100 new jobs are to be created by the Armada Hotel as part of a €3m redevelopment plan.
Posts are set to be filled by February when a €3m redevelopment plan at The Armada Hotel is completed. The announcement of 100 new jobs coincides with the launch of a recruitment drive titled ‘The Quest for Ireland’s Best,’ to attract talent from across the island to posts in more than 30 hospitality roles.
Renovation plans at the four star hotel in Spanish Point were stalled last year due to the pandemic. Works include the delivery of a large extension housing ‘Aileens’ – a brand new 90 seater restaurant with its own 100% sustainable energy kitchen; a new ocean bar with an interactive cocktail space; a private dining area for parties of up to 12 guests; and a dedicated space for wedding arrivals with feature bar and panoramic views. The remainder of the renovation works will take place in January when the hotel is closed to guests.
To facilitate its ‘Quest for Ireland’s Best’, the hotel has opened its own recruitment agency to fill the 100 vacancies within the next four months. The headquarters of the recruitment firm is a beach hut by the sea at Spanish Point. The Armada is seeking 100 new team members to join them immediately on their “next big adventure” which they say offers a great life in hospitality by the sea.
Hotel owner and managing director, John Burke outlined that they are keen to find the country’s best “for our next big adventure”. He explained, “We’re building a world-class extension to give our guests the most authentic experience of life by the coast. That’s what we have to offer as a career too: the chance to work in one of Ireland’s most innovative hotels, offering something few other establishments are facilitating, a healthier approach to working hours, pay and conditions that means our team and their families get to truly enjoy life by the sea”.
Change within the hospitality industry is needed to attract and retain staff, Burke believed. He felt the onus was on hospitality employers to rethink the workplace environments they create in order to make careers in the sector more appealing. He was hopeful the West Clare resort would “lead the way within the sector by ensuring The Armada is a great place to work, with conditions, pay and supports to match”.
Efforts are ongoing to source accommodation in West and North Clare for persons considering relocating to the county, the Spanish Point native revealed. “Employment here is something that we aim to ensure gives all of our team great pride and satisfaction and we are excited to launch our ‘Quest for the Best’, to find the cream of Ireland’s hospitality talent, and encourage applicants from across Ireland to join us, for a better life by the sea. In an effort to support this, we are currently sourcing accommodation in the area and upgrading our own staff apartments to enable people wishing to relocate to the west, to work here in County Clare”.
“At The Armada we are constantly reviewing staff pay and conditions around everything from breaks and benefits to the comfort of the working environment and we’re currently looking at introducing premium rates for staff working past midnight. We’re also proud to run what we believe is the most active employee wellbeing and assistance programme existing in any Irish hotel and we are preparing to unveil a full suite of health insurance support packages in conjunction with VHI, something which is not very prevalent in the hotel industry,” the former Clare Person of the Year added.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the jobs available should send their “By The Sea. C.V.” to HR@ARMADAHOTEL.COM or visit www.jobsbythesea.com.
