The lakeside Rabbit Hotel & Retreat was the idyllic setting for one of Hanna Mechanical’s most prestigious recent projects. Following a £10m investment by owners, the Galgorm Group, has transformed the former Templeton Hotel into a chic, boutique hotel and spa.
The Carryduff mechanical services specialist was responsible for the refurbishment of all 33 hotel bedrooms and the old function room, which is now a fabulous banqueting suite and wedding venue known as, The Loft.
Works included stripping out all existing pipework back to the plantroom. New heating, plumbing and wastes were installed to each bedroom and ensuite including communal areas, with local ventilation to each ensuite.
Radiators in the old function room were stripped out, and a new air conditioning installed in the roof space. This was connected to grilles in the very high vaulted ceilings, providing hot and cold air to the newly refurbished banquet room.
With its vaulted ceilings, chandeliers adorned with foliage, marble dining tables, dramatic fireplaces and a stunning romantic lake view from the spacious outdoor terrace, the fairy-tale setting is the ideal backdrop for a picture-perfect wedding day.
Commenting on the project, Rod Russell from Hanna Mechanical said, “Refurbishment projects are more challenging than new-builds. Until you strip everything back, you don’t really know what you are going to be facing. But, for a project this size, it went very well.”
On site for just one week before the first Covid-19 lockdown, the six-week closure was an unavoidable challenge for Hanna Mechanical. “The lockdown and the inevitable working restrictions that we faced when back on site did slow the process slightly. But again, this was managed brilliantly by the main contractor, Hugh J O’Boyle, who worked closely with us and all subcontractors on site. They were very helpful.”
Galgorm is renowned for creating world-class hospitality experiences throughout their award-winning properties in Northern Ireland. Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort has received numerous awards and accolades for their stellar service and offering, including receiving the Four AA Red Star Award for excellence in quality and hospitality last year, as well as previously holding the coveted title of Global Luxury Spa Hotel of the Year.
Perched by the edge of a stunning lake, the Rabbit Hotel’s spa area offers total tranquility and boasts unique attractions including Swedish saunas, an aromatherapy steam room, halotherapy salt chamber and Roman inspired baths and hot tubs. The Rabbit is also the first hotel in the island of Ireland to offer a heated lakeside beach complete with a Lake Bar, sunken lounge and plush cabanas for a laid back, luxurious experience.
“This is a prestigious project for us to be involved with,” said Rod. “One that we are proud to have been involved with and we are delighted to include it in our portfolio. It really is a unique hotel and spa.”
Project Team:
Client: Galgorm Group
Main Contractor: Hugh J O’Boyle
Architect: Cheah Rothe
Contracts Manager: Rod Russell
Mechanical Contractor: Hanna Mechanical
Mechanical Consultant: Bennett Freehill
Hanna Mechanical Services
Emerson House, 14B Ballynahinch Road, Carryduff, Belfast BT8 8DN
T: +44 (0)28 9081 7841 – E: info@hannamechanical.com
www.hannamechanical.com
Whitehouse Engineering Ltd.
T: +44 (0)28 9084 8311
E: info@whitehouse-eng.com
www.whitehouse-eng.com
BSS Pipeline and Heating Solutions
T: +44 (0)28 9078 4000
www.bssindustrial.co.uk
MEF
T: +44 (0)28 258 22877
E: salesni@mef.co.uk
www.mef.co.uk
Heatboss
T: +44 (0)28 9422 8141
Mob: +44 (0)7968 809557
E-mail: info@heatboss.co.uk
www.heatboss.co.uk
For the full case study, see our latest issue below:
Ireland’s Plumbing & Heating Magazine Issue 107
