The Hilton Limerick will open its doors on May 4th,it will be the seventh in the franchised chain to open in Ireland.
With 184 bedrooms, 20 of them suites, and the capacity for 15 meeting rooms, the business, leisure and local communities are all interested in what the finished product will yield.
It’s modern look, maximising the flood of daylight through floor to ceiling glass walls, is off-set by Marrakech red walls and brown carpet. Floor and wall tiles are a warm sandstone or marble; chandeliers waterfall in effect.
Under general manager Claire Alderson, a lifelong hotelier who hails from Newcastle -on- Tyne, the deadline for opening is lit by hosting the annual Mayor’s Ball on Friday May 4.
Seven weddings, four conferences, and 100 leisure club memberships, had been contracted by St Patrick’s day.
Ms Alderson spoke of not just the Hilton’s many facilities, but the "vibrant, welcoming city” she found Limerick to be since she moved here last October.
"I have been 15 years with the Hilton Hotels chain and three of our nine general managers in Ireland are women,” said the straight-talking amiable boss of this multi-million investment.
"It is exciting to see the beautiful building emerge from a concrete shell and to be located in this thriving city”.
Ms Alderson referred to many unique points the Hilton Limerick, can offer.External doors to the Shannon Suite open so wide that a car or boat can be launched from within.
Internal partitions can create another three meeting rooms of variable size to complement the existing 12 dedicated meeting rooms on other floors, serviced by a secretarial bureau and every wi-fi IT amenity typical of today’s business centre.
"We can host a sit-down dinner for 400 people and, in the case of dancing or band required, as in a wedding, can cater for up to 350 here,” added Ms Alderson.
A large and experienced food and beverage team make it clear this Hilton intends to cultivate as much social business as possible; casual food will be served until 10pm in the Terrace Bar.
Making the most of its Shannon views, a terrace circles the ballroom, Terrace Bar and Café, and the formal Hilton Restaurant.
This enormous deck, attractively staggered by Lalco, the Irish development company, offers unprecedented views of the river and its bridges by day or night.
The Presidential Suite has a wraparound terrace and barbecue area and presents a majestic photographic backdrop of the city for wedding and promotional shots.
All suites have a private balcony; all bedrooms are serviced by a marble bathroom, air-conditioning, wireless LAN and an electronic minibar.
The LivingWell Health Club has a 20m pool, monsoon showers, family as well as ladies and gents changing rooms and a five-room beauty salon.
