‘Smart’ hotel opens £400k spa with 14 jobs created

A BALLYCASTLE establishment dubbed NI’s ‘smartest’ hotel has opened a £400,000 spa facility, creating 14 jobs.

The Salthouse launched the facility just months after opening what is one of the country’s most sustainable and eco-friendly hotels.

The new spa will add another eco-friendly dimension to the £5m property complex by offering guests the opportunity to indulge in a range of treatments in one of three treatment rooms and a new thermal suite.

An aromatherapy steam room and four heated daybeds are also part of the new offering at The Salthouse, while external hot tubs and a sauna with views of Rathlin Island and Scotland add to the package.

All therapists at the spa have been trained by organic beauty brand Voya.

The spa, run by the McGarrity family, is in keeping with the rest of the venue and is completely powered by renewable energy.

Carl McGarrity, from The Salthouse, said: “The hotel is now a complete package that invites guests to discover coastal calm and couple it with a well-deserved relaxing break that can be highlighted by one of

Emma, Nigel, Joann and Carl McGarrity outside The Salthouse in Ballycastle

many spa treatments. It is a welcome and complementary addition to our existing offering and it keeps our sustainable theme strong by using solar and wind power combined with air source heat pumps.”

The spa opening comes just months after The Salthouse wowed visitors to the north coast when it opened in July after a £5m investment.

The 24-bed eco hotel introduced a new hospitality concept to visitors to the area and stayca

tioners by operating solely on renewable energy and using a mix of local materials for construction. An on-site wind turbine and solar panels have become part of the design of the venue, while promoting its carbon-neutral credentials, and SMART rooms have the latest technology and allow guests total control of all features including lighting and heating.

Mr McGarrity says The Salthouse has a lot more to offer with more plans in the pipeline.