Plan for NI’s first floating hotel gets green light

Plan for NI’s first floating hotel gets green light

Northern Ireland is set to get its first ever floating hotel on a huge barge at the Cranagh Marina Complex in Coleraine.

The venue, which will boast 36 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant and conferencing and function facilities, is expected to create 50 hospitality jobs on completion.

Seamus Carey, owner of Cranagh Marina Complex, who is bringing the barge over from Norway, said: “We are delighted to receive approval for what will be a completely new facility on the island of Ireland.

“We are in a very unique situation, being the only business on this island that can do this. The port of Coleraine remains open and the Bann has no bridges or locks in the way which therefore makes a project like this both viable and attractive.

“We are also excited about the opportunity this project will present to Coleraine and the Bann Valley. We believe it will revitalise the environs and improve and facilitate connections between the area, including Inishowen and Scotland not to mention the economic impact that will be felt by residents and surrounding businesses.”

Seamus Carey is bringing a barge over from Norway to be converted into a four-star hotel  

“The Cranagh has seen a steady increase in visitors over the last number of years and has become a destination on the north coast offering excellent facilities for the entire family. Since 2016 we have won several tourism and visitor attraction awards and have been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2017.

“We believe the floating hotel will enhance our offering and enable visitors to stay and enjoy not only the facilities at The Cranagh but all the wonderful offerings of the north coast.”

‘Wonderful destination’

Rob Skelly, who runs the The Cranagh Activity Centre, added: “This is a really exciting time for us. Prior to the lockdown we were recording record numbers of visitors and were thrilled with the success of the Activity Centre, restaurant and cabins. We will also be announcing a number of exciting new developments at The Cranagh in the near future and this will undoubtedly further increase the profile of this wonderful destination.”

While the initial plans for the floating hotel don’t extend beyond accommodation and restaurant facilities, Mr Skelly said there was also the possibility of redeveloping the whole Cranagh site.

“This is a very exciting time for Cranagh Marina Complex,” he added.

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