£5m Ballycastle Hotel Set To Open

A luxury 24 bedroom eco-hotel in Ballycastle is set to open just in time for the 148th Open Golf Championship in July.

£5 million has been invested in The Salthouse complex, which features an exclusive hotel, luxurious spa and breath-taking views of the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Run by husband and wife team Nigel and Joann McGarrity and their son and daughter, Carl and Emma McGarrity, it's set to be one of the most sustainable and 'smartest' hotels in Ireland and Europe.

Located on the same site as seven existing self-catering chalets, The Salthouse will provide valuable employment for 45 people, as well as expanding leisure and hospitality services along the North Coast, which was named as the Lonely Planet's number one region to visit in 2018.

Perched above the quaint sea-side town of Ballycastle, its unique atmosphere is designed to connect guests to the outdoors. With inspiring scenery and light and airy spaces, it's the perfect place to unwind and discover coastal calm.

Both the interior and the exterior of The Salthouse embraces its stunning location and successfully mixes tradition and nature by using materials associated with the region, namely salt.

Discussing the investment, Nigel McGarrity from The Salthouse said: "We are thrilled to be on the cusp of opening The Salthouse and we're looking forward to welcoming a wide range of visitors from across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and USA. In total, £5 million has been invested to create a unique luxurious, exclusive eco-hotel set in a beautifully landscaped site, with seven self-catering chalets sharing the breath-taking setting.

"An onsite wind turbine and solar panels have been integrated into the design and the energy that they generate will power the hotel. We are beyond carbon neutral. We also have a 'no single use' plastics policy and the water that services The Salthouse is from its very own borehole."

Nigel added: "We have invested in our tourism product to create 24 stylish, bedrooms and suites that integrate state of the art technology. All of our rooms are SMART, so guests have total control of important features such as lighting, heating and entertainment. This means they can tailor the environment to their own specific needs. A considered design also means that every room has a walk-in shower and boasts views over the countryside, sea or charming central terrace."

The Salthouse will provide the ultimate backdrop for unforgettable active adventures, coastal getaways and weekend retreats. Commenting on the facilities and location Carl McGarrity said: "Food and drink is a key part of an escape and The Salthouse Bar and Restaurant offers ocean view dining, while our menus embrace the essence of our location using the finest, locally sourced ingredients such as freshly caught seafood direct from the pier.

"For guests seeking to destress, The Salthouse Spa is serenity personified. A sauna, steam room, treatment rooms and two outdoor hot tubs with an ocean view are designed for intense relaxation. We believe we have found the ideal location to create a luxurious escape. For those who prefer to dabble in activities during a peaceful stay, we will encourage visitors to try their hand at paddle boarding, kayaking, diving, golf or bird watching."

Located on Dunamallaght Road in Ballycastle, it is approximately a one-hour drive from Belfast and L'Derry, and three hours from Dublin, which makes it very accessible for both local and international visitors. The Giant's Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations are only a short drive away, while some of the top golf courses and fishing venues are nearby.

Local property developer and partner, Denis McHenry, discussed the potential economic benefits this project could bring to the area: "We are really excited to bring The Salthouse to Ballycastle. With tourist numbers on the rise in the area, the addition of a hotel which offers high-end accommodation and leisure facilities, as well as restaurant space, makes perfect sense and we're confident the proposed development will bring major benefits both to visitors and the local community, alike. We would also like to thank Invest NI for their support.

"A number of experts collaborated on the design and during the construction phase 50 skilled craftspeople worked full-time to ensure the end result was a sustainable hotel complex. These new eco-friendly hotels are all about style, luxury and an authentic escape. Embracing sustainability at every level, this build takes being green to the next level, from the structural build to the water that will be consumed by guests."

There are 45 job vacancies at the new facility, including roles in catering, reception, housekeeping, beauty therapy and managerial positions. For further information on The Salthouse, log onto www.thesalthousehotel.com or for information on careers email careers@thesalthousehotel.com.



(JG/CM)