Eco hotel The Salthouse is set to open in Ballycastle in July, bringing 45 jobs to the region.
It’s a luxury 24 bedroom hotel with views of the wild Atlantic Ocean.
Around £5 million has been invested in the hotel and spa. Run by husband and wife team Nigel and Joann McGarrity and their son and daughter, Carl and Emma McGarrity, The Salthouse is one of the most sustainable and ‘smartest’ hotels in Europe.
Located on the same site as seven existing, self-catering chalets, The Salthouse will provide 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.
The Salthouse has a unique atmosphere which is designed to connect guests to the outdoors. With its inspiring scenery, and light and airy spaces, it is the perfect place to unwind and discover coastal calm.
Both the interior and the exterior successfully mixes tradition and nature by using salt associated with the region
Discussing the investment, Nigel McGarrity from The Salthouse said they are looking forward to welcoming a range of visitors from around the world.
“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,” he said.
Nigel said all the 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,” he added.
The Salthouse will provide the ultimate backdrop for active adventures, coastal getaways and weekend retreats.
Carl said food and drink is a key part of an escape and The Salthouse Bar and Restaurant offers ocean view dining.
“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,” he added.
The Salthouse, located on Dunamallaght Road in Ballycastle, is approximately a one-hour drive from Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, and three hours from Dublin. The Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones filming locations and golf courses are only a short drive away.
Local property developer and partner, Denis McHenry, said with tourist numbers on the rise in the area, the addition of a hotel makes perfect sense.
“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,” he added.
The Salthouse team has also worked with a raft of local suppliers to create this stunning hotel and would like to thank Ballycastle Homecare who managed the installation of the en-suite bathrooms and tiles; BHC distributors who supplied the solar panels and iBMS who not only designed, but supplied and installed the smart controls for the rooms.
The Salthouse is currently recruiting for 45 new jobs in various disciplines including; catering, reception, housekeeping, managerial and beauty therapist roles. For further information on The Salthouse, log onto www.thesalthousehotel.com or for information on career opportunities email careers@thesalthousehotel.com.