Gervais, Ricky Whittle, the hip swivelling Ricky Martin, not forgetting the torment of every Ricky the length & breadth of the country...Bianca’s long suffering ‘Rickaaay’ from EastEnders (yes you’ve done it too!).  Following a stay at Tara Lodge hotel in Belfast, guests leave with the memory of another face to add to this quintessential list…

The Ricky we speak of is famous in his own right, not for being a successful sportsman, talented singer or a celebrated comedian (he would argue this). Our Ricky stands out reservedly just for being him, an invaluable member of the Tara Lodge team for the past 13 years.  He has steadily built up a fiercely loyal fan base over the years who on arrival, generally cut straight to the chase with ‘Is Ricky still here’? We are always delighted to confirm that he is.  His friendly face is one they are warmly greeted by time and time again.  Throughout his long standing service Ricky has witnessed Tara Lodge transform from an unassuming 19 room Guest House into what it is today, an exquisite 34 bedroom City Centre Boutique Hotel, voted Tripadvisors number #1 Hotel in Belfast since 2007.

Ricky brings his own naturally entertaining personality to work each day. This adds a little sparkle to every guests stay.  If you’ve ever been lucky enough to be served by him at breakfast, you will know what we mean!   He is naturally gifted with an enviable memory which unlike most of us has not diminished with time. Derren Brown has yet to meet his Northern Irish match.  At the drop of a hat he effortlessly recalls names, room preferences & even breakfast orders for guests who may not have stayed with us for many years, including in some instances, how they like their eggs cooked!

Hailing originally from ‘Pordydown’ as he puts it, Belfast has been his home now for over 30 years. What he doesn't know about Belfast, its history & attractions honestly isn't worth knowing. Above all, Ricky knows how to look after our guests, genuinely, professionally and with a lot of character.  David and Angela Giglotti were compelled to write the following personal e-mail after their recent stay at Tara Lodge…

'I rarely take the time to send out a special thanks to the service we experienced. However while staying at your hotel your rooms and staff were amazing, especially Ricky, his attention to detail made us feel like I was at the Ritz five star hotel. He loves his job and it is evident right away. Wish every hotel had a Ricky!!!'

We may be biased in agreeing wholeheartedly with David & Angela but thankfully every hotel doesn’t have a Ricky, just us!

You too can experience the same amazing service first hand, from all our team.  Simply click on the following link to check out our hotel rooms & current range of fantastic packages! www.taralodge.com

Post-Christmas Retail Therapy and Hotel Deals in Vibrant Belfast City

With the January sales just around the corner, now is the time to grab fantastic hotels deals you won’t find at any other time of the year. And there is nowhere better than Belfast to bag a bargain and combat those post-Christmas blues with an intense bout of retail therapy.

Our boutique hotel in Belfast is the ideal basecamp for any shopping expedition – a fifteen minute walk will take you into the heart of Belfast city where you can experience all that this vibrant, up and coming city has to offer for the avid shopper. From high street stores, to exquisite boutiques, to one-off, locally owned shops we have it all! Most stores in Belfast traditionally start their sales on Boxing Day, with discounted stock going on sale in pre-January but come the New Year there is still plenty to be purchased by the avid bargain hunter.

After a long morning of shopping until you drop, you’ll need a bite to eat. Refuel in one of many popular restaurants and trendy cafes in Belfast city centre. And if you have time, why not visit some of Belfast’s local attractions including Titanic Belfast, Ulster Museum, Belfast City Hall, Linen Hall Library, Belfast Castle, Cave Hill and Belfast Zoo.

To help you make the most of your time in Belfast, and to ensure you make that early start for a productive day of shopping with a great night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast inside you, Tara Lodge is offering a number of special offers and deals to tempt you. Now all you have to do is choose a special offers package:

Banish those January Blues

New Start, New Year – enjoy an overnight stay in a luxurious signature double room with a guided taxi tour of Belfast with Paddy Campbell’s Black Taxi Tours, a delicious 4 course dinner at the award-winning restaurant Shu and late check-out to 2pm.

Facebook Flash Sale

Sale, sale, sale with 25% off our signature hotel rooms. Follow Tara Lodge on Facebook for the upcoming ‘Facebook Flash Sale’. You’ll definitely grab yourself a bargain!

Baby its Cold Outside

Stay cosy with a loved one this Winter with an overnight stay in one of our luxurious Signature Rooms. We’ll make sure you have a memorable night with a rose scattered kingsize bed, prosecco on ice and hand dipped chocolate strawberries for that special touch. All the little extras in your gift bag will help you to get ready for a great night.

 Tara Lodge hotel deals will run throughout January to February 2015. Keep up-to-date with special offers and hotel deals available from Tara Lodge Boutique hotel on Facebook or TaraLodge.com.