August 2010 is the month of the grand unveiling of the ‘New Chapter’ in the Merchant Hotel.

The five star establishment, set in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, will open to huge fanfare as it reveals the £16million extension incorporating a new luxury spa, decadent jazz bar, roof top garden, new conference and event facilities, a state of the art gymnasium and 38 new bedrooms at 42m².

The impressive development which is in the final stages of completion is set to further transform the historical Cathedral Quarter in Belfast city centre with The Merchant Hotel now occupying an entire city block from Waring Street, through Skipper Street and High Street.

The expansive extension is part of The Merchant Hotel’s owner Bill Wolsey’s long term vision for
the ground-breaking luxury hotel.   Ahead of August’s grand opening, he commented: “I am delighted to see another part of my vision for The Merchant Hotel being realised and in the final stages of completion.   The New Chapter has been in development for a number of years with careful consideration afforded to absolutely every new element.  We have created a landmark that the people of Belfast can continue to be take pride in.”

“The innovative facilities will allow us to further grow our profile as an international standard bearer for Northern Ireland’s tourism and hospitality industry.  It is due to the hard work and dedication of our team that today The Merchant has an internationally acclaimed reputation alongside the world’s most respected hotels and a guest experience that is second to none in Northern Ireland.  We have much to look forward to with the completion of the New Chapter in August.” 

New elements of The Merchant Hotel’s £16million New Chapter include:

• 38 new bedrooms. These will be the largest guest rooms available in Belfast (42m² minimum)
• A luxury spa with five treatment rooms, a Champagne nail bar, a hydrotherapy area and excellent dining facilities. This will be the first full spa available in Belfast city centre and will be open to
• non-residents
• A state of the art rooftop gymnasium with panoramic city views and outdoor hot tub
• A decadent jazz bar with live jazz and an excellent menu
• A roof top garden with stunning landscaping, canopies for inclement weather and an external fire
• Six multi-purpose, self contained meeting rooms and events suite with superb facilities including Intelligent Air Purification System  and a mood matching Colour Psychology Lighting System, both designed to maximise delegates’ attention and productivity for both business meetings and sumptuous weddings completes the picture

Exterior design for The Merchant Hotel’s New Chapter was undertaken by local conservational architects Consarc, who were behind the original sympathetic refurbishment of the hotel, with interior design provided by O’Donnell O’Neill Design Associates.