I went through all the pros and cons of the nicer hotels in Belfast (including the Europa, Mal Maison and Ten Square) and determined that the SAS RAdisson was most apppropriate for us. The others all had too manyissues with noise and tobacco odors. (I know -- I'm picky).

The only problem is the Radisson's location - it's in an office park, about a "five to ten minute walk" from the city center.

First, I'm highly cynical about any time estimate on the island of Ireland.

If I'm out by myself, or with my wife at 11 pm, is it safe to walk back to the hotel? Are cabs plentiful?

This isn't an orange and green thing -- I don't like being in deserted streets in any large city after dark.

Thanks - you folks have been very helpful.

It's little over a kilometre to the Central Station, if that helps.

When I visited belfast nearly 10 years ago (I was pretty young then) I was surprised at how safe it was. But you'll get taxis no problem, as the hotel for some numbers.^^

I found Belfast city to be relatively quiet after dark. I do remember walking by the SAS and it seemed kind of out of the way but looked to be a very nice hotel from the outside. I would say a 10 minute walk is about right and if you like walking it shouldnt be a problem. I didn't feel unsafe walking out at night but mainly because there really wasnt many people out other than me. I was staying at the Hilton so it may have been the path I was taking back to the hotel. I only used a taxi once and that was from a busy strip of bars and there was plenty of taxi's available. I dont know that you will find a lot of random crabs around for flagging down though.

It actually *is* about a ten minute walk to the city centre. However that is where the shops are. Bars / restaurants etc are actually closer than that - just a brief walk down Ormeau Avenue. The Radisson is not in a bad location at all.

Belfast is the second safest industrialised city in the world (after Tokyo) apparently and I would have no problems walking about at night. There is some public housing on either side of the hotel which could be considered less safe but you have no need to walk through it and 'less safe' is relative - it just means that they arent used to tourists walking through the middle !

I'd agree with that. As someone who used to live in Belfast, I would have no problem walking back there but the beginning of the Ormeau road (if you come from the centre) or the end of Donegall pass (if you come from the University area) will feel rather deserted at night, so if you dislike that, get a cab. They are plentiful and very reasonably priced in Belfast.