The owners of Ballycastle's Marine Hotel, located on the Causeway coast in Co. Antrim, have announced that the venue is getting ready to undergo a £1 million expansion and refurbishment.
As reported by The Belfast Telegraph, the overhaul of the hotel, which was closed for more than three years before being acquired by Colum McLornan and Claire Hunter in 2013, will be handled by Ado Architects and will involve the addition of an events suite, hot tub, sushi bar and 12 new bedrooms, bringing the total room count to 43.
Commenting on the venue's re-development, Ado Architects director John Busteed, stated: "From our first meetings with Claire and Colum on site, the potential for the Marine was clear, and as soon as we arrived at the hotel, it was a case of one thing after another almost bowling us over with excitement. There were amazing crashing waves right across the road from the hotel, the sea view from the hotel rooms was stunning, and all this in an almost completely intact historic town centre with local shops and good pubs."
Based on Ballycastle's sights and services, as well as the potential for increased tourism as a result of the Marine's revamp, Busteed expressed his hope that the redevelopment of the hotel will help endow the town with "just as much appeal as the likes of Galway or Cornwall."
