Premier Inn Lands at Belfast International Airport
Travelers flying in and out of Belfast International Airport are about to get a new place to crash. Whitbread, the company behind Premier Inn, is rolling out an 81-room hotel right next to the airport. You won't have to wait too long either—work kicks off in 2025 and they're shooting to throw open the doors in 2026.
It's not just about a spot to sleep. The new Premier Inn promises much more: think a stylish on-site restaurant and a relaxed bar, plus 125 parking spaces so you don't have to stress about where to leave your car. For anyone worried about accessibility, they've included seven accessible parking spots and improved pedestrian paths, complete with textured paving. And because location matters, this hotel sits conveniently beside the long-stay car park, just a quick stroll from the terminal.
Premier Inn knows a thing or two about balancing quality and price. That mix is what they've built their brand on, and they're betting it'll be a hit with the airport’s six million passengers each year. The new hotel comes thanks to a partnership with JHT Hotels Limited, which is part of development heavyweight J H Turkington and Sons. So, it’s not just a Premier Inn—it’s a brand investment that ties in local expertise with national muscle.
Whitbread’s Expansion Ambitions and Regional Impact
This Belfast project isn’t just a one-off. Since September 2024, Whitbread has signed deals to plant Premier Inns at Manchester and Edinburgh Airports too, making the Premier Inn a fixture for UK travelers on the move. Altogether, these airport hotels are part of a much bigger target: boosting Whitbread’s UK and Ireland room count from 85,500 to 125,000. That’s a lot of pillows to fluff.
Money-wise, the numbers stack up. The Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council gave the £5.5 million development the green light last November, and Whitbread’s lease investments for the project climb to £6 million. But it’s not just about cash—it’s about jobs, too. The hotel aims to create around 30 permanent jobs, from reception to cleaning to kitchen staff. It’ll also need 30 more workers during the build, bringing opportunities for local trades and contractors over the 12 months it’ll take to finish.
Whitbread already runs seven hotels across Northern Ireland, but this move shows it’s doubling down. With travel bouncing back, the demand for affordable, quality rooms near major hubs is heating up. By setting up right at Belfast International, Premier Inn is making itself a no-brainer pick for travelers—whether they’re catching red-eyes, picking up relatives, or just want to dodge Belfast’s city traffic before an early flight. The project signals a clear intent: Whitbread isn’t just playing catch-up; it’s making sure its beds are ready wherever people might need them.
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