McKeever Hotels group reveals plan for further growth 'driven and underpinned by family values' ahead of 40-year anniversary
The McKeever Hotel group, which has six properties in Northern Ireland, has revealed plans to expand further into the Republic of Ireland and also to explore potential in Scotland.
The key priorities for the family-owned hotel group – growth, performance and sustainability – were highlighted in its newly-launched ‘Beyond Now’ five-year strategy.
McKeever Hotels has seven distinctive properties across the Island of Ireland – Dunadry Hotel And Gardens, Antrim; Corr's Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey; Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim; Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena; The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine; Armagh City Hotel and Dillons Hotel in Letterkenny, Donegal.
Building on the positive performance of the last three years, the ambitious plans reflect the World Tourism Organisation’s 2030 vision to enhance the guest journey through sustainability, personalised experiences and technology.
Managing director, Eddie McKeever said: “While our strategy remains growth focused, we want to do so in a way which creates a harmonious balance between success, family values, service excellence and community culture.”
The addition of The Lodge and Armagh City hotels to the group since 2023, takes its turnover to more than £25 million.
McKeevers have outlined their intention to continue to seek further opportunities to expand with the Republic of Ireland and Scotland on the target list.
The growth ambitions are underpinned by a further £3million capital expenditure across its hotels, with the intention of both The Lodge and Armagh City achieving 4-star accreditation by 2027.
"While our current capacity is 480 rooms across seven locations, we aim to increase occupancy levels by around 10 per cent through a combination of competitive pricing, improved guest experience and a new central reservations system,” added Mr McKeever.
The data-driven system will become a central hub for all bookings, enabling smarter pricing, improved profitability and enhanced guest loyalty. It will also help McKeevers to deepen understanding of customer preferences and tailor experiences accordingly.
Quality food and beverage will remain a cornerstone of the McKeever experience, with a newly appointed Group Food & Beverage Executive to lead innovation across all properties. This will be furthered through a centralised purchasing platform to improve efficiencies and cost effectiveness.
The McKeevers will also continue to support and celebrate NI’s agri-food sector with each hotel showcasing its own signature dishes including a distinctive ‘McKeever Breakfast’ experience.
Looking ahead to its 40th anniversary in 2026, Mr McKeever added: “Our strategy sets out a clear path for continued growth, innovation and community impact. By 2030 we have the potential to employ 600 people with a group turnover of £45m, all of which will be driven and underpinned by the family values that have successfully defined the brand for the past four decades.”