Macdonald Hotels, the UKå‘s 8th largest hotel and leisure group, has received the go-ahead from local authorities to proceed with plans for a luxury å£18 million hotel in the heart of Sheffield city centre. The contemporary, four-star plus Macdonald Hotel will form an integral part of Sheffield One and Sheffield Councilå‘s exciting Heart of the City scheme and is set to become one of the cityå‘s landmark properties.

The fully air-conditioned hotel will feature 156 bedrooms, including a number of junior and penthouse suites, a business centre, plus the much anticipated ‘Vital’ Leisure Club and Spa. A stunning single-storey, double-height pavilion will house a variety of restaurants and bars and is expected to become a social and cultural hub in the city centre.

The pavilion will open directly into the Winter Garden, while a touchdown lounge area adjacent to the reception, foyer and main lift lobby will open onto a south facing outside terrace that will link the hotel with the commercial district.

The extensive spa and leisure club, located in the basement, will feature an 18-m swimming pool, together with sauna, steam room and self-contained spa suite incorporating treatment and relaxation areas, plus a state-of-the-art Technogym.
With the ability to accommodate up to 500 delegates, the new Macdonald Hotel will also provide Sheffield with its largest conference venue and is expected to attract high profile events to the city.

Commenting on the proposed development, Donald Macdonald, Chief Executive of Macdonald Hotels plc said, “We are pleased that we can now move ahead with this project. Macdonald Hotels is confident that this new hotel will make a positive contribution to Sheffield, both in providing local residents with new, high quality amenities and in attracting visitors to the city.”
     

Macdonald Hotels operates over 100 hotels and resorts throughout the UK and Spain, with a combined turnover in excess of £250m. The company manages over 7,000 guest rooms and employs around 6,000 people.

In April 2001, Macdonald Hotels formed a 50:50 joint venture with Bank of Scotland to purchase Heritage Hotels at a cost of £235 million. The addition of these 48 properties significantly strengthened Macdonald Hotels’ position in the UK market. The 48 Heritage hotels were an ideal complement to Macdonald Hotels existing portfolio, strengthening the group’s presence in the South of England and ensuring a UK-wide presence. As part of the deal, Macdonald Hotels secured a 10-year management contract for the hotels.

Sheffield One is a partnership of Sheffield City Council, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships. The £130 million Heart of the City project comprises the award-winning Peace Gardens, the Millennium Galleries, the Winter Garden, two office developments, Howden House and Derwent House, the Macdonald Hotel and a commercial scheme consisting of offices, residential and some retail/leisure.

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