Belfast City Council Chief Executive John Walsh has welcomed the new room2 hotel in the city centre as ‘a really welcome addition to Belfast’s already strong hotel and hospitality offer.’
Oakland Holdings, the Belfast based commercial and residential developer behind the ‘Hometel’, handed over the new development to operator room2 and the hotel opened to the public two weeks ago.
The new hotel which has replaced an outdated 1980’s office block on Queen Street, marks a new departure in the hospitality sector for Northern Ireland. With 175-bedrooms across nine floors, as well as a restaurant, bar, tea room and event space, the new room2 Hometel caters for the tourist market as well as the local audience.
Gareth Graham from Oakland Holdings said the development of the Queen Street building has helped to transform Belfast city centre.
“This part of the city has seen rapid redevelopment, including our premier Merchant Square building on Wellington Place. The area is thriving again, and it is no surprise that the Hometel has been fully booked in its first two opening weekends. We’re proud at Oakland to be playing an important part in this transformation.”
On a visit to the new Hometel, John Walsh added: “This is a really welcome addition to Belfast’s already strong hotel and hospitality offer. Tourism is a key driver for our city’s economy – we’ve recognised that in both The Belfast Agenda, and in the game changing Belfast Region City Deal £1bn programme of investment which is helping to create an iconic £100 million new visitor attraction, Belfast Stories.
“Belfast is emerging, once again, as one of the UK’s most exciting cities, thanks to our unique history, chic hotels, fascinating museums, galleries, theatre and public art – and fantastic restaurants and pubs. We’re also currently the only UNESCO City of Music on the island of Ireland and we have big plans for Belfast 2024 – a thrilling citywide cultural programme.
“With stylish new offerings like Room2 coming to fruition, we’re set for tourism and hospitality to give Belfast’s economy an even greater boost.”