£20m luxury hotel and spa gets go-ahead

PLANS for a £20million luxurious, four star resort on the North Coast have been given the green light.

The Merrow Hotel and Spa will be on the coastline in Portstewart and more than 100 jobs could be created at the complex on completion.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council approved the plan, pioneered by C&V Developments Ltd and Interstate Europe Hotels and Resorts.

Vivienne Gilholm, from C&V Developments, said: “A successful outcome for the team would be to create the North Coast’s first luxury seafront hotel and spa.

“A number of experts collaborated on the design to ensure the end result was a destination hotel complex that was sympathetic to its surroundings. With the number of tourists on the increase, we wish to provide accommodation and leisure facilities to meet demand.”

The resort plans to provide 118 rooms, luxury spa with sea views, leisure club, signature cocktail bar, conference space and nine chalets. The resort would be on Ballyreagh Road, adjacent to the start and finish line of the NW200. It would also become the home of the NW200, with the event offices within the grounds. Event director Mervyn Whyte MBE said: “This is a truly exciting proposition for the NW200. The project team plans to develop an administration facility, exhibition space and heritage centre.”

It is hoped groundwork will start in early spring.

ELATED Mervyn Whyte GOING GREEN Artist’s impression of The Merrow in Portstewart ENTRANCE How the hotel should look