Meet The Team
Whether you are already involved in serviced accomodation or just hoping to get your foot in the door, this book gives you a unique insight into the industry.
With sections on dealing with property, people, promotion, processes and protection.
The Book: Serviced Accommodation 5 Star Fundamentals.
David Cordner
Managing Director
Hi guys I’m Dave. Owner of Central Belfast Apartments. Central Belfast Apartments started as “Self Catering Accommodation Belfast” back in 2007 by my parents Stephen & Jane. Back when Belfast’s tourism industry barely existed! I was always involved to some extent with the business while I was growing up. In 2014 I purchased my own apartment called Central Belfast Apartment.
The next year I bought and renovated Citygate Apartment which remains one of our most popular apartments. I made some bold design decisions there which I think paid off and those unique design choices still make our properties instantly recognisable among the competition! In 2016 we rebranded to Central Belfast Apartments and began managing investor’s properties as serviced apartments on their behalf.
The things I learned in the early days around delivering excellent customer service and offering the highest quality accommodation have stuck with me and we are market leaders in terms of quality and customer satisfaction.
I love this work. I think we have a great city with so much to offer and I love sharing it with visitors. Especially those coming for the first time. They always tell us the city exceeds their expectations. Everywhere they go is authentic with actual real life Belfast people and not full of tourists like Dublin is. The city is small but perfectly formed! Everywhere is walkable. Giant’s Causeway and other amazing scenery is all so close. Game of Thrones, Titanic, our political history. These are our things that make us unique and people will always want to come here because of them.
I therefore feel it’s essential that when people visit that they have an amazing experience so they go home and tell their friends and family “GO TO BELFAST!” At Central Belfast Apartments we bend over backwards for our guests to ensure they have the best accommodation experience, setting them up to enjoy the rest of the city. So often our guests arrive in a taxi from the airport laughing away with the driver who got the feel good factor going. They check in with us and we keep that feel good factor going (and ramp it up with free wine). Then they venture out into the city and our tours, restaurants and bars all do their bit. It all comes together to create an amazing trip for visitors.
Top Tip for Belfast.
To get an amazing view of Belfast. Take a wee dander (walk) up Cave Hill. It’s definitely a hidden gem that a lot of visitors don’t know about but is 100% a must see! It’s about 10 minutes outside the city centre by car or bus and the walk starts at the beautiful Belfast Castle. It is just a hill but at times it gets pretty steep. It is definitely worth it though as the views are spectacular. And as the name suggests there is a cave that you can explore if you’re brave enough to climb up into it!
Cheryl McCook
General Manager
Having been born into a family run construction company, Cheryl developed a strong interest in property from an early age. After graduating University, she decided not to pursue a teaching career and opted to join the family company instead as their lone Estate Agent, developing a high level of customer service over the years.
On the side, Cheryl delved into the world of hospitality and it was then she truly found her niche. Leaving the property negotiating behind she joined a Front Office team in a well-known hotel at a UNESCO World Heritage site, quickly climbing from receptionist to Front Office Manager, proving guest relation management really is her strong point.
After a relocation to Belfast, she has joined Central Belfast Apartments, combining her love for property and Front of House customer service. Being a country girl, she has settled in well to city life and finds Belfast to be a fantastic city with lots on offer.
In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys trips home to the country, spending time with her cats and dogs, holidaying and sipping on cocktails in one of Belfast’s many bars.
Top tip for Belfast:
I recommend one of the Black Taxi Tours for those interested in the history of Northern Ireland or sampling the delicious food and drink available at St. George’s Market is another must-do.
Katty Patterson
Assistant Manager
Originally from the north coast of Ireland, Katty made her home in Belfast fifteen years ago and is huge advocate for the city. With a background in retail management and customer service alongside a love for interiors, she wanted to step into something that utilised her skill set but with more of a focus within the tourist industry. Welcoming guests from around the world, especially given the last few years, is such a joy and being able to be even a small part of their experience in Belfast is a really special thing. When she’s not working, you can usually find her in a second-hand store or chasing her three boys round some playpark.
Top Tip for Belfast:
Remember that Belfast stretches beyond the City Centre. Ballyhackamore in East Belfast is about a 10 minute bus journey and was recently named by The Sunday Times as the ‘Best Place To Live in Northern Ireland’. It’s a thriving hub of restaurants – I recommend eating at Lottie grabbing some snacks from the Guillemot deli. It’s just a short walk down to the famous C.S. Lewis statue at the Holywood Arches and if you follow the road down a bit further, you can stop for a craft beer at Bullhouse East where you can choose from 20 rotating taps. Finally, a little further along, just at the top of the Newtownards Road, you’ll find Portview, a revived mill now home to a collection of indie start-ups. Be sure to check out Flout, an artisanal pizzeria, Sound advice record store and vintage homeware shop Dandy Lion. As with all independent shops, find them on Instagram to check their opening hours before visiting.
Cassie O’Neill
Maintenance Supervisor
Yorkshire born and bred, she moved to Northern Ireland in the 90’s and procured an art degree from college in Dublin. She moved to the retail sector and spent the next ten years working in Creative and Merchandising Management between the UK and New York, eventually re-locating back to Northern Ireland in 2023 and starting work with CBA. In her spare time, she likes to walk and, after completing the Camino de Santiago in 2018, hopes to plan in some power hikes in the near future.
Top Tip for Belfast:
Bring an umbrella!
Naomi McCook
Front of House
Another North Coast native, Naomi worked in the care sector for many years before spending some time within The Home Office. After having her little boy, Naomi started work with Central Belfast Apartments and enjoys the daily interactions with our valued guests from around the globe and talking with people from all walks of life. Outside of work, she focuses on making memories with her family, walking her dog, Lulu, and holidaying together whenever possible.
Top Tip for Belfast:
If you’re a dog lover like Naomi, check out pet-friendly cafes like Harlem Café or The Pocket, both located in the City centre, for some cracking coffee and fluffy pooches. On an evening, book a table in 3 Levels – Asian Fusion for Japanese Teppanyaki – you’ll get an entertaining fire show and some knife juggling whilst sipping on your cocktails!