Yotel to expand into Northern Ireland

Yotel is set to open its first Northern Irish hotel in Belfast in late 2026 as eyes further expansion across the UK and Ireland.

The 165-room, new-build hotel will be located in Shaftesbury Square and feature the brand’s signature reclining smart beds and rain showers.

Guests will be able to make use of meeting rooms, a 24/7 fitness centre and upcoming restaurant.

It will be Yotel’s eighth UK property, following the launch of the brand’s first aparthotel concept, Yotelpad, in London’s Stratford.

The Belfast Yotel is currently in the planning stages with Belfast City Council and will undergo further consultation with community groups prior to development in 2025.

Rohan Thakkar, chief development officer at  Yotel, said: “Yotel Belfast marks an exciting step forward in our global franchise strategy and strengthens our portfolio as the 35th signed hotel, bringing our total key count to nearly 8,000."

Yotel is partnering with Andras Hotels to operate the property following a £17m investment.

Yotel was created by Yo! founder Simon Woodroffe in 2002 and opened its first property at Gatwick airport in 2007. It now operates 23 properties across the globe under its Yotel, Yotelpad and Yotelair brands.

Its major shareholders include a controlled affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, the Talal Jassim Al-Bahar Group, United Investment Portugal, and Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT).

Photo provided by Yotel