ANDRAS Hotels has completed a full lobby upgrade at its Holiday Inn Express property at Queen's Quarter in Belfast in the culmination of a three-year £5 million investment programme.
The 'new generation concept' was designed by interior design Philip Rodgers Design and installed by local contractor McCue Fit, and continues the modern, ergonomic, open-plan, innovative design style while also offering smart technological solutions for guests at every stage of their stay.
This is the new global model from the Holiday Inn Express brand for the reception, bar and dining areas in its hotels, creating a new approach to how its public areas can look, feel and function.
The concept was modelled entirely on guest insight and developed with industry-leading experts to meet the changing needs of travellers who appreciate functional and thoughtful design tied in with an efficient and friendly service.
The investment included a 60-bedroom extension to the hotel featuring the new generation bedroom prototype, which feature, noise cancelling headboards; black out curtains, USB ports and an innovative flexible rest/work area in each room.
Holiday Inn Express is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and is their fastest growing brand, with 2,800 properties globally.
Andras Hotels director Rajesh Rana said: “This past six months have been a huge challenge for us and indeed for the entire industry, but we've done all we can to plan for a strong future and have used that down-time constructively.
“We are fully committed to our on-going investment programme and will plan to continue with this over the coming months and years, to allow us to continue to welcome business and leisure travellers to our hotels.
“Over the past 21 years we have fostered an excellent partner relationship with IHG, and as well as Holiday Inn Express we operate two more of its branded hotels in Belfast - Holiday Inn in Belfast city centre and Crowne Plaza Hotel at Shaw’s Bridge.
“We are ready to welcome the next generation of traveller to our newly revamped Holiday Inn Express, and I want to personally thank the team for their loyalty and dedication which has allowed us to get to this point in our journey.”
Gary Purdy, operations director at McCue Fit, said: “We were delighted to be involved in the upgrade of the lobby at Holiday Inn Express. Having worked with major hotel brands across the UK for the past couple of decades, it was pleasing to be working closer to home on this project.”
