We stayed at this Guest House in this tree-lined suburb after researching a great deal of places in Belfast. We traveled from sunny Florida for a conference my partner was asked to attend February 8-10, 2012. We brought our son and my mother in law and were treated very, very well by the owners of the Guest house, Alice and Stephen. They are the nicest couple and know all the best things to do in Belfast. Both were a big help in deciding places to see and do.
Let me start off with the entry way. The minute I stepped in, I felt like I was at a home. The foyer is beautifully, but functionally appointed. The floors are all wood and highly polished. The furniture was tasteful and well finished. The carpet, household fixtures, furniture are in excellent condition. The walls, ceiling and baseboards were very clean. Really, the entire place was spotless. We booked a triple room and a singe (to get rid of the 13 year old) and settled in. The beds have duvets, fluffy covers, a large sham and two pillows. The nightstands and headboards were gorgeous, dark wood. There was a well made wooden desk in the room to work (I was still working). We were suprised to learn the furniture we thought to be new, were hand made by Stephen. The heaters in the room were absolutely dust free. It looked like Alice and Stephen had just finished refurbishing it because it all looked new. The sheets, draperies are spotless and stylish and beautiful. The room we had looked out with a bay window onto the street. In the single room we had a window looked out on the garden. There were fresh tea bags with a hot water heater (new) in the room with sugar, milk and new clean cups. DVD player with huge LCD flat-screen television, room to room and local calls.
The bed? Oooooohhh. The beds were just the right firmness with lush pillows that your head just plopped into. I did not stay awake long after laying down. It was extremely quiet at night. The house is very solid and well-built. The rooms above us were silent even though there were other guests. The heaters were very good and we had to turn them down because the rooms kept the heat so well.
The bathrooms and showers are brand new, or at least Alice and Stephen keep them that way (I think they were brand new). The showers were so relaxing and warm. It's an instant heater so you had plenty of hot water. All the bathroom fixtures were very good and the shelves held all the women's "stuff." It just looks brand new.
In the morning, the food was just wonderful. Grapefruit and orange juice, yoghurt, full grain and white bread, tea OR coffee with fresh Irish cream... It was pure luxury. (I love breakfast). The were several cereals and a Irish breakfast with cherry tomatoes, sausage, eggs anyway you liked, ham and potatoes. All while looking out at the beautiful Irish garden in the background. (along with MJ and Kevin- the neighbors cats).
The other guests were all very interesting and nice to us. We had very pleasant exchanges and heard interesting life stories at breakfast.
In the drawing room there was large selections of DVDs which were classics or interesting. They were free to use. In the drawing room down stairs you could visit or wait for your cab. The cab company Alice and Steven prefer were NOT NYC cabs. When she called them or you called the, there were there - 5 minutes or less. We really had to scramble to not make them wait.
One of the most pleasant aspects was Avenue's location. It literally was 15 minutes from down town by foot. There was a good Thai food place (down the street) and a alcohol store just a little further. There were lots of other restaurants literally in the neighborhood. (including 5 stars if you go in for that) It's close to Queen's University, so university students go buy day and night. It was also about a 7-10 minute walk to the Ulster Museum.
The only downside, if you could say it, was the parking. We figured it out at last. Here's the secret: You have to look for parking in the morning or at about 5:00-7:00 at night before the working people come home. If you do, the parking is no problem at all. I
It was a very, very pleasant, cozy, comfortable and quiet B&B and most reasonably priced. Alice and Stephen just made our Belfast visit so relaxing at their guesthouse.
If I sound like I had a wonderful time, I did. I have been traveling since I was 8 years old with my military father and I have stayed in a LOT of hotels. (Don't ask me about some of those) Avenue guest house is the finest B&B I have been to. It's just wonderful. When we return, we will be staying there. (We want to find out if Stephen going to finish those book shelves)