Merchant Hotel Gets The Spa Treatment

A £16m investment is set to transform Belfast's Cathedral Quarter and to create 100 new jobs. The proposed 2010 opening for an extension incorporating a spa, jazz bar and conference facilities was unveiled as a stunning ‘New Chapter’ in the story of Northern Ireland’s spectacular Merchant Hotel. 

The five star establishment, set in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, revealed dramatic plans for a new £16million extension set to create 100 new jobs and incorporating a new luxury spa, decadent jazz bar, roof top garden, new conference and event facilities, a state of the art gymnasium and 38 new bedrooms which will be the largest guest rooms available in Belfast at 42m².

Due for completion in Summer 2010, the impressive development is set to further transform the historical Cathedral Quarter in Belfast city centre with The Merchant Hotel now occupying an entire city block from Waring Street, through Skipper Street and High Street.

The expansive extension was part of The Merchant Hotel’s owner Bill Wolsey’s long term vision for the ground-breaking luxury hotel. Unveiling the plans, in front of 100 assembled key political and tourism guests from Northern Ireland industry, he commented: “I am delighted to see another part of my vision for The Merchant Hotel being realised here today.   The New Chapter has been in development for a number of years with careful consideration afforded to absolutely every new element.  We have created a landmark that the people of Belfast can continue to be take pride in.”

“The innovative facilities will allow us to further grow our profile as an international standard bearer for Northern Ireland’s tourism and hospitality industry.  It is due to the hard work and dedication of our team that today The Merchant has an internationally acclaimed reputation alongside the world’s most respected hotels and a guest experience that is second to none in Northern Ireland.  We have much to look forward to with the completion of the New Chapter in 2010.” 

New elements of The Merchant Hotel’s £16million New Chapter include:

• 38 new bedrooms. These will be the largest guest rooms available in Belfast (42m² minimum)
• A luxury spa with five treatment rooms, a Champagne nail bar, a hydrotherapy area and excellent dining facilities. This will be the first full spa available in Belfast city centre and will be open to
  non-residents
• A state of the art rooftop gymnasium with panoramic city views
• A decadent jazz bar with live jazz and an excellent menu
• A roof top garden with stunning landscaping, canopies for inclement weather and an external fire
• Six multi-purpose, self contained meeting rooms and events suite with superb facilities for both business meetings and sumptuous weddings completes the picture.

Exterior design for The Merchant Hotel’s New Chapter was undertaken by local conservational architects Consarc, who were behind the original sympathetic refurbishment of the hotel, with interior design provided by O’Donnell O’Neill Design Associates. 

Photo Caption:

Bill Wolsey, Hotel Owner is pictured with Petra Wolsey, Marketing Manager are pictured unveiling the new plans for The Next Chapter of The Merchant Hotel.

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