Northern Star Hotel vs North Star Hotel: Compare Prices & History

If you’re searching for a hotel with “Northern Star” in the name, you’ll find strikingly different properties scattered across three continents — from a 3-star pub-hotel in Newcastle, Australia, to a 99-room Alberta hotel with a troubled guest history, to a spa-equipped international property in Mek’ele, Ethiopia. This comparison digs into the verified facts behind each property, helping you decide which one fits your trip — or whether the name alone carries real meaning.

Last checked: 2026-06-11

Northern Star Hotel Hamilton – Address: 112 Beaumont Street, Hamilton, NSW ·
Northern Star Hotel Hamilton – Website: www.northernstarhotel.com.au ·
North Star Hotel Dublin – Average room price: $241 ·
North Star Hotel Dublin – Wikipedia article: Available

Pros and cons of each property

What is the history of the North Star Hotel?

The North Star Hotel in Dublin has a dedicated Wikipedia article documenting its history as a well-known Dublin accommodation. The article notes that the hotel is recognized as an iconic Irish pub-hotel with a rich heritage. While the Wikipedia entry does not specify a star rating, its presence on the encyclopedia suggests the property holds a degree of historical and cultural significance within the Dublin hospitality landscape.

By contrast, the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton in Newcastle, Australia, has no Wikipedia article — but its history is written in its Facebook presence. The property has accumulated 2,903 Facebook likes and 4,223 check-ins, indicating an active community following as a local pub-hotel since at least the social media era.

The bottom line: The Dublin hotel has the deeper documented history, including a Wikipedia article. The Hamilton property relies on social media footprint as its history marker.

Why is the North Star so special?

What makes the North Star name stand out varies dramatically by location. The North Star Hotel Dublin markets itself as an iconic Irish pub-hotel, blending traditional pub atmosphere with modern comfort — a positioning that attracts both tourists and locals seeking authentic Irish hospitality.

In Newcastle, the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton uses a different formula: it operates as a 3-star property on Booking.com with a garden, restaurant, and bar. Its winter 2025 menu — published on the official site — shows Wednesday steak night (250g rump or 200g sirloin for AUD 25) and Thursday burger night (AUD 20 with a vegan-friendly option). This positions the property as a hybrid: half hotel, half local pub-restaurant with aggressive food pricing.

Meanwhile, the Northern Star International Hotel in Mek’ele stands apart by offering on-site spa services — hot stone massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs — alongside two bars and two coffee shops, per its Hotels.com listing. This amenity set is unusual for a property carrying the “Northern Star” name, which elsewhere leans toward pub-style or budget accommodations.

The trade-off: “Northern Star” means a pub-focused experience in Australia, a spa-enhanced stay in Ethiopia, and a historic Irish pub-hotel in Dublin. The specialness depends entirely on which property you choose.

What is the northernmost Irish pub in the world?

The Northern Star Hotel in Hamilton, Australia, is sometimes called an “authentic Irish pub” in guest reviews, but it is far from the northernmost. A Facebook post identified in research notes claims that a venue called the “Northern most pub in Ireland” exists, though the post does not name a specific property or provide verified coordinates.

According to the Northern Star alumni Facebook group, community-recommended hotels near a campus reunion included the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton as a “safe and nearby” option — reinforcing its role as a practical local stay rather than a geographic landmark.

The actual northernmost Irish pub in the world is believed to be in a different location entirely, but no verified source in our research data confirms a specific establishment. What is clear: the Hamilton property is not it.

The catch: Despite its Irish-pub branding, the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton is not the northernmost Irish pub — that title belongs to an unverified venue referenced in social media. The catch: Despite its Irish-pub branding, the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton is not the northernmost Irish pub — that title belongs to an unverified venue referenced in social media, and you can find a comparison of Northern Star and North Star hotels in this $Hotel guide.

What is the new 5-star hotel in Portrush?

Dunluce Lodge is identified in research notes as a 5-star resort on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, serving as a luxury option in that region. This property is unrelated to any Northern Star hotel but appears in search data alongside queries about 5-star hotels in Northern Ireland.

For context, WebstaurantStore’s hotel star rating guide describes a 5-star hotel as “a high-end luxury experience,” while a 3-star property like the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton “offers a balance of affordability and amenities.” The difference between the Hamilton property and Dunluce Lodge illustrates the full range of the 1–5 star system.

No Northern Star property in our data holds a 4-star or 5-star classification. The Hamilton hotel is the only one with a confirmed star rating — a 3-star designation from Booking.com.

What this means: If you need a 5-star experience in Northern Ireland, Dunluce Lodge is the relevant option. Northern Star properties occupy the mid-range to unclassified space.

Comparing the Northern Star properties side by side

Guest feedback patterns

For the Northern Star Hotel Hamilton, Trivago shows an aggregate guest rating of 8.3 out of 10 based on 1,362 ratings, placing it in the top 10% of comparable stays on that platform. Expedia’s listing also highlights strong guest feedback about rooms, staff, location, food, and the pub.

For Hotel Northern Star Slave Lake, the picture is less consistent. A Booking.com review describes the room as “old, too small, stinky, and could not open the window.” A TripAdvisor review titled “Worst hotel I have ever stayed at” alleges fire hazards, a broken window, a dirty toilet and bathroom, and no towels or garbage pickup. These are two independent negative reviews from different platforms — but without three or more reviews supporting the same pattern, we cannot generalize. We can say that at least two reviewers reported serious cleanliness and safety concerns.

No guest review data appears in our research for the Northern Star International Hotel in Mek’ele or the North Star Hotel Dublin.

Best for which traveler?

• Irish pub enthusiasts: The Northern Star Hotel Hamilton offers the most direct pub-hotel experience with verified food specials and a 3-star price point.
• Budget travelers: The Hamilton property’s Wednesday steak night (AUD 25) and Thursday burger night (AUD 20) represent aggressive value pricing, though accommodation rates are not specified.
• City explorers: The North Star Hotel Dublin sits in a capital city with public transit and tourist infrastructure, though no specific location data is available in our research.
• Family groups: Hotel Northern Star Slave Lake allows pets (CAD 25/day) and has a gym and garden — but the negative reviews about cleanliness and safety suggest caution.
• Business or spa travelers: Northern Star International Hotel in Mek’ele offers the most comprehensive amenity set among the four, with spa services, multiple bars, and a 24-hour front desk.

Location and getting there

The Northern Star Hotel Hamilton is located at 112 Beaumont Street, Hamilton, NSW, approximately a 19-minute walk from Newcastle Showground (1.6 km, per Booking.com). This places it within walking distance of a major events venue in Newcastle.

Hotel Northern Star Slave Lake sits at 801 Main Street, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada. Slave Lake is a town in northern Alberta, approximately 2.5 hours north of Edmonton by car. The property offers free self-parking, which is likely essential given the remote location.

Northern Star International Hotel is located in Mek’ele, Tigray region, Ethiopia — postal code 7000. It does not allow pets or service animals, per its Hotels.com listing.

The North Star Hotel Dublin is situated in Dublin, Ireland, without a specific street address available in our research data.

Our pick: Which Northern Star should you choose?

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Frequently asked questions

Sources cited

• Northern Star Hotel Hamilton — Official Winter Menu 2025
• Booking.com — Northern Star Hotel Hamilton
• Expedia — Hotel Northern Star Slave Lake
• Hotels.com — Northern Star International Hotel Mek’ele
• Trivago — Northern Star Hotel Newcastle
• WebstaurantStore — Hotel star rating guide
• Warehouse Hotel Manheim — Star rating explainer
• Booking.com — Guest review for Hotel Northern Star Slave Lake
• TripAdvisor — Review of Hotel Northern Star Slave Lake
• Facebook — Northern Star alumni group