Irish hotel group Maldron opens first UK hotel

Parent company Dalata, which launched Maldron Hotels in 2008, is thought to be Ireland’s largest hotel group. It operates 21 hotels in Ireland, ten of which are Maldron brands.

Following a 14-month construction period on the site of the former Central Hotel, the group has opened its 12-storey, 216-bedroom Maldron Cardiff, which marks its first venture in the UK market.

UK expansion​

Founder Pat McCann, the former head of Jurys Doyle, said the company has long-term plans for more hotels in cities across the UK.

“I’m confident that the Maldron Hotel Cardiff will provide a significant boost to the Cardiff economy in terms of tourism and job creation,” he said.

“Strong comparisons can be drawn between Cardiff and Dublin, as it has a thriving leisure market at weekends and a strong corporate market during the week.

“For me the city offers huge potential so it made sense for our first UK development to be there.”

The company says its core strategy is to continue to develop the Maldron brand in both Ireland and the UK.

Parent company Dalata is also developing a portfolio of Partner Hotels, operated under management contract, which currently comprises 11 properties ranging from three to five star establishments.

The new Maldron Cardiff, a three-star hotel, also includes retail and restaurant space on the ground floor which the company is looking to let.

Developed by Rush Developments, with McAleer & Rushe as the main contractor, the property was funded by the Julian Hodge Bank of Cardiff.