Hastings Hotels Celebrates 50 Years of The Iconic Europa Hotel

News

In Belfast, Northern Ireland

Hastings Hotels is delighted to be celebrating the 50^th birthday of the jewel in its crown, the Europa Hotel. In recognition of this significant milestone, the Europa (the most bombed hotel in the world) will be hosting an interactive installation in the lobby depicting its impressive history and the finials outside the front of the hotel will transformed to golden. The hotel is also welcoming guests with brand new menus and cocktails inspired by the 1970s.

History

The world-famous hotel was built on the site of the former Great Northern Railway Station and was opened in 1971 by Grand Metropolitan Hotels. The Europa was then purchased by the late Sir William Hastings in 1993 after it was taken over by receivers at a time when it was hard to believe that Northern Ireland would be seen as a tourist destination due to the Troubles across the province. The pioneering hotelier invested £8M and reopened the hotel in 1994.

And whilst it is known as the world’s most bombed hotel, having been targeted 33 times between 1970 and 1994, the Europa is part of the peace story of Northern Ireland and has transformed into an iconic symbol of Belfast’s survival.

Celebrity Guests

The hotel is even better known for the celebrities that have stayed there over the years. In 1995, President Clinton became the first US serving President to visit Northern Ireland and stayed at the Europa. 110 rooms were booked for his entourage and Clinton returned to stay at the hotel in 1998. Other famous guests have included Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Bob Dylan, Lionel Ritchie, Victoria Beckham and Elvis Costello.

Photo by Darren Kidd / Presseye Europa Hotel new guest bedrooms.The programme, which started in September 2019 and will be completed by March 2022, will see the 100 front-facing Superior bedrooms, 80 Classic bedrooms and five Suites redesigned and upgraded. Upon completion, all rooms will be individually air-conditioned, have automated window blinds, new bathrooms and refreshed interiors and Classic rooms will have a new King Cloud Bed with Super King Cloud Beds in the Superior rooms.

UP ON THE ROOF…The gardeners planting the new edible roof garden at the Europa Hotel, needed an extra hand this week in the form of a crane to help put in place the flower beds and greenhouse. The greenhouse will be used to grow microherbs and peashoots for the hotel from April to October and the raised beds have been planted with rhubarb, bay trees, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, coriander, chives and even chocolate mint for the chefs to use across many of their popular dishes and even in cocktails in the bars.

The Hotel Today

When it first opened, the Europa was 51 metres tall and had 205 bedrooms. Hastings Hotels has invested over £40m after continuous renovations over the last 30 years and the hotel now has 272 luxurious bedrooms and is currently in the process of a renovation programme which will see the 90 front-facing Superior bedrooms, 85 Classic bedrooms and six Suites redesigned and upgraded. There are also 91 executive rooms built on more recently.

Julie Hastings, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “Despite almost constant challenges and setbacks, the Europa continues to stand proud as a beacon for Belfast’s unique enduring spirit. No other hotel in the world has the history to rival that of the Europa’s. My father had the courage and optimism to buy it when nobody else did. He invested heavily at the time despite the bombings that followed over the next three years. And it was this confidence that then led to Belfast, and Northern Ireland, to begin its journey to become the well-loved tourist destination that it is today.”

In Celebration

The story of the Europa was told in a book published 10 years ago called ‘In the Headlines’ because it always was! And now for this 50^th celebrations there will be an interactive installation in the hotel’s lobby depicting its history for everyone to peruse and enjoy. The well-known central finials down the front of the outside of the hotel will be changed to golden and the famous sign that can be seem across the city will be replicated inside the hotel for those Instagram pictures. There will be menus, and cocktails offered from the 1970’s and the famous Hastings Hotels ducks will become golden.

Martin Mulholland, Head Concierge of the Europa Hotel and one of the longest serving employees added: “The Europa is a Belfast icon. Guests love its story, the characters that have stayed here and indeed its workers. The story of Belfast in the last 50 years can’t be told without mentioning the Europa – from being the first international hotel in the city to the last word in luxury. It has never rested on its laurels, constantly extending, refurbishing, and updating to maintain its reputation as the place to stay when visiting Belfast. It has been my absolute joy and pleasure to be ‘front of house’ welcoming our guests from around the world for the last 35 years.”

As part of the 50^th birthday celebrations, the Europa Hotel has launched a Golden Moments package from £115 per room which includes luxurious overnight accommodation, full Irish breakfast, a signature cocktail in the Piano Lounge, signature truffles and exclusive golden Hasting duck. For further information or to book, go to www.hastingshotels.com

The Europa hotel (https://www.hastingshotels.com/europa-belfast/ ; +44 (0) 28 9027 1066) offers rooms from £95 based on two people sharing a Classic Double Room.