City Hotel, Derry is set to undergo an exciting multi-million pound renovation following a new franchise deal signed with Hilton, and will be rebranded as DoubleTree by Hilton Derry.

The regeneration programme, scheduled to commence in November, will transform the site, with its reopening set for 2025 following an extensive refurbishment. The 158-room hotel features a bar and restaurant, a ballroom, seven meeting rooms, onsite parking, and a wellness club with a swimming pool, positioning it as an ideal destination for both business and leisure travellers looking to experience everything Derry has to offer.

Graham Dodd, Managing Director, Development, UK & Ireland, Hilton, said:

“Our debut in the city marks a significant step in Hilton’s further expansion across Northern Ireland. With rising tourism demand in the region, we’re excited to be working closely with Focus Hotels to introduce the warm hospitality that DoubleTree by Hilton is known for globally, enhancing the city’s appeal as a must-visit destination for domestic and international travellers alike.”

Greg McCartney, Chairperson, City Hotel, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome the global Hilton brand to the city. The new hotel marks an important milestone in the city’s evolution, enhancing its reputation as a key destination for tourism and business.”

City Hotel is set to undergo an exciting multi-million pound renovation
The Roof Top Terrace at the City Hotel overlooking the River Foyle

Derry has not only welcomed one of the world’s leading international brands to its portfolio of top-tier businesses, but Da Vinci’s Hotel on Culmore Road is also embarking on an exciting new chapter, with its ownership changing for the first time since its establishment.

After 23 years of ownership, Garvan O’Doherty has passed the reins to brothers Patrick and Edmund Simpson from Donegal, the proprietors of Belfast’s Lansdowne and Benedicts hotels.

Matt Doherty, Business Development Officer at Visit Derry reports:

“Tourism in the city is in a healthy position with new figures released by NISRA estimating there were 267,000 overnight trips spent in the Derry & Strabane District Council area during 2023. These overnight trips generated 820,148 bed nights and accounted for an estimated £64m spend in the local visitor economy.

The revamp of these hotel groups in Derry, alongside the planned development of the Holiday Inn Express and the introduction of a new city center hotel, will significantly increase the city’s hotel room capacity. This growth not only addresses the rising demand for accommodation but also underscores the immense potential of the hospitality sector within our city.

With a record £1.2 billion visitor spend and 5.4 million overnights trips taken in Northern Ireland in 2023, and with 69% of these visits taken outside of Belfast, the enormous opportunities that exist for the North West are clear.