New £8m hotel opens in Leicester

A brand new 115-bedroom Ramada Encore hotel has opened its doors in Leicester this week following an £8m investment.

The landmark seven-storey building on Charles Street, formerly the Leicester headquarters of insurance company Norwich Union, has undergone a complete overhaul creating 35 new full and part-time jobs in the city.

A total of £8m has been invested by the building owner and local businessman Indi Johal and the three star hotel will be operated by Akkeron Hotels Group under the Ramada Encore brand.

"We are exceptionally happy with how the hotel has turned out," commented general manager Henrik Jespersen. "Located next to Curve Theatre, it offers an upper-end, budget hotel and we are sure it will benefit the up and coming cultural quarter of the city."

All of the 95 double and 20 twin bedrooms, seven with full disabled access, are fitted with flat-screen TVs, free wi-fi and hard-line internet access, contemporary furnishings and en-suite wet rooms.

"There was a gap in the market for us in Leicester, the design and quality of the bedrooms is unique to anything in the city already," added Mr Jespersen.

In addition to the 115 bedrooms, two meeting rooms with flexible space are also available for corporate and business customers, with capacity for up to 60 delegates in a theatre-style meeting, or 18 in a boardroom meeting.

"We are very excited about the new offering. The fit out has been designed around our customers' needs," said sales manager Katie Edge. "Whether it's locals arranging a business meeting, visitors staying here on a business trip, or leisure visitors to the area's tourist attractions and sporting venues, we wanted to provide contemporary accommodation and great value for money. The new design provides outstanding flexibility and quality, catering for all types of guest."

The hotel incorporates an all-day restaurant and bar, open to residents and non-residents, called The Hub and includes a ground-floor Costa Coffee with access from Halford Street as well as from the hotel lobby.

Nightly rates at the hotel start from £59 during the weekends and £69 Monday to Thursday. Bookings can be made with Akkeron at www.akkeronhotels.com or call reservations on 0844 855 9141.