THE Galgorm Collection is gearing up for the opening of a spa facility at its newly acquired Old Inn in Crawfordsburn.
It is set to open this autumn, and will be a resident-only facility.
And it is also understood that the venue’s Ormeau Road hotel, which is still waiting to pass some planning stages, will be called The Raven, in keeping with the theme used for its Templepatrick property, The Rabbit.
Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston, speaking in the latest edition of NI Chamber of Commerce’s Ambition magazine, said the hotel on the Ormeau Road venue will employ up to 100 staff and will be “for people looking for something different.”
The group is believed to have plans to put a restaurant in the church area of the site, formerly Holy Rosary Church.
The restaurant is expected to become a foodie destination appealing to residents and non-residents in keeping with the Ormeau Road’s growing reputation as a food destination.
The hotel is also expected to have 16 to 18 boutique rooms.
“I do think all our brands are unique and they have their own unique settings,” Mr Johnston told Ambition.
"I believe this venue will attract those people who want a slightly different stay, those who are willing to do research into the property they are staying in,” he said.
The hotel received planning permission in 2019 and Galgorm Group had plans to launch the venue in 2020.
But when the pandemic hit, the company used the time to revamp some of its existing properties.
The company would not confirm when the hotel's construction will progress.
Meanwhile in Antrim, The Rabbit is set to launch its treatment rooms. And in North Down, the Group’s Old Inn site will open a spa.
Galgorm purchased the Old Inn in Crawfordsburn in 2021 and has since invested £1m in the venue.
Mr Johnston said: “The Old Inn is at the start of its journey. We will add a spa this autumn which will be resident-only overlooking Crawfordsburn Country Park.”
At its flagship site, Galgorm, the company is in the throes of a £30m investment, which it will undertake over the next five years.
That project includes a £10m new accommodation offering along with plans to further expand and enhance its thermal spa facilities.
Mr Johnston said: “We are fortunate that Galgorm is situated on a 380 acre estate which gives us the opportunity to further develop our experiences.
"We have a new cycle trail that travels down the River Maine and the new mix of accommodation, as well as developing a wide range of pursuits. We need to add to the infrastructure as the property grows.”
