Ireland: Locke has opened a new aparthotel in Dublin to leisure guests, after only being open to essential visitors throughout the pandemic.
The new hotel, the Zanzibar Locke, is Locke’s sixth property but its first not located within the UK.
Country general manager, Osguar O Ciardha, said: “Locke’s forward-thinking aparthotel concept has shown resilience throughout the pandemic. In an exceptionally challenging year for Irish hospitality, we were able to remain open throughout the national lockdown to house essential stays largely enabled by the self-contained apartments. We are looking forward to welcoming back leisure travellers.”
The Zanzibar Locke contains 160 studio apartments, including a range from 25 square meter City Studios to 50 square meter River Suites, which can accommodate both short and long term stays. Each apartment includes a fully fitted kitchen and living spaces.
The hotel offers numerous other amenities on site as well. A gym, a cultural programme, a co-working space, and a restaurant, operated by NolaClan, a Dublin hospitality company, are among these amenities.
The restaurant on site, which operates on the mezzanine level, is called Baraza. Baraza serves coffee and snacks in the morning and small plates with cocktails during the day. Due to restrictions, indoor dining is only available for hotel guests at this time.
The Zanzibar Locke is located within a building that used to house the Zanzibar nightclub, the aparthotel’s namesake. The building offers views of the River Liffey on the Ormond Quay.
The building has undergone renovations and restorations led by O’Donnell O’Neill Design and C+W O’Brien Architects, who worked to combine aspects of character from the original building with contemporary style.
Locke also worked with local designers to create a hotel that “is deeply embedded in the social fabric of the neighbourhood.” Locke worked with local suppliers such as Grown and Mona Lxsa, DJ and founder of Gxrl Code.
Locke is not stopping with the Zanzibar Locke, as it has an array of new hotels set to open in the next few months. It plans to open a second Dublin location in August, a Cambridge location in October, and two locations in Munich.
Locke, which opened in 2016, is managed by edyn Group. Stephen McCall, CEO of edyn, said: “We are very excited to finally be welcoming leisure travellers into our first property outside of the UK. It has been a great experience familiarising ourselves with the local Dublin market – and early indications show that our unique aparthotel concept is something new and exciting that the city needs at this pivotal moment. With a second opening in Dublin later this year, we are delighted to be able to welcome all guests in time for summer.”
