BELFAST'S Malone Lodge Hotel has unveiled expansion plans that will see 27 new bedrooms added to the south Belfast destination.
The independently owned hotel, which is marking 25 years in business, is also planning to extend its restaurant.
The growth plans at the Eglantine Avenue hotel are expected to complete next year and create an additional 20 jobs.
Hotel owner Gareth Macklin said it was just the latest in a period of growth for the property.
"Three years ago we extended the hotel and added the new Knife and Forkâ restaurant which has proven extremely popular with hotel guests and local diners along with our 240 seater Deramore suite," he said.
"We have been on the lookout for an opportunity to add to the number of rooms we have and with the acquisition of two adjoining properties, we have the opportunity to develop an additional 27 rooms, bringing our total portfolio up to 138.
"It does amount to a significant investment but we are very confident that as tourism numbers Belfast and Northern Ireland increase, so too will the level of business customers, which is already a strong feature of our customer profile.
"In this era of hotel chains and brand name there is undoubtedly a place for the independent family owned hotel, and that is what has marked out the Malone Lodge since 1991.
"We are very confident about the future of the business and indeed for the future of Belfast as a business and tourism driven city."
