Dalata, Ireland's largest hotel group, has just agreed to buy the Holiday Inn Belfast; the second hotel it will operate in the city where it already runs the Maldron Hotel Belfast at Belfast International Airport.

The group plans to rebrand the Holiday Inn as a Clayton Hotel, probably by the end of the year. It is rolling out the Clayton Hotels brand across 13 of its properties following the group’s purchase of  Clayton Hotel in Galway earlier this year.

The Holiday Inn Belfast is a four-star, 170-bedroom hotel with a restaurant and bar and leisure facilities.  The ground floor Olympic Ballroom will seat up to 600 delegates for a theatre style meeting and the second floor Academy Conference and Training Centre with nine seminar and boardrooms will accommodate between 20 and 120 delegates. The hotel is located in Ormeau Avenue in the heart of Belfast.

Details: www.hibelfasthotel.co.uk

An Easter 2015 opening is planned for the Epic Aparthotel in Duke Street, Liverpool.

Epic Apart Hotel and Serviced Apartments in Liverpool is converting the property in the city’s Ropewalks area into 17 serviced apartments and two mezzanine studios. The property had been derelict for the last 31 years.

When complete the Epic Aparthotel in Duke Street will join the group’s other two properties: Epic Aparthotel in Seel Street and Epic Serviced Apartments in Campbell Street, both in central Liverpool.

Epic apartments include studios and one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Each includes a fully equipped kitchen plus an open plan lounge and bedroom. Wi-fi is complimentary throughout.

Details: www.epicliverpool.co.uk

Hampton by Hilton Newcastle has just opened with 160 bedrooms, opposite Newcastle Central station.

Bedrooms at Hampton by Hilton Newcastle are modern and stylish, equipped with free wi-fi, a large desk, a portable lap desk and an in-room safe. Each bathroom features a large walk-in shower.

Hampton by Hilton Newcastle offers the brand-standard hot breakfast included in the room rate. The hotel has a 24-hour bar/lounge area serving light meals and a free 24-hour residents’ fitness room and free wi-fi throughout.

Hampton by Hilton Newcastle is located in the heart of the city just north of the River Tyne within walking distance of 'corporate' Newcastle, the Metro Arena, the Sage Gateshead and Newcastle United Football Club’s St James’ Park.

Details:   www.hamptoninn3.hilton.com


Edinburgh St. James Hotel is a new hotel planned as the centrepiece of the new £850million Edinburgh St James scheme in the centre of Edinburgh. The hotel is set to make its mark on the Edinburgh skyline. Images just released show the hotel wrapped in ribbons of bronze cladding. The new development is set to replace the existing St James Centre at the east end of Princes Street.

The 210-bedroom Edinburgh St. James Hotel will feature a top-floor bar, restaurant and lounge with views across the city.

Building work is expected to start later in 2015 with the overall scheme complete by 2020. No hotel operator has yet been named for the development.

Details: www.edinburghstjames.com


Mercure London Heathrow Hotel has opened. Formerly the Comfort Hotel Heathrow, the hotel has just completed a multi-million pound transformation.

Mercure London Heathrow Hotel has 184 newly refurbished, contemporary bedrooms in three room categories: standard, superior and privilege rooms – all air-conditioned. Each room includes a flat-screen television with satellite channels, an en-suite Grohe bath/ rain shower, a mini fridge, a laptop safe, a hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities. ‘Borders’ is the hotel restaurant and bar.

Mercure London Heathrow Hotel has five renovated meeting rooms with the largest seating up to 200 delegates theatre style; a room which will subdivide into three equal-sized sections. Facilities include free wi-fi access, climate control and natural daylight.

Mercure London Heathrow Hotel is located in Shepiston Lane just off the M4 at junction 4. There is a Hoppa shuttle service to all Heathrow terminals. It is a 15 minute walk to Hayes and Harlington station or five minutes in a taxi. The hotel has a private car park which is chargeable.

Details: www.mercure.com