Business

Fitzwilliam Hotel celebrates five-star rating from Tourism NI ahead of new £6 million extension

Fitzwilliam reception staff
Fitzwilliam reception staff Fitzwilliam reception staff

THE Fitzwilliam Hotel has become only the second high ranking hostelry in Belfast city centre to be awarded a five-star rating.

Located in Great Victoria Street, the hotel - one of just six in the UK to be included in the 2010 Conde Nast Traveller 'Hot List' of 66 hotels worldwide - was awarded the rating under the Tourism NI accommodation grading scheme.

The only other five-star offering in the city centre is the Merchant Hotel in the Cathedral quarter.

News of the accreditation follows the recent completion of a £2 million refurbishment scheme and planning approval for a new £6m extension to include 30 new bedrooms, roof terrace and luxury spa.

It also answers growing demand for luxury accommodation in the city centre, as cited in the Review of Tourism Accommodation Policy 2015-2020 published last year by the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry (now the Department for the Economy).

The review stated that evidence gathered by the Department pointed to "a lack of 4/5 star hotel accommodation within key tourism areas".

Commenting on the announcement, Fitzwilliam general manger, Cian Landers, said the five-star rating had been down to a concerted team effort.

"Since opening in 2009, the Fitzwilliam Hotel has quickly established itself as the premier hotel in the city which has been in part due to our exceptional location, the quality of our product and the levels of professional service from our team," he said.

The hotel joins a select group of five-star hotels across the north including the Culloden Hotel, Holywood; Merchant Hotel, Belfast; Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen; and Bishop's Gate Hotel in Derry.