A Bohemian rhapsody that’s fit for a queen

The hotel has opened in Belfast at the former home of one of the men who created the Robinson and Cleaver enterprise and the building has other Co Armagh connections.

The Harrison Chambers of Distinction is a Belfast bolthole which has ‘been hosting scoundrels and scholars since 1879’ say the new owners.

On the Malone Road, this former home of John Cleaver of Robinson and Cleaver fame, has been described as friendly, eclectic Victorian heritage accommodation with no two rooms the same.

After John Cleaver met Richhill girl Maey Anne Spence, the couple were married in the village and set up home on Belfast’s Malone Road. With his colleague John created one of the most successful department stores in Ireland, Robinson and Cleaver.

Now Melanie Harrison and her father Derek, both from Richhill, have restored the former Cleaver residence, home to his family of eight children, into a new and exciting place to stay.

The Harrisons are a well known and highly respected family in the Richhill area. Melanie’s mum Pat, a former teacher, used to own Benneton in Portadown while Derek, originally from Tarson, moved to land just outside Richhill and named it Windyridge Farm. They set up Windyridge Farm Eggs.

Melanie (49) is the eldest of five and grew up on the family farm so she is well used to doing all sorts of jobs.

“There were always lots of characters calling in so I like talking to many different type of people,” she said.

She was a pupil at Hardy Memorial PS in Richhill and later Portadown College but always had wanderlust so she decided to travel the world.

“I lived all around the world, New Zealand, USA, France, Luxembourg, south west England and finally I came back and settled in Belfast. I was a food technologist and travelled a lot with my job to places like Australia, Mexico, Italy etc,” she revealed.

It is that global sophistication that Melanie has woven into her new hotel, with pieces she has collected over the years adorning the bedrooms.

It was a few years ago they had the idea of building a hotel but obviously the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the opening.

“We didn’t foresee the COVID crisis but we kept on going despite being delayed during lockdown.

“We fell in love with the building, its history and we thoroughly enjoyed restoring it and bringing it back to its former glory.

“It is an iconic row of buildings and Dad always says he wanted to create a landmark with this project. I think he has been successful.”

Melanie explained each room is named after a famous writer, artist or colourful character with links to NI.

“Yeats’ father was born in Tullylish just outside Gilford where his father was rector, the Brontes from Loughbrickland, Jonathan Swift, John Lavery, William Conor, Percy French, CS Lewis, Seamus Heaney and even the lady who inspired the film Zoo where she rescued the elephant from the zoo during the war. The rooms are very special and it is sited in a very Bohemian neighbourhood, close to Queen’s, the Ulster Museum and countless arts and entertainment venues.”

For more information see www.chambersofdistinction.com

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