IRELAND'S first solar-powered hotel and spa complex will open in Ballycastle in July in a multi million-pound investment which will create 45 jobs.
The Salthouse, a luxury 24-bed eco hotel on the Dunamallaght Road, is a joint venture between Nigel McGarrity and north coast property developer Denis McHenry, and will check in its first guests in time for The Open at Royal Portrush from July 18-21.
Run by husband and wife team Nigel and Joann McGarrity and their son and daughter Carl and Emma, it is understood it be one of the most sustainable and 'smartest' hotels anywhere in the UK.
Located on the same site as seven existing self-catering chalets, The Salthouse claims to embrace its stunning location and successfully mix tradition and nature by using materials associated with the region, namely salt.
Its owners hosted a recruitment day last week to fill a range of roles including key kitchen positions, food and beverage staff, front-of-house posts and even a spa therapist.
It is understood that Invest NI, which is supporting the innovative facility, is due to make an announcement on the project on June 13.
With their power output and energy costs often hugely dependent on the number of guests, energy efficiency is a constant priority for hotels, and it is thought The Salthouse will utilise some of the most cutting-edge solutions currently available in the hospitality sector.
It is among more than a dozen hotels outside Belfast which are in varying stages of concept, planning and development, but which are all due to complete by next Christmas.
These include the 159-bedroom Duddy Group hotel in Derry, the Londonderry Arms scheme in Portrush (87 rooms) being developed by the Andras Group, and a new Premier Inn at Belfast International Airport undertaken by Moorefield Construction.
The four-store Killeavy Castle Hotel will open in July with 46 rooms, there'll be 85 rooms in a new Premier Inn under construction in Bangor, while Ballymena's Leighmor hotel is adding 12 rooms.
They will contribute to taking the wider hotel rooms stock in Northern Ireland to 10,000 rooms by 2020.
