Two new hotel have opened in Belfast city centre, following a £12m investment by the Andras House hospitality group.

Around 50 new jobs have been created by the firm, owned by Northern Ireland peer Diljit Rana.

Ibis Belfast City Centre was built on the corner of Castle Street and King Street, while Ibis Queens Quarter is situated in the city's University Street.

Lord Rana said both buildings represent a significant vote of confidence for the province's burgeoning tourism sector from franchiser Accor.

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Lord Rana, Chairman and Chief Executive of Andras House, was responsible for securing the international Ibis brand for Northern Ireland.

Andras House built and will operate the hotels under franchise.

"We are proud to be part of Belfast’s regeneration strategy, particularly with the opening of the Ibis Belfast City Centre hotel in Castle Street on 12 November, which has significantly improved a previously dormant and neglected area in the heart of the city."

Jean-Jacques Dessors, Chief Operating Officer for Accor Hospitality UK and Ireland, said Andras House's design team worked with local architects and suppliers to produce two hotels of exceptionally high quality.

"Expansion into Northern Ireland represents a significant move towards our goal of becoming the reference point for economy hotels with quality services at very attractive prices."

The hotels combined will offer a total of 174 bedrooms, with 50 rooms at the Queen’s Quarter 50 rooms and a further 124 at City Centre.

(PR/KMcA)