THE new owners of one of the north's oldest country house hotels have announced ambitious plans to make it the number one four-star venue in Northern Ireland.
The Beech Hill Hotel in Derry was taken over by Irish group, The House Collection last month, after over two decades under the stewardship of the O’Kane and Donnelly families.
Now, with experienced entrepreneurs; Sam Harding, Barry Kemp and Adam Kemp at the helm, they have set about breathing new life into the hotel, favoured by the likes of Bill Clinton and Ed Sheeran.
Speaking about future plans, Barry Kemp outlined the group's vision for The Beech Hill.
"Our goal is to become the best four-star hotel in Northern Ireland, and we want to personally welcome the people of the northwest to the Beech Hill to experience our new menu’s and enjoy the comfortable surroundings of the historic house," he said.
“Our future plans include showcasing Beech Hill as a unique wedding venue with phenomenal photo opportunities. With a chapel nearby alongside stunning indoor and outdoor facilities, we can provide guests with a memorable day in one location. We also want to celebrate the provenance of food heritage here in the north west so we’re also updating our fine and casual dining experiences to reflect the produce we grow and source locally."
To date The House Collection has created five new jobs at the hotel, but has pledged that this number will increase over the next year as it implements growth plans at the 32-acre Ardmore estate.
Stephen Comer, senior business manager at First Trust Bank, who supported the The House Collection's acquisition added:
"With a focus on quality, provenance and customer service, we see the massive potential of the hotel under the ownership of three dynamic, hospitality professionals, who bring a new energy and life to the area.
"The team’s passion for hospitality excellence and ambitious plans for the hotel are exciting and we look forward to supporting them on this journey.”
The Beech Hill Hotel boasts a rich 400-year history, which includes roles in the Plantation of Ulster, the 1641 Rebellion and the Siege of Derry in 1689. The venue has also played host to former US President, Bill Clinton, who ranked it as his favourite place to stay in Ireland, as well as musicians U2 and Ed Sheeran.
