BELFAST, Northern Ireland– The Merchant, the most desirable hotel in northern Europe’s fastest growing city, Belfast, is adding 38 more luxury rooms and suites to its present number of 26. The New Chapter expansion is expected to be completed by the end of July. A member of the Mantis Group, marketers/managers of five-star hotels and resorts around the world, The Merchant is located in the heart of the historic Cathedral Quarter, once the city’s mercantile center, now its cultural heart, home to art galleries, festivals and performance spaces.
The new, $24-million extension, slated to open in July, was the vision of owner Bill Wolsey, who noted, “The New Chapter has been in development for a number of years with careful consideration afforded to every new element. We have created a landmark that the people of Belfast can take pride in.” Exterior design for the New Chapter was undertaken by local conservation architects, Consarc, who were behind the original sympathetic refurbishment of the hotel. Interiors are being designed by O’Donnell O’Neill Design Associates. Taking its inspiration from the Art Deco period which encapsulates sleek style and cool sophistication, The New Chapter of The Merchant Hotel has a sumptuous yet streamlined elegance of design.
The expansion will incorporate 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, the largest guest rooms available in Belfast at 452 square feet each. When completed, The Merchant will cover an entire city block.
The luxury spa will contain five treatment rooms, a Champagne nail bar, a hydrotherapy area and dining facilities. It will be the first full spa available in Belfast city center and will be open to non-residents. The Jazz Bar will offer live jazz and an excellent menu. The roof top garden will be beautifully landscaped with native plants and outfitted with canopies for inclement weather. Six multi-purpose, self-contained meeting rooms and an events suite with superb facilities are designed for both business meetings and sumptuous weddings.
The generously-proportioned main hotel building designed in Italianate style dates to 1860, and was originally headquarters of the Ulster Bank. Four impressive sculptures below its dome represent science, poetry, sculpture and music. The distinctive architectural exterior is complemented by interiors that are both high design and homey. In its conversion into a hotel, the spacious 21 rooms and five suites, were designed with period furniture, vivid colors and rich fabrics, and named after famous local writers. High ceilings and huge beds add to the feeling of High Victorian romance. The en-suite bathrooms are travertine marble. All accommodations feature high speed wi fi, flat screen TV, and air conditioning.
The Merchant offers a number of dining options and cocktail areas – from The Great Room’s elegant dining experience to the Cloth Ear’s casual but hearty fare to light selections at The Bar or in the Lobby of The Great Room. In 2009, The Bar snagged three world-class awards at the Spirits Awards in New Orleans: World’s Best Hotel Bar, World’s Best Cocktail Menu and World’s Best Drinks Selection, the first time a venue had won three awards at once at this prestigious event. The hotel offers cocktail-making lessons given by am in-house mixologist, so that guests can create these drinks at home.
To ensure that guests’ experience is one of luxury and indulgence, the hotel established more than thirty hallmarks representing the signature elements of their service. As Marketing Manager Petra Wolsey says, “We have hallmarks that relate to everything from how we welcome guests on arrival, to how turndowns must be executed.”
The Merchant will arrange for a VIP transfer from the airport to the hotel in its Bentley Amage. The Bentley and driver are also available for a day of touring with a picnic prepared by the hotel’s chef to include sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, smoked chicken salad, a cheese selection and pastries.
A meetings and dining room that holds up to 40 guests and the hotel’s central location makes The Merchant ideal for corporate planners.
Rates at The Merchant Hotel range from $225 and up per room per night. Suites rates are available from $675* per night. Rates include VAT and full breakfast. For further information, call +44 (0) 2890 234 888; email reservations@themerchanthotel.com; or visit www.themerchanthotel.com or www.mantiscollection.com.
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