V-Flyer

Following my earlier trip to Belfast, the slow way (train to Holyhead, flight to Isle of Man, then one to Belfast, full details here ) my return journey was more direct.

I stayed for two nights in the lovely Tara Lodge which has does a great breakfast, spotlessly clean rooms and friendly staff.

Tara Lodge Room


I then stayed for a night in The Merchant Hotel, an altogether grander affair...

My room (The Louis McNeice Suite) was open plan and I felt a bit of place as I was there on my own, but also delighted at the upgrade and amenities provided.





Breakfast was taken in The Great Hall. The meal wasn't as nice as the Tara Lodge one.





bmi have flown from Belfast City Airport since 2001, something that has escaped their website information pages!

I was very early at the airport, one reason being that it had started to rain heavily and traipsing around the city at 4pm didn't appeal, when I could be at the airport lounge.

I got rid of my suitcase and DISASTER - realised I'd forgotten my Priority Pass.

This wasn't the end of the world as I'd noticed that bmi now sell lounge access with their flights - surely that would be easy enough to do?

Well... three phone calls and 40 minutes later, I had in my hand an MCO for lounge access. This would be from two hours prior to boarding.

In the meantime, there was a media scrum around this gentleman. Any idea who he is?




Later I went through security - quick and easy, and headed up to the lounge.
It was spacious, and empty.





There was a bar (where I invented the T & G), cheese and crackers, cupcakes, olives, crisps etc.

It was a nice place to spend time and had it's own exit to the walkway to the plane. The manager was chatting to another regular customer for ages and seemed to have a great rapport with each other.

A bmi staffer also sat down near me, heading over to London: bleach blond hair and too much aftershave.

I had a look through this magazine, to see who I recognised. I recognised no one.



Some more drinks followed before flight boarding was announced.
I was in Row 6, and the bmi blond was in Row 5, the whiff of aftershave was overpowering!

The 'plane was spotless, and the refurbished cabin looked very smart, the staff were friendly and the flight actually very enjoyable.

A shame if bmi are to vanish.

Thank you for the great TR and photos. I'm looking foward to my BMI flight to Moscow early next month, my last two BMI flights were excellent, very good lounge at LHR, clean aircraft and excellent service from the flight crew.

Thanks for the TR Sealink and as always, your photo-journalism makes for an enjoyable read.
Shame about the pong from blondie - I'm sure we had a thread about offensive odours on board.

Daffodil wrote: BMI ...... very good lounge at LHR

Daffodil - I agree the BMI lounge is good by normal standards, but when you have been spoilt by spending too much time in the Virgin clubhouse at LHR everything else feels poor by comparison.

Great TR sealink as always . Photos do make the reading more enjoyable and reading about the the new hotels to stay.

Thanks for the TR. I love the Merchant - have to go to Belfast quite regularly and it's the only place I'll stay (even if I end up paying a supplement myself because it's not 'in policy'!).

I've always liked the breakfasts there as well - in fact they generally double up as hangover cures. So just a bit curious about what you think lets it down relative to the Tara?

RC

Thanks all: have fixed an error in one of the picture links too.

So who is the "famous" arrival at Belfast City?

Another top TR. Like the look of the Merchant....

Thank you for the TR and pics?

The "famous" might be Ireland Rugby's Fergus McFadden but it's difficult to tell from the side view.

ratechaser wrote:Thanks for the TR. I love the Merchant - have to go to Belfast quite regularly and it's the only place I'll stay (even if I end up paying a supplement myself because it's not 'in policy'!).

I've always liked the breakfasts there as well - in fact they generally double up as hangover cures. So just a bit curious about what you think lets it down relative to the Tara?

RC

I loved The Merchant! But the breakfast at Tara Lodge was nicer. And the presentation of Tara Lodge breakfast was lovely too.