Howard Hastings, Chairman, Hastings Hotels

Posted in People on 2 April, 2024

For hotelier Howard Hastings, buying, curating and commissioning is all wrapped up in the art of hospitality.

Words by Karen Bamford

My first ever trip to Belfast was more than a little surreal – and not just because of the room full of Salvador Dali sculptures at my hotel. I’d been transported from Belfast City Airport to the fairytale-like Culloden Estate and Spa in ten minutes. But just as I was marvelling at the turreted hotel set in immaculate grounds overlooking Belfast Loch, a giant bear seemed to run towards me. It was, of course, one of the many sculptures by acclaimed Irish artist Patrick O’Reilly that was dotted around the property.

I had arrived in time for the bi-annual Art & Soul fair but was unprepared for the heft of this heady event. The elegantly papered walls of the former Palace of the Bishops of Down were dripping with millions of pounds worth of contemporary art and the pristine gardens were peppered with such an assortment of sculptures it was like watching a fairground game of whack-a-mole.

Lobby, Culloden Estate and Spa. Photograph: Jack Hardy

It was exuberant, joyful and thought provoking. It was also a masterclass in how hotels can differentiate their offerings by connecting their properties to meaningful artworks. This wasn’t just an exhibition that would pack up and go, it was part of an ongoing collaboration between Howard Hastings, Chairman of Hastings Hotels, and gallery owner Oliver Gormley, who share a passion for promoting artists and are driven to introduce art to everyone.

All of which may sound rather worthy, but the fair is an informal way for people to notice, or not, the artwork as they move around the hotel whether as a staying guest or visitor to the exhibition, which is free to enter. As significant as the pieces are, they weren’t there to be stared at in hushed awe. I quaffed wine cosily in a lounge hung with artworks by Damien Hirst and found my way along corridors and up quiet staircases, meeting masterpieces by celebrated artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Robert Indiana and Banksy at every turn.

The work was here to surprise, provoke, excite. And it did.

Artwork from private collection

Andy Warhol: Mildred Scheel

“It’s amazing how people start to form a reaction to art and if they identify that with a particular place so much the better,” said Howard, a former chartered accountant, who had no intention of working hospitality until events took an unexpected turn.

He was working in London for Volvo in 1989 when his father, Sir William Hastings, who founded Hastings Hotels more than 50 years ago, suffered a major heart attack. Howard went home to help the family business. Sir William recovered well, and the two worked together for 28 years. Howard became chairman in 2022 and his sisters also work for the company.

The group comprises luxurious characterful hotels in Northern Ireland. In Belfast, these are the Culloden Estate and Spa, the world-famous Europa Hotel, the Stormont Hotel and the Grand Central Hotel. The Everglades Hotel is in Derry–Londonderry and Ballygally Castle is a 17th century castle on the Antrim Coastal Route overlooking Ballygally Bay.

Artwork from private collection

I stayed at Culloden and also Grand Central for two different but equally impressive experiences. Standing in 12 acres of secluded gardens and woodland, it’s hard to believe the 98-key Culloden is so close to Belfast city centre. Tranquil and seductive, the hotel has all the charm and comfort you want of a country house property and yet the guestrooms are relatively modern – free of fusty clutter while cosy and luxurious. The spa is exceptional, with an unusually large pool boasting tall windows overlooking the garden. A small sculpture of a woman luxuriously arching her back set the right tone for the most relaxing massage I’ve ever had.

Culloden Estate and Spa Sculpture. Photograph: Jack Hardy

For those who prefer to swank around in the heart of a city, the 300-key Grand Central is Northern Ireland’s tallest hotel. It has a sky-bar offering an unrivalled panoramic view and expertly mixed cocktails, and The Seahorse restaurant serves an exceptional eight-course tasting menu with wine pairings.

Hastings Hotels differentiates itself from big brand competitors by offering details such as roaring open fires, local produce, loyal staff who can share local stories, and art and sculpture that has been collected over many years. Each hotel has its own art collection, but occasionally a new purchase inspires a reshuffle between properties. Savvy guests often notice that an artwork has gone and decide to visit it in its new home.

“If you never move pieces, they can change from being active art to being just decoration. But if you move them around you, people will see things differently in new settings and have an opinion about where they prefer it. I think that’s important,” said Howard, who is particularly keen to support living local artists and buys one or two pieces at every Royal Ulster Academy annual exhibition.

Sir William suite, Grand Central Hotel. Photograph: Jack Hardy. Top: Restaurant, The Grand Central Hotel. Photograph: Jack Hardy

“People appreciate that we have reinvested some of the proceeds from the hotels back into the local community, whether that’s art or foodstuffs. We also want to showcase to international visitors some of the authentic creativity that goes on in this part of the world.”

Among the group’s collection is an early 1970s semi abstract painting of ‘Three Musicians’ by celebrated artist John Vallely from Armagh. As the artist’s style has evolved, his early work is particular prized.

There are works by the likes of Neil Shawcross MBE, who was born in Yorkshire in 1940 and has been living in Northern Ireland since 1962, and whose work is also displayed in Ulster Museum in Belfast. Neil taught many of the local artists whose work is exhibited now. Belfast born, award winning artist Rita Duffy is the creator of ‘McCracken’s Jacket’, which is proudly displayed in Grand Central and speaks to the shipyard heritage of Northern Ireland.

Art is subjective and choosing what to buy doesn’t lend itself to a committee decision, according to Howard. He bought several pieces by fine art painter Martin Mooney, who grew up in West Belfast, after they were displayed at the recent Art & Soul fair. Mooney had painted scenes of Belfast Loch, which naturally suited the hotel well. He had also branched out into striking floral pictures that worked well in the restaurant.

Among the more eye-catching pieces at the fair was ‘Out of the Shadows’ by Gordon Harris from Dublin. Superficially pleasant, the painting of a smiling young girl is eerie as she’s wearing an army helmet and her veins are visible in meticulous detail through translucent layers of paint.

“We bought a couple of Gordon’s paintings for Grand Central because they’re very modern and Instagram-able as well,” said Howard, who reasons that if anyone takes a picture and that image is in the background it will anchor the location for the viewer.

Howard is awaiting a piece he commissioned from famous portraitist Colin Davidson, who has painted everyone from the Queen to Brad Pitt. It will hang behind the front desk at the Europa Hotel. The commission came about after Howard saw a retrospective of Davidson’s work, which included an abstract painting of the number 71 bus that passed both Howard’s and Davidson’s childhood homes, and also the Europa. While Howard couldn’t buy the original piece, he is thrilled to have commissioned a similar painting for the hotel.

Reception, Culloden Estate and Spa. Photograph: Jack Hardy

Last year Hastings Hotels commissioned Robert Ballagh to create a piece to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The original hangs in the Europa, the most bombed hotel in the world during the Troubles, and a limited-edition print was given to President Joe Biden when he stayed at Grand Central in April.

“The ceasefire in the Troubles came in 1994 and the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, so it happened on my watch.” Howard tells me. “It was the seminal moment of my working life. I asked Robert if his work could give a nod to the hotel and its role in Northern Irish life pre and post the Good Friday Agreement and he has incorporated his depiction of the Europa Hotel in the work.”

One success story of the peace agreement is Tourism Ireland, which was created to increase cooperation between the north and south of the island, promote Ireland overseas and develop platforms for hotels. Howard was a founding board member. He is also a former chair of the longer-running Tourism Northern Ireland board, which markets Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.

Hastings Hotels: hastingshotels.com
Gormleys galleries: www gormleys.ie
Tourism Northern Ireland: tourismni.com
Tourism Ireland: tourismireland.com