Designed by architects Burke Kennedy Doyle, the new hotel on Sir Harry's Mall makes the most of its frontage onto the Abbey river with floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terraces.

Michael de Haast, managing director of the Absolute group, says the company is very excited about opening its first branded hotel in Limerick city centre. "Location is essential to us. Over the last five years there has been a lot of hotel development in the Limerick city area but little in the city centre. We wanted a city-centre hotel with a spa and with a great bar and restaurant that works for the local audience."

One of the Absolute Hotel group's success stories to date is Absolute Spa in Headford, Galway. The Limerick hotel will also have a spa based on the same successful model, with six spacious treatment rooms, a thermal suite and Canadian hot tub.

The hotel has a conference centre that can accommodate up to 200 delegates, and a series of boardrooms catering from 10 to 35. Guests can enjoy complimentary internet access throughout the hotel.

The hotel's Limerick-born general manager Grace Gallagher says she is looking forward to the challenge. "It's really exciting to be involved with Absolute and to be back in my home town, a city which reflects the dynamic nature of this project perfectly."