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Andras Hotels appoints McCue to fit-out new Holiday Inn® lobby concept Andras Hotels have appointed local fit-out contractor McCue Crafted Fit to create a new ‘Open Lobby’ at its Holiday Inn at Belfast City Centre. Open Lobby is the new concept from Holiday Inn for the reception, bar and restaurant areas in its hotels. The Holiday Inn®’s new interior will transform the traditional hotel lobby, lounge, bar and restaurant areas creating one open, cohesive space where guests can check-in, dine and blend work and leisure with no barriers. The concept features free Wi-Fi, ‘To Go Café’ for, 24/7 snacks and drinks including Starbucks , a flexible and relaxed dining area with a range of seating options, a media lounge, complete with comfy seating, games, magazines and TV to replace the traditional bar and an E-Bar business centre, this will be a great space to work, hold a meeting or simply relax in comfort.” This new approach to the productive use of hotel space is being rolled out across the entire Holiday Inn® estate across Europe and will be completed in all hotels by the end of 2019. Experiential architects ADS Design who are designing the Belfast project developed the Open Lobby concept in conjunction with Holiday Inn, as a response to the way modern business is conducted today and how leisure time is now enjoyed. Rajesh Rana, Director of Andras Hotels, said: “We are delighted to be starting this £500k investment in the Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre. The Open Lobby is about creating a 360-degree experience for guests as we invite them to use the lobby zone as an active and dynamic environment designed around their needs. “The concept is based around a relaxed, friendly and attentive guest service experience with the warmth of welcome at the heart of the concept. ,” Rajesh continues. “Our most recent prestigious plaudit, which saw our Belfast site awarded Elite Status for the highest possible ranking in the InterContinental Hotels Group, is based mainly on high levels of guest satisfaction. This national recognition reflects the significant effort we have consistently put into attracting, training and retaining the best people for the right jobs. “With this latest half a million-pound investment into our Hope Street Holiday Inn, we are bringing together well-trained and committed staff with a cutting-edge hotel design solely for the comfort and convenience of all our guests. That is our hospitality ethos crystalized. Gary Purdy, Operations Director at McCue Crafted Fit said: “We are honoured to be awarded the contract for this prestigious and high profile contract. We have worked with IHG previously and with our extensive experience in transforming hospitality environments we understand requirement to finish the fit-out to an excellent standard. We believe this project will raise the bar in the city in terms of places to meet and socialise. Andras Hotels was founded in Belfast in 1981 and since then has helped to shape and drive the tourism and hospitality landscape of Belfast. Work on the refurbishment to the Open Lobby concept has just started at Holiday Inn, Hope Street Belfast. Work will be completed at the end of March 2019. Visit www.andrashouse.co.uk for full details.