£5m makeover unveiled at Holiday Inn Express
NI-based Andras Hotels has just completed a £5m three-year investment programme at the Holiday Inn Express in Belfast with the unveiling of a brand new lobby.
The Queen’s Quarter property, which has been owned and operated by the group since 1996, has seen the introduction of a ‘New Generation Concept’ in all its public areas and guest bedrooms.
The concept was put together by local interiors firm, Philip Rodgers Design, and installed by local contractor McCue Fit. It reflects the new approach taken by Holiday Inn Express to public areas, offering guests ergonomic and open plan spaces with access to smart technologies throughout their stay.
The new look was modelled entirely on guest insight and developed to meet the changing needs of today’s cannier travellers. It features a bright and relaxed décor with an open-plan front desk area and the Express Café & Bar for food on the go.
The investment also included a 60-bedroom extension to the hotel featuring the new generation bedroom prototype including noise-cancelling headboards, black out curtains, USB ports and an innovative flexible rest/work area in each room.
Director of Andras Hotels, Rajesh Rana, says that the past six months have been ‘a huge challenge’ for the group and the wider industry, but he adds: ‘We have done all that we can to plan for a strong future and have used that down-time constructively.
‘We are ready to welcome the next generation of traveller to our fantastic, newly revamped Holiday Inn Express, and I want to personally thank the team for their loyalty and dedication which has allowed us to get to this point in our journey.”
Holiday Inn Express is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and is its fastest-growing brand with 2,800 properties globally.
Andras Hotels has a 39-year history in Belfast. It currently operates six internationally branded hotels – Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Ibis Queens Quarter, Ibis City Centre and Hampton by Hilton as well as the serviced Cordia apartments. It now has more than 1,000 beds in the city.
