Hotel Scotland 050 February 2024

HOTELSCOTLAND ISSUE 50 FEBRUARY 2024 ISSN 2515-8287

INTERVIEW

THE WALLACES THE CAIRNDALE HOTEL DESIGN

W EDINBURGH

Delivering Dependable Laundry For more information contact: claireb@fisherservices.co.uk

CONTENTS

4 NEWS 12 ON THE MARKET 15 HOTEL TRENDS

7

CHRIS WAYNE-WILLS

WELCOME

See you next month.

Susan Young Editor

FUTURE-PROOFING THE CAIRNDALE

20 DESIGN:

W EDINBURGH

W

elcome to the first issue of 2024.

We have extended our news coverage to bring you up to date with everything that has been going on... and there has been plenty.

Last month we featured the General Manager of the new Virgin Glasgow - Tom Gibson, just ahead of the closure due to financial difficulties faced by the buildings owner. I sincerely hope that Tom and his colleagues have been snapped up.

This month I visited the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries to meet the Wallaces - this hotel has been in the family for more than 40 years and now the father and son team are taking the business to the next level.

We also take a look at the new W Edinburgh which opened at the tail end of the year. It does look amazing.

If you would like to feature in the magazine, please get in touch.

17 INTERVIEW:

30 HIT EVENTS

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THE WALLACES

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W EDINBURGH

HOTELSCOTLAND Published by Media World Limited t: 07901 555950 e: news@mediaworldltd.com w: hotelmagazinescotland-online.co.uk

susan@mediaworldltd.com @hotel_scotland hotelmagazinescotland-online.co.uk

Editor: Susan Young Editor: Nicola Young Advertising: Anne Campbell, Kimberley Andreucci Production:, Fiona Gauld Admin: Lesley Smith

Subscriptions: HOTEL SCOTLAND is available by subscription at the rate of £52 per annum. The publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. © Media World Limited 2024. Printed by Stephens & George Print Group.

HOTELSCOTLAND • 3

NEWS

Manorview share £273,560 with their team

M

anorview, an independent Scottish hospitality group, have announced they are sharing over ¼ million pounds of profit with their team via their Heartcount profit share scheme.

The group, who own and operate 12 venues across Central Scotland, including wedding venues, hotels and restaurants, announced the profit share on Thursday night, during an allexpenses-paid party for the whole team, which was held at iconic Glasgow venue, The Arches.

Their Heartcount profit share scheme sees everyone in the business who has 12+ months service qualify for a share of 10% of Manorview’s net profits. The total amount being shared this year is £273,560 – and 471 team members have qualified. The profit share will be an earnings boost for all qualifying team members, and for many of the team, it will equate to 2 weeks’ worth of pay.

The profit share is the biggest they’ve ever had – after having shared the previous record of £162,479 with the team in January 2023.

The profit share amount each qualifying person gets is calculated

Improved hotel investments for 2024?

Christie & Co has released its annual Business Outlook report, ‘Business Outlook 2024’, which reflects on key market activity, trends, and challenges in 2023, including the hotel sector. It revealed a “notable increase in deals during the second half of the year” according to MD of Hotels at Christie & Co Carine Bonnejean.

The report also indicates a rebalancing in the UK hotel sector in 2023, with transaction volumes progressively improving from the summer onwards.

The bid-ask spread between sellers seeking value for strong trading performance and buyers having to factor increased debt costs into their pricing is narrowing, resulted in a -4.1% drop in Christie & Co’s hotel price index for 2023.

The report also highlights several challenges in the hotel industry, including increased distress through consensual and forced sales, polarisation of the market towards economy and luxury segments, softening yields due to a stabilising yet high interest rate environment, and development pipeline risks in key markets due to increased debt and construction costs. It also highlights the need for further brand consolidation.

4 • HOTELSCOTLAND

on hours worked during a 12-month period – NOT on job title or salary. This was a very intentional decision made by the Manorview team.

Managing Director David Tracey (pictured right) said, “Fairness is at the heart of our decisions. Every person in every role across our business impacts our success, so it’s right that profit is shared in a fair way.” Mr Tracey continues: “The calculation process ultimately means that it doesn’t matter whether someone is a Kitchen Porter, Bar Team, Wedding Sales Manager, General Manager, Housekeeper or Director – if they’ve worked the same hours, they get the same profit share.”

The profit share is just one of many things Manorview are doing as part of their mission to make life better through hospitality. All team members at the group are paid the real living wage at a minimum, and the business also recently set up a

registered charity, the Manorview Foundation, to support those experiencing poverty and hardship. In December 2023, they hosted 1,700 underprivileged kids across 18 free party nights – ensuring they could experience some Christmas cheer.

VALOR HOSPITALITY TO OPEN SEATON HOUSE Valor Hospitality Partners, has gone into partnership with US-based Links Collection, and will open a new five-star boutique hotel in St Andrews this Autumn.

The new hotel to be called Seaton House was formerly the Scores Hotel which overlooks the Royal & Ancient clubhouse and first tee on the Old Course at St Andrews. The new branding revives the buildings original name.

With ​​​40 luxury bedrooms and three suites, guests will be able to choose a sea or garden view, with five rooms benefiting from their own private terrace.

The culinary experience will be headlined by renowned Scottish Chef Roy Brett, of Ondine Oyster & Grill, Edinburgh making it the first new venture since the establishment of the Ondine in 2009,

Ondine St Andrews will be a key feature, alongside an all-day restaurant, bar, and lounge.

The menu will celebrate the provenance of the finest local produce, complemented by a selection of curated wines, crafted cocktails, and whiskies.

Euan McGlashan, Global Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Valor Hospitality Partners said, “Having lived away from Scotland for over 30 years, it is a thrill to be back working on such an incredible project in the beautiful St Andrews.

Our wonderful owners have been intimately involved in all the design details, ensuring their love of hospitality and golf, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, is projected in a way that is residential in feel with a very distinct sense of place and all the modern conveniences our guests will expect.”

Melrose hotel sold to Leisureplex The Waverley Castle Hotel in Melrose has been sold to Leisureplex Hotel Group by Coast & Country Collection. The hotel becomes the group’s 23rd property.

The 77-bedroom hotel, set in five acres of parkland has views of the Eildon Hills, and direct access to a scenic walk along the banks of the River Tweed into Melrose. Emma Russell, managing director of Alfa Leisureplex Group, said, “We are delighted that the Waverley Castle Hotel is joining as our latest Leisureplex Hotel and we are looking forward to welcoming the team to our employee-owned family.”

The sale was engineered by Christie & Co. Gary Witham, director in Christie & Co’s Scottish hospitality team, said, “We are delighted to report the sale of the Waverley Castle Hotel. The property is one of the 33 hotels positioned in leading resort and leisure destinations across England, Scotland, and Wales that we are currently marketing on behalf of the Coast & Country Hotel Collection. The hotels have received very strong interest to date, and a limited number of these assets remain available, so we invite any interested parties to get in touch.”

NEWS

TRUMP TURNBERRY MOVES INTO PROFIT

Figures revealed by the Office for National Statistics shows that Scotland has staged a stronger post-pandemic recovery than the UK as a whole, welcoming 1.4 million international tourist visits from July to September last year - up 14% on the same period in 2019.

The visitors spent a record £1.5 billion an increase of 18% compared to the same three months in 2019 when adjusted for inflation. At the same time, the number of visits in the UK as a whole was down compared to the same period in 2019.

£30m Murrayshall Country Estate masterplan approved by council Perth & Kinross Council have approved the £30m masterplan put forward by Murrayshall Country Estate which will see an extension to the hotel, a new spa and leisure facility, an outdoor pursuits area, glamping units, lodges and the potential for residential development and fractional ownership/timeshare.

Gary Silcock, General Manager for Murrayshall Country Estate, said, “We are delighted with the Council’s decision to approve our Masterplan Application and would like to thank everyone for their support.

“We’ve been examining for some time our current standing and future prospects and it is evident we continue to face certain challenges.

Today’s decision to approve our proposals in principle is the first step at a new chapter for Murrayshall Country Estate – a journey from challenges to opportunities, fostering growth, employment and ultimately providing an asset to be enjoyed by the local community.

“Reflecting on our past endeavors, including

a substantial investment of approximately £5million into the estate, we recognise the significance of this milestone. This approval unlocks a potential investment of around £169million across Perth and Kinross and Scotland, potentially securing 400 job opportunities.

“We look forward to bringing forward more detailed plans over the coming months.”

Trump Turnberry, operated by SLC Turnberry Limited, has made a profit for the first time since being acquired by Donald Trump in 2014.

The accounts show that the resort reported a pre-tax profit of £0.57m in 2022, up from a £3.7m loss in 2021.

Operating profit was up from £1.1m to £3.2m, +196%, and turnover was up £8.7m (66%) from £13.1m to £21.8m following the relaxing of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, 10 year-old Trump International Golf Club Scotland Limited, which owns Trump International Scotland, the country house hotel and golf course in Aberdeenshire, saw pre-tax losses increase from £696,845 in 2021 to £738,344.

Turnover was up from £2.1m to £3.6m, the best-performing year for the resort to date, but cost of sales and administration costs were also up, from £2.7m to £4.1m, +52%. Both costs and increased visitor numbers will also be reflecting the re-opening following the pandemic.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, has announced a partnership with Scottish seaweed skincare brand ishga which will see the product range introduced across all 16 spa properties in the hotel group’s portfolio, including the four-star Macdonald Inchyra in Falkirk.

Dave Heap, leisure and spa director at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, said, “We’re proud to partner with ishga across our portfolio of spa destinations. Together, we are committed to providing a world-class spa experience for each of our guests, and we look forward to rolling out our new menu of treatments this winter.”

Leon Trayling, co-founder and director at ishga, said, “By working with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, we can help even more guests to experience the rejuvenating powers of the ocean. Quality and sustainability are values which we share and have built this partnership upon.”

HOTELSCOTLAND • 5

NEWS

ECO-CERTIFICATES FOR SCOTTISH HOTELS Four hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have scooped international Green Key eco-certificates following audits by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The Novotel Edinburgh Park, Motel One Glasgow, Motel One EdinburghPrinces and Motel One Edinburgh-Royal all demonstrated their sustainability credentials and a commitment to improving environmental practices against 13 set criteria areas.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “I’d like to congratulate all the newly accredited Green Key establishments. They join a prestigious collection of others in Scotland, leading the way in sustainable tourism, and join a family of thousands globally.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see Motel One locating key hotels in city centre locations promoting sustainable travel and using local produce, such as cheeses, milk and crisps, where possible.

“Additionally, the ‘Go Green, Skip the Clean’ Accor initiative used by Novotel allows guests to collect points on loyalty cards for opting out of the in-room cleaning service if staying for two days or more.

“Both hotel groups are trialling innovative initiatives to increase their sustainability credentials, which is heartening to see.”

WATERSIDE HOTEL TO GET NEW SEA SPA Ayrshire hospitality group, SimpsInns, has announced plans to open a new sea view spa, first floor resident gym and 17 extra guest rooms at its Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride this year.

The new spa will feature an indoor sauna and steam room, spa lounge and an outdoor hydro pool and will utilise the former area known as the Si Shack.

The family-owned business, originally formed by Malcolm and Karen Simpson, now includes sons Lee and Jack, and the business was crowned Ayrshire’s ‘Hospitality Business of the Year’ in 2023.

SimpsInns portfolio includes The Gailes Hotel & Spa and the Old Loans Inn at Troon as well as the The Potting Shed and The Terrace at Irvine.

Plans lodged for 4-star hotel at St Andrew Square Proposals by Dublin-based Dalata Hotel Group for a £50 million, 167 room, four-star Clayton Hotel in Edinburgh have moved to the planning stage following the acquisition of the office building site at 28 St Andrew Square, previously the site of Virgin Money premises.

The Irish group, which already operates both a Clayton Hotel and a Maldron Hotel in Glasgow, intend to make the new hotel one of the most sustainable in Edinburgh.

If approved, the hotel plans to open in 2026 and create 376 jobs, 80 of which are jobs in the hotel, and also support around £6.5 million contribution to the local economy as well as activating the street frontages at a corner of St Andrew Square.

6 • HOTELSCOTLAND

Crossbasket Castle’s £15m expansion plan Crossbasket Castle, the luxury hotel owned by Steve and Alison Timoney, and operated by Inverlochy Castle Management, at High Blantyre is aiming to re-open in the summer following a £15 million expansion.

The hotel, which achieved an AA Inspectors’ Choice 5 Red Stars for 2023-2024, will now offer 40-bedrooms, a 100-cover destination restaurant, two eco-friendly lodges, and a spa.

Once complete, the venue will have capacity for an additional 35,000 visitors each year and provide over 50 jobs for the local area, delivering a projected economic boost to the South Lanarkshire economy of £5m per annum.

Graeme Green, managing director of

Crossbasket Castle, comments, “Alison and Steve’s vision is something very special. I have worked in the hotel sector for 25 years and managed some of the world’s most exclusive establishments, but Crossbasket Castle is one that really excites me.

“The standards of the owners have led to something truly exceptional and unique.

It gives a stylish nod to the 1920s and plays on some of the key features of the exquisite and tranquil landscape in a way that will really capture people’s imagination.

“The whole project is moving forward at pace, and we are very excited about opening our doors next year.”.

NEWS

£15m investment for Mar Hall Dubai-based firm, Dutco Group has already got plans underway to revitalise Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Bishopton which they bought out of administration at the tail end of 2023.

The £15m expansion plans include updated leisure and spa facilities, the construction of new woodland lodges, and the refurbishment of the 52 guest rooms and public spaces.

The group say the intention is to establish a hotel to “rival world-class resorts such as Cameron House and Gleneagles”.

Nelson Gibb, group chief executive officer at Dutco Group, said, “This is our first hotel acquisition in Scotland, which is recognised as a world-class destination for hospitality.

“This deal is testament to our confidence in Mar Hall and what we believe we can achieve through targeted and creative investment. We are looking forward to working with the Mar Hall team and our partners over the coming years to bring our vision to life.”

The purchase has been supported by Align Partners.

HEALTHY RESULTS FOR CRERAR HOTELS AS PROFITS RISE 30% Crerar Hotels has posted a 31% increase in turnover, rising from £14.5 million to £19m, and a more than 30% growth in gross profit, from £12.6m to £16.4m in its figures to end March 2023.

The news comes only months after Crerar Hotels, recently was voted the UK’s Small Hotel Group of the Year by the AA .

The Group, which has seven award-winning hotels and inns within its portfolio, saw summer sales at the Hotel Group exceed pre-Covid levels.

Gross profit also increased by more than 30 per cent (from £12.6 million to £16.4 million) with a further £2.4 million invested in the upgrading of hotels and spas across the portfolio.

As an ‘employer of choice’, Crerar Hotels has also boosted staff numbers by more than 16 per cent (increasing the staff total from 267 to 312) and increased salaries and benefits, which resulted in a total of more than a £2 million increase in spend across the group.

At the end of the financial period Crerar Hotels was acquired by new owners and while the company reported a pre-tax loss of £2.2m, this loss incorporated the non-recurring costs of a company restructure and costs associated to the company sale. Crerar Hotel’s CEO is confident that as a result of the new ownership, the company will continue on an upward trajectory.

Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said, “It is incredibly encouraging to be able to reflect on a positive year for Crerar Hotels. We

have demonstrated our ongoing commitment to building and strengthening our proposition, whilst ensuring our people are well looked after and valued. We are really starting to see the fruits of our investments.”

“Strong summer trading was experienced with particularly notable results following prior year investment projects such as the Isle of Mull and the Glencoe Inn and we saw the return of our international visitors. Whilst autumn and winter trading saw a gradual move towards prior year booking patterns, strategic decisions saw a larger volume of group business at Oban Bay which was particularly beneficial to overall group performance.”

“A main focus for us was to increase accommodation sales, following significant investment in our hotels which has significantly increased standards and hotel gradings. This key measurement has been successfully achieved during the trading period with a 16% increase in bedroom occupancy over the prior year, along with improvements in secondary spends of food and drink.”

Mr Wayne-Wills continued, “Labour shortages and cost increases had a notable impact, albeit we remain in a better place to recruit and retain our high-quality staff and absorb supply price pressures than many of our competitors.”

He concluded, “We are assured about the future and under the new ownership, we will continue to confidently invest and play our part in ensuring Scotland is a world-class destination with warm hospitality at its heart.”

HOTELSCOTLAND • 7

NEWS

REVPAR FALLS IN NOVEMBER BUT STILL AHEAD OF 2022 Scottish hotels saw a decrease in room rates, occupancy, revenue per available room (REVPAR) and gross operating profits following natural seasonal demand fluctuations during November but they all still outperformed the same period in 2022, according to the RSM Hotels Tracker.

The Hotstats data, analysed by RSM UK, shows occupancy rates of hotels in Scotland was down from 80.3% in October to 73.6% in November.

Although occupancy is yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, it surpassed those seen last November in Scotland (72.9%).

Average daily rates (ADR) of occupied rooms in Scotland decreased from £126.72 (October) down to £109.17 (November). These rates are ahead of the rates charged in November 2022, which were £105.43.

Revenue per available room (REVPAR) declined from £107.71 (October) to £80.33 (November) in Scotland, while gross operating profits saw a sharp fall from 32.1% in October to 22.2% in November.

Stuart McCallum, partner and head of consumer markets in Scotland at RSM UK, said, “The hotel sector

performed relatively well in November, with room rates and occupancy holding up better than expected for this time of year and particularly considering the continued squeeze on household budgets.

“This was helped by early festive celebrations and companies holding Christmas parties which provided a welcome boost to food and drink revenues. We expect this to be evident in the December results too.”

Mr McCallum continued, “However, there is still uncertainty in the market and there have been a number of key closures due to tough economic conditions, such as the Virgin Hotel in Glasgow.

“The lack of business rates support for Scottish hospitality in comparison to English business is also a major disadvantage for the sector in Scotland.”

He added “Looking ahead to the summer months, international events including the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Edinburgh, the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon and of course the Edinburgh Fringe Festival will all be a significant boost to Scottish tourism – attracting visitors from across the world.”

Condé Nast Traveller, has released its ‘Gold List’ of the most spectacular hotels across the world for 2024.

In Scotland, there were two hotels to be granted worldclass status. Lundies House on the north coast of the Scottish Highlands and Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire.

However taking pole position was Heckfield Place in Hampshire due to its ‘refreshingly unexpected’ lack of ‘stuffiness or pomp’.

NAIRN SPA NAMED AS ONE OF THE BEST BY THE AA Coast, located within the Crerar-owned Golf View Hotel & Spa in Nairn, has been awarded an AA Recommended Spa Award for its quality services, high standards of customer care and cleanliness.

The Highland retreat received praise for its “wonderful sea views” and “relaxing open-air hot tub”.

According to the AA’s official description, Golf View is a “northern gem” and provides the “perfect place to rediscover Scotland” thanks to its lucrative position on the coast of the Moray Firth.

The accolade is the latest in a series of recognitions achieved by Coast Spa following an £850,000 renovation earlier this year.

Kate Paterson, Spa Manager at Golf View Hotel & Spa, said, “Coast Spa is a truly unique place to relax and unwind, and we are delighted its high level of luxury has been recognised in this newly curated list by the AA.” The luxury haven was also recently shortlisted for the ‘Best Spa in Scotland’ category by the Good Spa Guide alongside Fairmont St Andrews, Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel, One Spa Sheraton Grand Hotel and The Spa at Gleneagles.

Kate added, “It’s incredible to see Coast Spa take its rightful spot among some of the most prestigious spas that Scotland has to offer.”

8 • HOTELSCOTLAND

NEWS

KICKING OFF AT TYNECASTLE

H

eart of Midlothian, has unveiled its new 25-bedroom hotel and events space.

Integrated within the main stand at the iconic Tynecastle Park in the west of the city, this is the UK’s first club-owned and operated hotel inside a football stadium.

The Tynecastle Park Hotel offers a choice of individually styled guest rooms, including family, executive and accessible rooms. It also offers a club lounge and a choice of six new dedicated meeting, conference and event spaces.

The 25 guest rooms have a high specification, including en-suite shower rooms with marble finish, monsoon showers and emperor-size beds. Selected guest rooms use the latest technology to provide guests with the option of a live view of the pitch or city skyline on HD plasma screens.

The well-established and award-winning Skyline Restaurant, which sits on the top floor of the main stand will be open seven days a week offering overnight guests and nonresidents the finest Scottish seasonal menus.

Ann Budge from Tynecastle Park Hotel and Heart of Midlothian Football Club, said, “Tynecastle Park is set to offer a truly unique hotel experience in our iconic Tynecastle Park Stadium – the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Owned and operated entirely by the club, the hotel is Hearts’ newest and boldest venture. It’s also the only hotel of its kind found anywhere in the UK. “As part of our ambitious growth plans both on and off the pitch, our in-house hospitality team will take full responsibility for running the hotel and providing one-of-a-kind matchday experience and guest stays.

“The hotel rooms and additional conference and events space will offer the club an ideal opportunity to host even more events at Tynecastle while appealing to the millions of visitors that Edinburgh attracts each year as the UK’s second most visited city.”

She added, “As well as our vast supporter base both in the local area and from further afield, we hope to attract international visitors and guests from around the UK looking for

Virgin Hotel Glasgow which opened in August closed suddenly in December with around 100 staff losing their jobs after the owner of the property Lloyds Developments Limited, was put into administration by its lenders.

James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels, who have a management contract for the hotel said in a statement “Virgin Group tried to find solutions, including offering to purchase the hotel, to keep the hotel open, keep the team in employment and ensure the completion of the development of the hotel, creating something the City of Glasgow could be proud of. Unfortunately, the lenders have not accepted Virgin’s offers and intend to pursue a sales process with the hotel closed.Virgin Hotels is very disappointed by this decision after the hard work everyone has put into the hotel and because of the impact it will have on the team that works there.”

“The Virgin Hotels team continues to have great ambitions for managing the hotel in Glasgow and looks forward to re-opening once a new owner is in place. No other Virgin hotel is impacted – all other Virgin Hotels remain open and operating as normal as all Virgin Hotels are

Aberdour hotel on the market The Aberdour Hotel, a 17th century coaching inn, in Aberdour is now on the market through Cornerstone Business Agents for a guide price of £895K. Cornerstone says, ““Our clients have skilfully run the business for the last 16 years and are offering the hotel for sale with yet further untapped potential for turnover and profit growth. At present the village is under served by licensed offerings, with only a small pub and an exclusive use hotel for competition on the busy high street.

“The restaurant is well patronised by a mixture of hotel guests, villagers and passers-by. The letting rooms, by a mixture of tourists, businesspeople, golf parties as well as a mix of general custom.

“Occupancy and room rates rise in the summer months and the rooms are effectively marketed on a number of channels including booking.com. The letting rooms are particularly popular with golfers and golfing parties who use Aberdour as the perfect base to explore the best courses Fife and further beyond have to offer.”

Green Light for £33.8m Perthshire Leisure Development Plans for a 150 hotel with 52 holiday chalets have been given the green light by planners.

The Morris Leslie development at Walnut Grove just outside of Perth achieved support from all councillors after the developer agreed to provide a financial contribution towards pedestrian improvements.

Morris Leslie will now build a150 bedrooms hotel, 52 holiday chalets, a transport museum and associated workshop, retail and support services.

Visitor Levy passes first stage MSPs have voted – by 86 votes to 30 – to approve the general principles of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill which would allow councils to introduce a charge on overnight stays. The proposals were backed in a consultation led by the Scottish Government.

Also known as a ‘tourist tax’, the charge would apply to those staying in hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation, campsites and caravan parks.

Councils would be required to consult local communities, businesses and tourism organisations on whether a visitor levy should be brought in and how any revenue should be spent.

Edinburgh council has said that it is “currently looking at introducing a visitor levy in Edinburgh should the draft Bill be passed.

The earliest that we could introduce a levy is 2026, based on the ‘grace periods’ set out in the draft bill.”

The draft Visitor Levy Bill says that the levy will be calculated on accommodation at the point of booking (it does not include any extras such as food, drink, parking), and that it must be a percentage of the room cost, not a fixed fee per room, person or night. The levy will be calculated on the pre-VAT value.

HOTELSCOTLAND • 9

INVERNESS HOTEL AWARDED 4 STARS A hotel in Inverness’ historic quarter is celebrating being upgraded to 4 Stars, cementing 5-fold growth and millions of investment over the last 17 years.

The Glen Mhor Hotel and Apartments at Ness Bank has moved from 3 to 4 Stars following a new VisitScotland Quality Assurance Report undertaken in December.

The recognition represents a huge boost to owners and staff, with the business seeing significant growth, including an innovative onsite Sustainability Centre powered by water from the River Ness.

In the last 12 months, a programme of room refurbishments and staff development has raised standards further, despite tremors in the UK economy caused by the cost-ofliving crisis.

Owners Victoria and Jon Erasmus also opened the new Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, the first whisky distillery to open in Inverness since 1892.

Victoria Erasmus comments, “This award is the icing on the cake in a challenging year when we are coming out of Covid and have also opened a new business venture and moved to a sustainable way of operating.

“It’s a real morale boost and testament to the dedication of our staff and management, especially our culinary team led by Executive Chef Andrew Lee, whose commitment to food quality is impeccable,” Since the couple took over in 2006, the hotel has grown from 26 bedrooms to 120 bedrooms and apartments, achieved in part by the acquisition of neighbouring properties on Ness Bank.

They have also invested in a pioneering Sustainability Centre which uses shallow water wells to produce green energy, with the addition of Solar PV panels. Environmental sustainability plays a key part in the owners’ ethos and the business has committed to achieving Net Zero targets.

That investment has removed the hotel from the gas grid, with the exception of the Waterside Restaurant which will be moved over to renewable power within 18 months.

Victoria Erasmus says the improvements at the Glen Mhor are reflective of a drive for high standards for guests and to ensure the business and staff have a solid foundation.

“We’ve been future-proofing the business for the next generation – not an easy task given the current economic climate.

“We are thrilled by this acknowledgment and eagerly anticipate the upcoming phases in our growth development plan.”.

10 • HOTELSCOTLAND

“THE MISH” IN TOBERMORY ADDS NEW RESTAURANT The owners of The Mishnish on the Isle of Mull opened a new fine dining restaurant called An Cala Ciùin (translated as The Calm Harbour) at the end of last year.

The new venture comes after owners Les and Meg MacLeod shelved plans to retire.

They’ve created a business partnership with experienced fine dining chef, Ross Caithness, turning an unused upstairs space, which used to house an Italian restaurant, into a twenty cover fine dining restaurant.

Ross, who, in his eleven years as a chef, has worked with leading culinary luminaries such as Martin Wishart and Tom Kitchin, is offering two exceptional five and eight course Taster Menus with paired wines at An Cala Ciùin, along with a full a la carte menu which is available at lunchtimes as well as evenings.

“We are delighted about teaming up with Ross, it’s provided a new exciting focus in the business which we had been ready to sell,” said Meg MacLeod, who is one of only two families that have owned “The Mish” as its locally known, in its 160 year history on Tobermory’s world famous sea front.

“We had thought of retiring, and actually went as far as listing the Hotel with an agent.

We wanted to find the right kind of owner for this very special business which obviously has meant so much to us since we became its custodians in 2014,” she added.

Meg explained that her existing casual dining restaurant within The Mish, “The MishDish”, which is in the downstairs part of the building, already had a very fine reputation for locally caught seafood “which is another reason why tourists come to Mull.”

“Teaming up with Ross, with his incredible menus, has given our guests, day visitors, and local customers the choice of two different styles of dining depending on what they are looking for. The MishDish is also very popular, with a wide choice of dishes..”

Ross adds, “Our joint vision lined up perfectly on the style of restaurant we wanted to open.

I am very grateful as it’s not every day as a chef that you get the chance to put everything you’ve worked for into something you can call your own. We all felt that An Cala Ciùin would be something different to add to the already brilliant array of restaurants on the island.”

An Cala Ciùin is open Wednesday to Saturday, with lunch served 12-2:30pm, and dinner from 5.30-9pm.

IF YOU HAVE ANY NEWS LET US KNOW. EMAIL US AT: NEWS@MEDIAWORLDLTD.COM

NEWS

APEX SPLASH OUT ON TARTANIUM FOR A VERY GOOD CAUSE

T

artanium, a magnificent 4-foot fibre-glass Scottie dog made by fife artist Robert Mach is now gracing the Apex Hotel in Dundee.

Tartanium, decked in a distinctive Tunnock’s Tea Cake red and blue tartan design, was successfully bid for by Apex Hotels at the Scotties by the Sea charity auction back in November, raising £12K for the charity.

Lesley Barnes, is pictured taking Tartanium on a walk outside the V&A. She is the mum of David, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018 following a seizure at home. They are just one of many Dundee families benefiting from the important work of Maggie’s. In 2023 alone, the charity supported over 14,000 cancer sufferers and their families across Dundee.

David said: “It’s great to see Tartanium back in Dundee!

I’ve loved fundraising for Maggie’s. We’ve been involved in Run the Runway and helped at the Farewell Weekend for the Scotties by the Sea auction. So many people don’t understand what’s happened to me but the people at

Maggie’s do and I’ve made many friends there.”

David’s mum Lesley added: “Maggie’s is a place for anyone with cancer, whether it’s the individual or a loved one worried about the future. The team there have helped both David and myself tremendously.

Annie Long, Fundraising Manager for Maggie’s Dundee, said:,“It’s fantastic to see Tartanium in Dundee following the ‘Scotties by the Sea’ auction in November, which is on track to raise £150,000 for Maggie’s. The money will go a long way towards supporting as many people with cancer and their families as possible in the Dundee area. This is all just fantastic news for Maggie’s.”

Averil Wilson, Managing Director, Apex Hotels said, “As one of our official charity partners, we are always thankful and grateful for the incredible work Maggie’s do in Dundee and across Scotland. David and Lesley’s story is testament to this, and we hope Tartanium will serve as a reminder of these inspiring stories and the tireless work Maggie’s do. We look forward to welcoming Tartanium to his new home at Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa!”

EDINBURGH EXPANSION FOR MEININGER AS IT PLANS CAPITAL COLLABORATION International hotel operator MEININGER is set to expand its reach into Edinburgh through a partnership with property development company S Harrison. The collaboration aims to convert a 1970s office building in the Haymarket area into an exquisite new hotel.

S Harrison, based in York, acquired Osborne House in 2018 and has worked closely with Edinburgh-based architect Comprehensive Design Architects to create transformative plans for the building. The hotel will feature 157 bedrooms and include a bar and lounge area on the ground floor. Located just west of Edinburgh’s city centre, the building is conveniently close to the Haymarket tram stop and within walking distance of Princess Street.

MEININGER is a prominent player in the hybrid hotel market, providing flexible and affordable modern accommodation with a unique style. Since debuting its first hotel in Berlin in 1999, MEININGER has experienced significant growth and now boasts over 19,000 beds across 26 European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne, Copenhagen, Kraków, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Vienna.

The new Edinburgh hotel will consist of 157 bedrooms, offering a total of 549 beds in various room types such as classic doubles and private multiple-bed rooms. Additionally, the hotel will provide amenities like a taxi dropoff area, disabled parking, and a secure cycle

www.drinkaware.co.uk

store. Construction on the project is set to commence early next year.

Ann Scott, managing director at S Harrison said, “We’re very pleased to agree this deal and look forward to seeing our vision for Osborne House begin to take shape. Edinburgh remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations for tourists and business travellers, hence our decision to hold this asset to further strengthen our investment portfolio.

“MEININGER has established an enviable reputation for offering modern, well-designed hybrid hotels in key cities throughout Europe that appeal to all types of guests.

“When all this is combined with Osborne House’s location, in a very vibrant area, just a five-minute walk from Haymarket station and close to both Murrayfield Stadium and Edinburgh city centre, there’s no doubt it will become a very popular hotel.”

Ajit Menon, CEO at MEININGER Hotels added, “We are excited to bring the proven and successful MEININGER hybrid hotel concept to Edinburgh, re-entering the United Kingdom and further expanding our presence in Europe. We believe that Edinburgh, with its lively, diverse and unique nature resonates with the MEININGER culture. Edinburgh attracts families, couples, backpackers, school groups, friends and business travellers alike, making the city a perfect fit for our brand.”

Cameron House on Loch Lomond has received recognition for its commitment to sustainability at the Greengage Awards, which honour outstanding initiatives implemented by hotels and individuals in the past 12 months.

Tim Henson, the resort’s environment and sustainability officer, won silver for “Sustainability Champion of the Year,” and the resort received silver in the “Hotel or Accommodation” category.

On being named as one of Greengage’s ‘Sustainability Heroes of the Year’, Tim Henson added, “I’m humbled and honoured; this recognition is not just a personal triumph but a celebration of our collective efforts toward a more sustainable future.”

FEATURE

ON THE MARKET

THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE FOR HOTELIERS LOOKING TO GROW THE PORTFOLIO AND FOR MANAGERS LOOKING TO TAKE ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY. WE HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THE CURRENT HOTELS ON THE MARKET.

MCKAYS HOTEL WICK

LOCHALSH HOTEL KYLE OF LOCHALSH Built-in 1883 MacKays Hotel is a traditional stone-built property which has been owned and operated by the same family for over 67 years and is located on the smallest street in the world according to the Guiness Book of Records.

It is very well established and is extremely popular with locals and visitors to the area. Many tourists are repeat visitors and use the hotel as a base to explore the NC500.

The hotel has 30 ensuite bedrooms, 6 self-catering apartments, an award-winning whisky bar, No. 1 Bistro, a private dining room, ballroom and meeting rooms.

It is for sale through Drysdale & Co for offers in in excess of £1,350,000.

This popular coastal hotel is situated on the west coast of Scotland and has 44 guest bedrooms, all-day dining restaurant, lounge & cocktail bar, and function and events spaces for up to 350 guests.

VICTORIA SQUARE HOTEL STIRLING THE INN ON THE LOCH TAYCHREGGAN With views over Loch Awe, Taychreggan, The Inn on the Loch near Taynuilt also has an impressive Trip Advisor rating, in 2022 Best of the Best was 4.5/5.

Agents Christie and Co say that this award winning luxury Country House Hotel sits in 39 acres and has 18 ensuite bedrooms – six with a Loch view – a 36 cover bar and lounge/ bistro as well as a 2 AA rosette fine dining 40-cover restaurant.

It previously had planning permission for 12 holiday lodges and comes with parking for around 25 cars, 3 bedroomed manager accommodation and 2 staff lodges. Freehold: £1.5m.

12 • HOTELSCOTLAND

This hotel is a Victorian mansion from the 1800s which sits within the leafy and affluent area of Kings Park Stirling. It has 10 ensuite letting bedrooms spread over 3 floors. There are also two staff bedrooms, one in the attic apartment and another on the lower ground floor.

The lower ground floor could lend itself to being a self-contained 4-bedroom apartment or as extensive owners accommodation.

There is a guest lounge that is used for pre and after dinner drinks.

The restaurant has two areas, the main dining room which can accommodate 20 diners, and the conservatory/orangery for 12 diners.

The current owners purchased the property in 2013 and have developed it into an award winning business, benefitting from a 5 Star rating from both Visit Scotland (the Scottish Tourist Board) and the AA. It is being marketing through Drysdale & Co for offers over £1.350,000.

LOCH LEVEN HOTEL LOCHLEVEN

This is a unique opportunity to acquire an established small hotel at Ballachulish, in the Scottish Highlands.

The 12-bed Loch Leven Hotel with 4 garden pods has been privately owned for eight years and is on the market at offers over £1.45m. The sale includes a craft gin/rum distillery site.

The hotel has a 30 cover lounge called the The Literature Lounge, The Loch View Restaurant with 80 covers and the Old Ferry Bar, a very Scottish venue with open fire and timber counter.

Caledon House is included in the sale - this is a 3 bedroomed cottage which was formerly the owners accommodation. For more information contact Drysdale & Co.

BEN BHRAGGIE HOTEL GOLSPIE The independently owned and operate Ben Bhraggie Hotel in Golspie is on the market with a guide price £445,000.

It is located on the NC500 route between Helmsdale and Dornoch.

Along with 6 newly refurbished ensuite bedrooms and 2-bed owners accommodation, it has a Lounge Bar, Restaurant (40 covers) and Conservatory dining room as well as a full commercial kitchen and private car park. It is being sold by Drysdale and Company.

SOUTH BEACH HOTEL TROON VICTORIA HOTEL KIRKCALDY The Victoria Hotel in Kirkcaldy is a a well established family friendly hotel with restaurant and function facilities and is located very close to Kirkcaldy town centre. The Victoria Hotel presents an excellent opportunity for a purchaser to take over a well established small hotel which trades well.

The hotel offers 21 newly refurbished ensuite letting bedrooms, a Lounge bar and restaurant and a Function suite on the ground floor with a capacity for 120.

This makes it a very popular wedding and function venue. It is on the market through Drysdale & Co with an asking price of over £895,000.

With the 152nd open set to be held at Royal Troon Golf Club in July 2024, Christie and Co have brought South Beach Hotel in Troon to market. This profitable hotel has been independently owned for over 40 years and features 32 ensuite letting rooms, a bar & restaurant as well as a large beer garden and car park. The agents say that this £2.5m Freehold would be well suited to both an owner operator or multiple operator.

Entry to the hotel leads to the main spacious reception area.

The main bar is to the right accommodating for around 30 via fixed seating, wooden tables and chairs. The room features a log burner and wood panelled walls with male toilets to the rear.

The lounge which can accommodate around 40 is to the left of the bar serving both rooms. Leading from the lounge is a large function room popular for private events such as birthdays, weddings and corporate events.

HOTELSCOTLAND • 13

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HOTEL TRENDS AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2024

FEATURE

BY NICOLA YOUNG

As we step into a new year, the hospitality industry is facing a landscape shaped by evolving consumer preferences, economic factors, and global events. In this article, we will take a look at the emerging trends and important considerations that hotel professionals should keep in mind for 2024.

Bleisure Trips: The Fusion of Business and Leisure In recent years, the concept of “bleisure” travel has gained prominence, and in 2024, it’s set to become a defining trend in the hotel industry. Bleisure travel refers to the blending of business and leisure trips, allowing travellers to make the most of their time away from home.

According to Rachael Kiss, marketing manager at Alliance Online, a significant 81% of business travellers are estimated to engage in bleisure travel.

Co-working Spaces for Business Travellers As the lines between work and leisure blur, hotels with dedicated co-working spaces are likely to see increased demand.

Business travellers, who often need a quiet and professional environment to work, will appreciate the convenience of in-house coworking facilities. Investing in such spaces can be a strategic move to attract guests in 2024.

Digitised Experiences: Embracing Technology for Enhanced Guest Service The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly spreading across various sectors, including hospitality. Guests now expect seamless digital experiences throughout their hotel stay.

To meet guest expectations, hotels must invest in tools that streamline and enhance the consumer experience. From automating checkins to implementing virtual concierge services, technology can make your hotel stand out in 2024. However, maintaining a human touch is essential to ensure that personal connection isn’t lost completely.

Shorter Stays: Adapting to Changing Travel Patterns As the cost-of-living crisis continues, some

travellers are shifting their focus from one big annual holiday to several affordable short-haul trips throughout the year. Tim Hentschel, chief executive and co-founder of HotelPlanner, notes that the number of trips taken per person is set to rise, but the duration of each trip is likely to fall.

Conscious Spending: Luxury Experiences with Value Even in the luxury market, travellers in 2024 are conscious of their spending. They seek more immersive and personalized experiences without compromising on value. Dan RoseBristow, owner of the five-star The Torridon predicts that high-end hotels will start offering all-inclusive packages to meet these demands.

Such packages provide guests with a sense of value while indulging in luxury.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility Sustainability is not just a trend; it’s a longterm commitment that resonates with today’s conscientious travellers. Hotels that embrace eco-friendly practices are likely to attract a growing segment of environmentally conscious guests.

Obtain eco-friendly certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to showcase your commitment to sustainability. Educate guests about your sustainable initiatives and encourage them to participate. Small actions, like turning off lights when leaving the room, can make a significant difference.

Personalisation and Guest Experience The modern traveller seeks unique and personalised experiences. Hotel professionals must adapt to meet individual preferences and exceed guest expectations and they can do this by collecting guest data through bookings and interactions to create guest profiles. Utilise these profiles to personalise services, offer room upgrades based on past preferences,

and provide personalised recommendations for dining and activities. Surprising guests with thoughtful gestures such as welcome amenities, birthday treats, or anniversary celebrations is a really good way to build loyalty and guests are often happy to provide feedback and reviews to continuously refine your understanding of their needs and preferences.

Marketing and Branding In a digital age, effective marketing and branding strategies are essential to capture the attention of potential guests.

Social media, engaging content and email marketing will continue to resonate this year.

Employee Training and Wellbeing The well-being of staff is also critical to success in 2024. Motivated and well-trained staff play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

It’s never been more important to promote a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout and turnover among your dedicated team.

Monitoring and Adapting Actively seek and analyse guest feedback to identify areas for improvement, ensuring that guest satisfaction remains a top priority. Stay informed about market trends, competitor strategies, and emerging technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Be open to adopting new technologies and innovative solutions that enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. Maintain agility in your approach, always prepared to pivot and make changes swiftly in response to shifting market dynamics.

In conclusion, 2024 presents both challenges and opportunities. By embracing these trends and considerations, hotel professionals can position themselves for success in the year ahead. The key lies in understanding the changing preferences of guests and adapting to provide memorable experiences that cater to their needs.

HOTELSCOTLAND • 15

FUTURE-PROOFING THE CAIRNDALE 16 • HOTELSCOTLAND

INTERVIEW

BY SUSAN YOUNG The Cairndale is a family-owned Dumfries hotel which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.

It is currently in the midst of a multi-million-pound refurbishment which will see the creation of a new spa facility, restaurant and bar. I caught up with Matthew Wallace Senior and his son, also Matthew, to find out more about the family business and their latest developments.

W

hen I arrived at The Cairndale Hotel I was asked who I was here to see – Matthew Junior or Matthew Senior, which rather threw me, both I replied. And that’s how I came to be interviewing father and son team the Wallaces.

Matthew Snr has been a partner in the business for the past 40 years, having persuaded his father, a successful butcher, and his three brothers to buy the building, but it was only in March 2020 that he became sole proprietor after buying his brothers out.

But he wasn’t running the business solo for long, because Covid brought his son back into the fold.

Matthew Jnr., now 27, although starting out his hospitality career with the family business, had headed for the bright lights of London and then New York.

But he was following in his father’s footsteps. Matthew Sr. originally studied Maths and Chemistry at St Andrews, but he didn’t take to it, and instead dropped out and went to hotel school at Ross Hall instead. His first placements included the Cally Palace in Gatehouse and the Kenmore Hotel in Kenmore before joining Swallow Hotels at the Royal County Hotel in Durham on his graduation. He then moved to Rookery Hall. But he obviously had some of his father’s entrepreneurial spirit because while there he started to take an interest in hotels for sale and in the early 80s, he took his father to look at the Cairndale Hotel in his hometown of Dumfries. He explains, “My father wouldn’t have come to look around it if he hadn’t been interested. He was the sort of guy that didn’t see the point of going to a BMW showroom if you were not going to buy one! We then talked to the bank, and because my father had a very good business, we were able to get the loan.”

Matthew Snr. was only 23 at the time, and unfortunately his father died only five months later. His death left Matthew Snr. and his three brothers running the family businesses, which as well as the hotel, also included the butchers and a filling station.

Matthew Jnr. followed in his father’s footsteps. He always wanted to work in hospitality, and while still at school he took it upon himself to get some five-star experience in London.

He tells me, “I went to work in the kitchen at five-star hotels such as Claridge’s and The Goring. It gave me the appetite to do an International Hospitality Management degree at Oxford Brookes. While there I also spent time working at The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane before gaining a position in guest relations at Belmond’s Le Manoir in Oxfordshire.”

After graduating he headed across the pond to New York and The Peninsula Hotel where he joined the front office team.

Then along came the pandemic. The hotel was part

of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group and initially the group moved some Chinese staff over to New York before Covid started to cause lockdowns.

So, Matthew Jr. and his colleagues were aware of Covid probably before many others. However, it took the news that flights out of New York were to be stopped, that galvanised him into action. He tells me, “I literally packed a bag, left my apartment, and I never went back. I think I was on the last flight out.” It’s hardly surprising he feels like he has ‘unfinished business’ there.

Back in Dumfries he certainly had plenty to get his teeth into.

Over the years the family had extended the hotel. In 1983 all of the 48 rooms in the hotel were upgraded to ensuite rooms. They then refurbished the empty property adjacent to the hotel, Burnock House, which was part of the original purcase, and put a link bridge to join it with the main hotel and create 12 more rooms.

Seven years later in 1990 the family invested £1m with the help of a £250K grant from the Scottish Tourist Board and opened the Barracude Club to provide locals with ‘wet weather’ facilities. At the same time, they opened a new café bar, as well as a further 16 new bedrooms on the flat roof above the leisure facilities -bringing the total number of bedrooms to 76.

The family also bought the neighbouring council property at Park House to create a new ballroom and built 15 additional bedrooms - bringing the total number of bedrooms to 91. Another million pound plus investment.

In 2020 Matthew Snr. bought his brothers out, although his timing was a bit unfortunate, because immediately after taking outright ownership Covid hit.

He says, “The two years of Covid was pretty challenging.

We had to apply for grants and furlough and spent a lot of time watching the news. But luckily when the full shutdown came, Matthew Jnr came home and with his encouragement we decided to invest in our outdoor space.

Matthew Jnr continues, “I had always wanted to redevelop our outdoor area and Covid gave us the opportunity to really make it work. We opened an outdoor cocktail bar – The Secret Garden. We then introduced three outside Domes for the Winter Garden.

Obviously, we had to jump through all the hoops in order to serve food and drinks outside. We were able to use staff from the other parts of hotel. We trained them up and when Covid eased, and fewer people used the outdoor spaces, our staff resumed their normal jobs.”

One positive that came out of the pandemic was Matthew Senior’s realisation that they were missing out on an important market. He says, “We perhaps over the years overlooked the customers on our doorstep, HOTELSCOTLAND • 17

INTERVIEW

I always feared failure, but now I realise that the mores successful you are, the further you are from failure, and that is a good feeling.”

Matthew Wallace Snr

marketing the hotel to corporate guests and tour companies. But Covid quite clearly showed us there was a local market we hadn’t tapped into.”

Last year saw the hotel celebrate its 40th anniversary and the anniversary coincided with a revamp of the hotel’s public areas including the reception and bar. They used local interior designers, tradesmen and craftsmen.

And talking of locals – now the Wallace’s are creating a Spa for their guests and the people of Dumfries. It’s the first Spa for the town. The £2m development is being supported by South Scotland Enterprise who have put £400,000 into the project.

Explains Matthew Snr., “I was aware of South Scotland Enterprise, and

18 • HOTELSCOTLAND

I knew what they could provide because I saw other businesses being supported. So, I put our plan forward for the new Spa and we got the funding. We couldn’t have done it otherwise.

“The Spa will bring people to the area, and we will be creating jobs and tourism. It will appeal to groups, our leisure business, and corporate guests too. People who were looking for a spa break were not coming to Dumfries. Hopefully they will now.”

The Spa, spa cafe and lounge area are being designed by Curveline Design and Spa consultant Claire Caddick, who also created TRIBE517 spa and skincare brand, which the Spa will use. The new Spa will include six treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, the hotel’s swimming pool is being upgraded, and there will also be a gym.

On the F&B side there is a new restaurant which will offer all day dining – which the Wallace’s hope will be a real hub for the local community to eat and drink in. It is being designed by 3 Design.

Says Matthew Snr., “We are investing in the hotel because we want to future-proof it. Perhaps we could have been just as successful not investing in the hotel, dropping our rates and trying to appeal to international group business. But we want the hotel to be as good as it can be. We are accredited Real Living Wage employers, and we get involved with Hospitality action. We’ve signed the Hoteliers Charter. We wanted to pay our employees the Real Living Wage to reward them for standing by us during Covid – they have had a hard time too. I’m glad to say staffing is not as much of an issue than it has been. It is still hard getting quality and experience, and it is not easy persuading people to come to Dumfries, but we had three Kenyan chefs who came on sponsored visas. Since they have joined, we have had no problems in the kitchen. They have a different work ethic, and their experience is phenomenal. It is really no different than when Scots went to America to earn a living. We also have a few Ukrainian members of staff. But certainly, the new salary rules around immigration mean that we would not be able to afford that now.”

I asked the two how they split their roles within the business. Matthew Jnr. smiles, “I do the nice fluffy stuff. I make things look nice. I am all about the guest experience and the detail. While dad is ‘macro’. He is all about the big picture investment and he is fantastic at seeing how a building can work as a functioning hospitality venue. I struggle to do that.”

Says Matthew Snr., “This is a new journey for me, going forward with my own son, rather than my brothers. It has given me a new lease of life.

Now that Matthew Jnr. is on board he wants to move things forward and he takes the pressure off me.”

He concludes, “I have always feared failure, but now I realise that the more successful you are, the further you are from failure, and that is a good feeling.” It certainly is!

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Mackays Hotel Wick

Hotel on the popular NC500 3 lots available: 30 Bed Hotel, 6 Self Catering Apartments (Supplementary Letting Acccomdation) and Church Building (Separate negotiation) Award-wining Whisky Bar, No.1 Bistro and a private dining room.

Ballroom and Meeting rooms.

Privately owned for over 67 years.

For Sale £1,350,000

18 Bed Hotel ( 12 Hotel rooms, 2 Bed Annexe and 4 Garden pod rooms ) Award winning Old Ferry Bar, Loch View Restaurant, Literature Lounge, outside deck seating area Craft Gin Distillery 3 bed owners cottage Lochside location near Glencoe - Notable for Harry Potter, Monty Python & 007 Privately owned and operated for over 9 years.

Offers Over £1.45m

Victoria Square & The Orangery Restaurant Stirling

5 Star Restaurant with Rooms in the Kings Park area of Stirling 10-bed boutique hotel in a detached Victorian villa beneath Stirling Castle Private gardens, Resident’s Lounge Staff accommodation, Private Car Park Scottish Hospitality Award Winner Boutique Hotel of The Year 2019 Offers Over £1,350,000

The Victoria Hotel Kirkcaldy

Lounge Bar, Dining Room, and Function Room (120) on ground floor Private car park 21 refurbished ensuite letting bedrooms Fully fitted commercial kitchen Fully staffed, popular function venue Offers over £895,000

HOTELSCOTLAND • 19

W HOTELS EDINBURGH

BY SUSAN YOUNG

W

Hotels Edinburgh is a striking hotel.

It may have only been only a couple of months but it is already making its mark.

The hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 hotel brands was inspired by the best of Scottish culture and history.

The 12-storey Ribbon Building at the St James Quarter has a striking exterior façade, evoking the celebratory spirit of Edinburgh. There is no doubt it is a modern-day landmark in the heart of the city.

Local Interior designers Jestico + Whiles have harnessed locally-rooted influences and creative collaborations throughout W Edinburgh’s design.

It’s top floor terraces offer guests breath-taking, 360° views from Arthur’s Seat to the sea while igloos on the roof terrace allow guests and locals to enjoy the view.

The hotel comprises three distinct buildings positioned around St. James Square: the Ribbon Building, James Craig 20 • HOTELSCOTLAND

HOTEL FOCUS

Walk, and the Quarter House, with a total of 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces, which offer a new perspective on the city.

James Craig Walk is a heritage listed terrace dating from 1775, that epitomises the character of historic Edinburgh, with its robust, honest stone façade, high ceilings, and tall sash windows. Newly built and interlinking with the Ribbon Building, the Quarter House is also predominantly a stone façade, inspired by traditional Edinburgh architecture.

In contrast, Interiors draw influence from the elements of the coastal city built on volcanic rock, with fire and water providing juxtaposed inspiration throughout. Dark ‘charred wood’ panelling in many of the public areas is complemented by striking copper touches including a fringe ceiling feature in the W Lounge.

Volcanic rock features in the Welcome Desk, while the W Lounge bar and mini-bars use tonal hues throughout, a nod to local with thistle and woad blue.

HOTELSCOTLAND • 21

HOTEL FOCUS

The hotel also boasts the W Hotels brand’s signature Sound Suite recording studio, a first for the UK and the second in Europe, empowering musicians, podcasters, DJs, and artists to create and record inspired by Edinburgh’s diverse influences.

Spanning 1,600 square ft with iconic views of the Edinburgh skyline, the Extreme Wow Suite (the W Hotels spin on the Presidential Suite) offers a social living area with a dining room and unique rock bar inspired by the city’s volcanic beginnings. The guestroom features a playful, round super-king-sized bed and walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom has a free-standing bath, private sauna, walk-in shower and vanity while the suite’s expansive private terrace is ideal for entertaining with unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle.

W Edinburgh also has three innovative dining concepts. The top floors and panoramic terraces of the hotel are home to the country’s first SUSHISAMBA restaurant alongside a buzzing iteration of the W Lounge, and a Brazilian-inspired speakeasy named João’s Place.

There’s also an Away® Spa and FIT® fitness centre.

22 • HOTELSCOTLAND

COMPANY PROFILE

L

aings is a famiily-owned Scottish business which has supplied the hospitality sector for over 30 years. In that time, it has built relationships with boutique hotels, international brands, exclusive use venues, visitor centres, bars and restaurants. In some cases, its partnership has spanned more than a decade, with projects completed in multiple phases totalling hundreds of rooms. To date Laings has completed 100% of its hotel supply and fit projects on time, or ahead of programme.

Its expert team will visit your hotel, host meetings with key personnel and thoroughly research the technical aspects of your project to create a unique design which is tailored to the space and style of your establishment.

Laings will provide a complimentary design and consultation service.

Its designers’ will bring your project to life in 3D visual format and discuss every detail with you, making alterations until you are completely satisfied.

Laings specialist team provides a full turnkey service, from survey and design, through to project management, installation and aftercare. It works flexibly to suit the specific requirements of every customer and project, whatever its scale or intended market, operating on a Supply

Only or Supply & Installation basis.

The company also understands the challenges of refurbishing while in operation and work hard to minimise disruption and maximise occupancy and takes pride in the fact that is has delivered every hospitality project on or ahead of schedule.

Some projects Laings has completed: Hilton Grand Vacations: Craigendarroch- 194 bathrooms completed in four phases. All completed on budget and ahead of schedule Meldrum House - First project completed 2009 - Supply Only basis 13 luxury bathrooms in The Stable Block; 28 Luxury bathroom in the hotel extensions.

Crieff Hydro Hotel - Projects include The refurbishment of 230 ensuites in a classic contemporary style. Creation of the Leigh Building providing traditional, high specification products in 10 luxury suites. There furbishment of all ensuites at a lower cost, in a classic contemporary style at The Murraypark Hotel. The Hydro’s sister hotel in Crieff.

“The organisation and workmanship that your team have provided, and so quickly is second to none and we will never look anywhere else for the next phases of refurbishment at the hotel.

Well done to you all at Laings – amazing!”

Ross Spence Managing Director The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa

Want to see what Laings can do for you?

Visit the website www.laings.com or talk to a member of the Laings Commercial team today on 01467 620311 Inverurie Business Park, Oldmeldrum Road, Inverurie Aberdeenshire AB51 0ZJ Tel: 01467 620311 info@laings.co.uk

HOTELSCOTLAND • 23

THE SOCIAL HUB GETS SET TO OPEN

T

he Social Hub will debut in Glasgow in April at Candleriggs Square. This will be the first UK location for the community-focused hybrid hospitality concept.

The Social Hub Glasgow will be the 18th property to open in Europe for the Amsterdam-based company, with other locations currently operating in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain where a diverse community – including travellers, students, business people, neighbours and more – come to learn, stay, work and play.

This £90m hybrid hospitality concept features hotel rooms and extended stay and student rooms (494 in total) through to spaces to work and meet, such as large co-working facilities, dynamic meeting and event spaces, a large community kitchen, restaurants, bars, and gyms alongside a bustling schedule of curated purpose-driven events, workshops and social moments.

Founded by entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor, who grew up in Edinburgh, The Social Hub believes a better society is created when people with vision and talent come together from all walks of life.

The Social Hub Glasgow will feature one of the city’s largest rooftop bars as well as a restaurant and bar serving a range of international and locally-inspired food and drink options throughout the day. A shop will also offer grab-and-go food options as well as essentials, and curated local & The Social Hub products.

24 • HOTELSCOTLAND

It will also offer a number of extended stay studios featuring in-room kitchenettes, ideal for digital nomads and extended business travellers, who may fancy a quiet night in once in a while. The average nightly room rate for a hotel stay is £105.

Students can book a variety of rooms available, with access to a community kitchen with all utensils, onsite laundry, study spaces, gym membership, monthly linen and room cleaning services, high-speed WiFi utilities and maintenance, and free bike rental.

The Social Hub also has room for up to 222 co-workers daily. The Social Hub Glasgow offers flexible memberships, to dedicated desks, through to 20 private offices. Membership also includes use of the gym and the ability to join in a range of networking events and workshops ensuring an inspiring space where connections grow, ideas spark and change happens.

CEO & Founder of The Social Hub, Charlie MacGregor, said: “I am so proud to be launching The Social Hub in the country I grew up in and where I began my professional career, getting hands-on experience and inspiring a business model that evolved into what is now The Social Hub. As pioneers in the hybrid hospitality industry, I am excited to be back home and to see the impact our Glasgow Hub will bring to the community through our spaces and experiences, ones that blur the boundaries of traditional hospitality offerings through our relentless ambition to create a better society, together with all those who walk through our doors.”

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PEOPLE

JOE GREEN JOINS KLARENT HOSPITALITY AS MD OFTRANSACTIONS

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larent Hospitality has appointed Joe Green as Managing Director of Transactions. He will lead the hotel investment and management company’s growth plan across the UK and Europe, following its recent acquisition of The Caledonian in Edinburgh.

He will be responsible for seeking and finding new investment opportunities.

He joins Klarent Hospitality from CBRE where he worked for three years as Head of UK Brokerage, advising current and prospective clients on the hotel selling and acquisition process. Prior to that he was Head of Transactions and Development at Amaris Hospitality.

Joe said, “I’m excited to be joining Klarent Hospitality to help grow the group’s already impressive portfolio and support its long-term growth strategy to deliver the best brands and experiences for consumers.

Alongside the great talent in the business, I am incredibly optimistic about Klarent Hospitality’s future plans.”

Klarent Hospitality CEO Peter Stack said, “The hotel market in the UK and Europe has shown promising signs of recovery in 2023.

As a seasoned leader, Joe brings considerable skill and transactional experience which will be invaluable to grow our portfolio and secure our position as a leading hotel franchise partner.”

26 • HOTELSCOTLAND

Trainee Managers secure managerial roles within Crieff Hydro Family The next generation of Scottish hospitality leaders have taken a huge step forward in their careers, after successfully completing a top industry qualification.

Jasmine Ritchie, Shania Beaty, Georgia Williamson, Ellie Anderson, and Vianney Lemoine have secured permanent managerial roles within the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, after completing a qualification in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership at SCQF Level 7.

The group were presented with their certificates by group CEO and chairman Stephen Leckie and director Fiona Leckie at a recent celebratory dinner

held at Crieff Hydro.

Stephen Leckie, CEO and chairman of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said, “My sincere congratulations goes to Jasmine, Shania, Georgia, Ellie and Vianney as they take the next steps in their careers within the group.

“Our teams continue to lead the way in nurturing new talent within Scotland’s hotel and hospitality industries, and our trainee managers programme is a real testament to that.

“I look forward to watching each of these individuals grow and continue to develop their skills and knowledge within their roles in the years to come.”

Sarah Jane Anderson joins Crossbasket Castle Sarah Jane Anderson has joined Crossbasket Castle as Business Development Director as the business invests £15m in the hotel’s facilities. She has joined the senior management team to help bring the new development to the market.

Before joining Crossbasket Sarah Jane was the Business Development Manager for Little’s Chaffeur Drive which she joined after nearly five years as Wedding and Events Manager at The Busby Hotel.

She also was President of SITE Scotland: Society for Incentive Travel Excellence for the period 2022/23.

PEOPLE

MCMILLAN TAKES THE REINS AT MACDONALD AVIEMORE RESORT

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enny McMillan has taken the reins at Macdonald Aviemore Resort to help drive customer growth in both the local area and further afield.

Kenny returns to Aviemore, where he first trained as a sous chef between 2004 and 2007, with a wealth of experience gained across Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. In 2009, he was named regional executive chef and then group executive chef in 2012, becoming more involved in the business side of food as well as its delivery.

His passion for quality produce and firstclass service was recognised by industry peers when Kenny was named executive chef of the year at the 2015 Scottish Hotel Awards. As North of Scotland executive chef, Kenny oversaw the development of numerous properties throughout the UK and Europe – including consulting for some of the company’s key Scottish locations.

In 2019, he was named general manager of Macdonald Drumossie Hotel in Inverness following a similar management spell at Pittodrie House Hotel, near Inverurie.

Welcoming Kenny’s appointment, Gordon

Fraser, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts’ group chair, said, “We are delighted, and indeed privileged, that Kenny has agreed to become managing director at our Macdonald Aviemore Resort.

“The commercial, operational and leadership skills that Kenny has successfully demonstrated in his career to date when applied to his new role will give a wonderful boost to our valued staff at the resort and will also give Kenny the further career challenges and development that he fully deserves, to further enhance the Macdonald Aviemore Resort as a world class leisure and conference destination.

“On behalf of the board, I wish Kenny every success in his new role.”

Kenny McMillan, managing director at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, said, “I’m extremely pleased to have accepted the challenge of managing a truly world-class destination here in the north of Scotland. It really is a one-of-a-kind setting where we are proud to offer something for people of all ages, with a host of outdoor activities on our doorstep.“

APEX HOTELS APPOINT NEW NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Stewart Campbell, has been named a Non-Executive Director of Apex Hotels and joins later this month.

Stewart, who Managing Director of RBH (formerly Redefine/BDL Hotels) until 2017, has more than 20 years experience in hotels and has operated over 100 hotels in the UK and Ireland, from limited service to luxury and from 30 bedrooms to 930 bedrooms. He also holds several Directorship in hospitality businesses including SRS Hotels Aberdeen.

Welcoming him to the board, Apex Hotel’s Chairman Ian Springford said, “It’s an exciting time at Apex Hotels, where we are continuing to invest in the business. Stewart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the sector, both at an operational level and on the acquisition and opening of new hotel properties to support our growth ambitions. I am delighted Stewart is joining us and I am very much looking forward to working with him.”

Stewart said, “It is a privilege to join such a strong hospitality business at such an exciting time for the industry. I have long admired Apex Hotels which deliver an exceptional guest experience in key hotel markets throughout the UK. The company’s values of Trust, Passion, Friendliness and Teamwork align with my own personal values which is important for me.

“I look forward to working with the Board and the whole Apex Hotels team to continue the success story by delivering fantastic guest experiences in great hotels assets.”

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HOTELSCOTLAND • 29

HIT EVENTS HIT closed the year with a terrific Christmas party and the started the New Year with a Bollywood Burns Supper in London which was great fun.

Here’s hoping the hardworking Events team at HIT managed to get a break over the intervening weeks.

30 • HOTELSCOTLAND

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