Ulster Bank backs new 83-bed Portrush Hotel in time for The Open

A new 83-bed hotel on the north coast has been backed by £7 million by Ulster Bank.

The Marcus Hotel Portrush is being developed by Andras House and will be operated under the Hilton franchise.

It’s the operator’s largest investment outside Belfast will be the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton Hotel on the island of Ireland.

Construction of the hotel is ongoing and is expected to be completed by 2025 in time for The Open, which returns to Royal Portrush next year.

Andras is one of the largest hotel operators in Northern Ireland, with over 1,000 beds across its Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre, Holiday Inn Express, three ibis Hotels, the Crowne Plaza, Hampton by Hilton Hotel in the city’s Hope Street, and Cordia Serviced Apartments.

Rajesh Rana, Director at Andras House, welcomed the investment, which totals £11 million.

“This is a strategically important investment for Andras House and a continuation of our thriving relationship with Ulster Bank,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the successes of our developments in Belfast and it represents an important milestone for the future of the company too.

“As visitors flock to the North Coast we see great opportunity to extend our reach and offer the same high-quality hospitality experience regionally.”

Richard Lusty, Relationship Director at Ulster Bank, said Andras House has been a cornerstone of the hospitality sector in Belfast for decades and has contributed significantly to the advancement of the city’s tourism offering.

“Its latest investment is the culmination of over 40 years of industry expertise applied to the scenic North Coast which will serve as an important economic driver for the area, creating new jobs and further strengthening its domestic and international appeal.”