Yotel to open £17m Belfast hotel

Yotel has confirmed they’ll be opening their first hotel in Belfast – as they look to expand across Europe.

Plans submitted to Belfast City Council highlight their desire to deliver a 165-bed hotel totalling £17m of investment. The hotel is outlined to open in 2026 if planning is secured and works are on time.

The newly built hotel is to be situated in the city centre at Shaftesbury Square. The hotel will also include F&B, a fitness centre and meeting room alongside public spaces.

Rohan Thakkar, Chief Development Officer for Yotel, said:

“We are delighted to bring Yotel to Belfast, a city that shares our unwavering passion for innovation and creativity. Yotel Belfast marks an exciting step forward in our global franchise strategy and strengthens our portfolio as the 35th signed hotel, bringing our total key count to nearly 8,000. We are thrilled to partner with Andras Hotels, one of the leading and largest operators in the region.”

Rajesh Rana, Director of Andras Hotels, added: “We are excited to be bringing forward this project on a landmark site in the city. The investment of £17 million will provide a modern accommodation option for global travellers and create high quality jobs for the community, establishing the hotel as a major asset to the growing tourism market in Belfast. The development will play an important role in transforming Shaftesbury Square, providing physical regeneration and bringing visitors to this important area. Our architects have done a wonderful job of designing a building that is modern but sits comfortably with the local context. We are now embarking on the planning process and consulting with community groups before beginning development in 2025.”