Sometimes I just can't deny that being a blogger has it's perks. I'm a member of FABB which is a group of Fashion and Beauty Bloggers in N.Ireland. We've all had some great nights out together doing reviews and talking nonstop abut make up, and when we were invited along to a 'Blogger Slumber Party' at the Malone Lodge, well try to imagine a facebook group full of excited girls - slumber party!
The Malone Lodge Hotel is a beautiful 119 room hotel located just off the Malone Road (not far from the city centre!) in Belfast. It's right near my house, but I couldn't resist a night in a hotel bed! The hotel has refurbished it's banquet hall and such a beautiful venue for weddings, parties, anything you can think of! There's also a new restaurant open in the hotel, Knife & Fork Grill, although the restaurant has it's own door and is accessible to the public and not just hotel guests.
Our huge group of bloggers arrived on Friday evening to a champagne reception, and shown to our gorgeous rooms. We were told to get into our pjs and head down to the lobby! On our beds there was a gift of a super cosy onesie courtesy of Bank. After leaving our stuff off and heading back downstairs we were shown around the hotel. Walking through a full restaurant in your pjs is definitely an experience! Haha!
Once we had looked around the gorgeous hotel we were led to our own relaxing pamper room! Tables of champagne, cocktails, cupcakes, a huge bed for us all to chill out on (several double beds pushed together - bliss!).
After having a few drinks, we headed into a candlelit room next door which was laid with beautiful tables for us to eat at and a selection of deli food from Knife & Fork (which is also available for takeaway! Good to know!). The food was just amazing.
Over the course of the evening we were treated to a slumber party to die for. We had skin treatments provided by Skin Medi Spa. I had an Elemis hand massage which was a welcomed treat since my hands are such a mess from my job. We planted ourselves on the massive bed, had a make up demonstration by Rebecca Bryson MUA (a fellow Fabb girl and make up artist) and watched Breakfast at Tiffany's while eating popcorn and chatting about anything and everything!
We were so comfortable and well looked after that I don't think the staff expected us to stay in our pamper rooms that late! We headed to bed around 1:30am, I snuck up to visit Dawn who was staying in the bridal suite. I am obsessed with hotels, I love them. To me, there's nothing more luxurious than staying in a hotel bed. I slept like a starfish that night.
We all met up in the morning for a cooked breakfast at Knife and Fork (delish!) and eventually we all head our seperate ways, I don't think any of us wanted to leave!
I'd really recommend Malone Lodge if you are planning a visit to Belfast. For me it's in the perfect location, it's a 10 minute bus ride from the city centre, but it's in an area that has loads of lovely pubs to visit but is still calm and relaxed. The Botanic Gardens are just down the road and so is the Ulster Museum and Queens University. If you want to see what it's actually like to live in Belfast, and not be stuck in the manic city centre, then this is where you should stay for sure. I actually had never stayed in any Belfast hotels before beacuse I live here, but it's something I would do again. I feel refreshed and like I have been on a mini holiday but without any of the stress of travelling.
Big thank you to all the staff of Malone Lodge who looked after us so well, and to Anna who invited us along. We had a great time, I think you'll have trouble keeping us away! For anyone wanting to visit Belfast, do check Malone Lodge out and bear in mind it is very close to many of the places I've suggested in my Belfast guide!
