In a £5 million investment boost for Ballycastle, a 24 bedroom luxury eco hotel has opened for visitors.

With breath-taking views of the wild Atlantic Ocean, The Salthouse is one of the most highly-anticipated hotels to join the market in recent years. Bookings opened at the start of July, just in time for the 148th Open at Royal Portrush next week.

Perched above the quaint sea-side town of Ballycastle, The Salthouse has a unique atmosphere which is designed to connect guests to the outdoors. With its inspiring scenery, and light and airy spaces, it is the perfect place to unwind and discover coastal calm.

The investment saw an exclusive hotel and luxurious spa added to the seven existing self-catering chalets. With a policy of 'no single use plastics', an onsite wind turbine and solar panels, the carbon neutral facility boasts the title of one of the most sustainable and smartest hotels in Europe.

Welcoming guests, Nigel McGarrity, who runs The Salthouse along with his family said they are thrilled to be open for business.

"We're looking forward to welcoming a wide range of visitors from across Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and USA," he commented. "In total, £5 million has been invested to create a unique luxurious, exclusive eco-hotel set in a beautifully landscaped site, with seven self-catering chalets sharing the breath-taking setting.

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"An onsite wind turbine and solar panels have been integrated into the design and the energy that they generate will power the hotel. We are beyond carbon neutral. We also have a 'no single use' plastics policy and the water that services The Salthouse is from its very own borehole."

Nigel added: "We have invested in our tourism product to create 24 stylish, bedrooms and suites that integrate state of the art technology. All of our rooms are SMART, so guests have total control of important features such as lighting, heating and entertainment. This means they can tailor the environment to their own specific needs. A considered design also means that every room has a walk-in shower and boasts views over the countryside, sea or charming central terrace."

The Salthouse provides the ultimate backdrop for unforgettable active adventures, coastal getaways and weekend retreats.

Located on the Dunamallaght Road in Ballycastle, it is approximately a one-hour drive from Belfast and L'Derry and three hours from Dublin, making it accessible for local and international visitors.

Local property developer and partner, Denis McHenry, discussed the potential economic benefits for the area. He said: "With tourist numbers on the rise in the area, The Salthouse hotel which offers high-end accommodation and leisure facilities, as well as restaurant space, makes perfect sense and we're confident it will bring major benefits both to visitors and the local community, alike. We would also like to thank Invest NI for their support.

"A number of experts collaborated on the design and during the construction phase. 50 skilled craftspeople worked full-time to ensure the end result was a sustainable hotel complex. Eco-friendly hotels are all about style, luxury and an authentic escape. Embracing sustainability at every level, this build took green to the next level, from the structural build to the water that guests will consume."

(JG/CM)