NEWS

Aberdeen Hotelier becomes Master Innholder

EASDALES HOTEL PLAN FOR WATT BROTHERS STORE

Sandy and James Easdale, the owners of McGills Buses, have submitted plans to Glasgow City Council for the redevelopment of the Watt Brothers store which they bought following its administration in 2019.

The brothers plan to turn the art-deco style building into a 125-room boutique hotel.

Architect Douglas McConville of Silverfern Consultancy has drawn up plans for the 80,000 sq ft listed building, which dates back to 1914.

Sandy Easdale said, “We wanted a classy design that would maximise the use of the huge site but would not compromise the unique character of the original building.

“The building benefits from brilliant art deco features and this will play a part in its rejuvenation.”

James Easdale added, “We are also acutely aware of the strategic shortage of hotel room supply in Glasgow and we feel this is a stepping stone on the way to restoring Glasgow to the great shopping and leisure centres like Edinburgh and other great English cities.” Stephen Gow, General Manager of The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen has become the only Scottish hotelier to be welcomed into the Master Innholders and he is one of only four new Master Innholders in 2022.

In addition to his ‘day job’, Stephen Gow is chairman of Hospitality Apprenticeship North East and chairman of the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, as well as vice-chair of Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association, founder-director of VisitAberdeen and committee member of Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland’s Grampian council. He is currently involved in the creation of an apprenticeship for chefs to combat the current shortages of staff across the North East of Scotland. He is known for his drive for hospitality professionals to combine and share collective learnings.

Stephen says, “The Master Innholders is a prestigious force within the hotel sector and is recognised as a standard bearer for the hospitality industry. There is no doubt that the hospitality industry is a highly competitive environment, but there is also a huge degree of support between hoteliers to support each other and their local economy. I am honoured to take a role in giving back to the industry in which I’ve worked since leaving school and to play a part in encouraging the next generation of talent.”

Commenting on the new Master Innholders, David Morgan-Hewitt FIH MI, chairman of the Master Innholders said: “I am immensely proud to welcome these four new members to the Master Innholders. Each has shown overwhelming passion and dedication for hospitality and are making valuable contributions not only to their own hotels, but to the industry as a whole. Congratulations to each of our new Master Innholders!”

The Inver Hotel in Caithness, part of the North Coast 500 route, if offering to help guests with rising petrol and diesel costs if they book a room on their website. They are taking 16% off the price of their usual rate “to go towards your fuel” at the time of booking if guests include their car registration plate number.

TRIGONY HOUSE HOTEL GOES ALL OUT TO ATTRACT DOG LOVERS

Dumfries and Galloway Hotel Trigony House has introduced dog training as one of the services on offer at the hotel.

Having been dog friendly for more than 20 years owner Adam Moore says, “WE are always looking for ways of adding extra services for our geusts and their four-legged friends.

“In the past these have ranged from dog reiki therapy to doggy breakfast menus. Our latest venture has been really exciting and involes offering in-house training courses for our guests and their dogs.

“We have partnered with a brilliant local trainer, Kirsten Collins, whose enthusiams, love for dogs and communication skills have proved really pouplar with our guests and their dogs, and we’ve seen great results from our two-day course.

We’ve only just started on this latest venture but it’s already attracting new guests to the hotel.”

PLANNING APPROVALS FOR HOSPITALITY PROJECTS IN SCOTLAND LEAD THE UK

The March Super Sectors report from construction industry intelligence provider, Barbour ABI, highlights some positive trends in the Scottish construction industry and shows that the pipeline for Scotland’s Hospitality Construction sector is the healthiest in the UK.

Scotland topped the Barbour ABI Super Sectors report for the value of planning applications approved in the hotel, leisure & sport construction sector for the 2nd month running. Projects valued at £222m were given the green light in March, more than double the £92m worth of applications approved in March. This is a clear indication that the hospitality sector in Scotland is beginning to rebound after the pandemic and there is a strong pipeline of projects in the sector.

Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI said, “The data for March indicates the construction industry in Scotland will continue to be strong for the short-tomedium term. The UK topping value of planning approvals in the Hotels, Leisure & Sport construction sector suggests that Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic is now beginning to take off following the final easing of restrictions, which was later than in the rest of the UK”.

The Super Sectors report is a monthly examination of Planning Application Approvals and Contract Awards by sector and region, and examines planning approvals as well as contract awards. It shines a light on the current and likely short-term future of the industry in each region. audiences are the highest spenders, especially visitors from long haul destinations to Scotland. Growing our international market is even more important as we approach our EU exit date; Scotland can no longer rely on the European and domestic market to grow a healthy visitor economy, one which is currently constrained.

“Also being as attractive as possible for international investment and open, competitive and accessible in this way is crucial for the long-term growth of Scotland’s wider economy as all communities benefit from tourism and many rely on it.”

Fortingall Hotel has been put up for sale by its owners, Robbie and Mags Cairns, who have now taken over another business interest on the Moray Coast.

The hotel, near Aberfeldy in rural Perthshire, is a Historic Scotland Grade B Listed “Arts and Crafts” property providing accommodation of 11 Letting Bedrooms, Dining Room, Lounge, Library, Private Dining/Function Room, atmospheric local’s Bar, Staff Cottage, Private Flat and sizeable garden area.

Alistair Letham, a Hotel Consultant with Graham + Sibbald, who are handling the sale commented; “The Fortingall Hotel is a beautiful and unspoilt location which itself is steeped in history. The hotel has much to offer the leisure visitor and locals alike. Whilst an already established business, the hotel has excellent potential for growth, particularly for resident owners.”

Graham + Sibbald are inviting Offers around £1,000,000 for the Fortingall Hotel.

NEW OWNERS SOUGHT FOR THE FORTINGALL

Rox Hotel Aberdeen to reopen after acquisition

The 4-star 32-bedroom Rox Hotel in Aberdee’s Market Street is set to reopen after being purchased for an undisclosed sum as a joint venture by the Singaporebased company Seacare Hospitality along with Compass Hospitality. The hotel had been on the market for £2m.

Compass is one of Southeast Asia’s fastestgrowing hospitality management companies, managing and operating a wide portfolio of 50 hospitality properties across all market segments. The Rox Hotel is the company’s 7th Hotel in Scotland and 17th in the UK. Its other Scottish hotels are located in Dundee, Dumfries, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth.

Chye Teen Lim CEO of Seacare Hospitality said, “We are thrilled to welcome the Rox Hotel Aberdeen into our diverse portfolio of projects and to once again be collaborating with Compass Hospitality. We are confident that this will be another profitable venture into the robust and enduring UK hospitality sector”.

Harmil Singh, CEO of Compass Hospitality added, “The addition of this delightful 4-star property to our expanding UK hotel portfolio demonstrates our confidence, particularly in the Scottish hospitality market, and we continue to look forward optimistically to further growth in this area.”

HIGHLAND COAST HOTELS TAKES OVER AT THE PLOCKTON INN

Highland Coast Hotels, the Highlands-based hotel company, has acquired the 14-room Plockton Inn and its adjoining seafood restaurant.

Plockton Inn joins the four hotels acquired by the group last year; Kylesku Hotel, Newton Lodge, Unapool, the Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch and the Royal Marine Hotel Brora. The Plockton Inn will retain its name and become part of the Highland Coast Hotels Collection.

Founded in spring 2021, Highland Coast Hotels is investing in and developing independentlyowned hotels in the region and supporting local communities and suppliers.

Highland Coast Hotels Chairman, David Whiteford (pictured, left) comments, “We are absolutely delighted to be acquiring The Plockton Inn, one of the West Coast’s best-loved hotels.

“It’s a daunting prospect to be picking up the baton from Kenny and Mary Gollan and Susan Trowbridge, who have nurtured and developed the hotel into such a landmark in this beautiful part of the world. However, with a clear focus on working closely with the local communities around our properties, and investing back into the local economy, we very much hope we can add even further value to the hotel and the surrounding area.

“We will continue to operate the hotel on a year-round basis, and expect to create further permanent employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly through our support of local producers and activity providers

Whilst it’s early days, we have exciting plans for the hotel which we anticipate will undergo a substantial refurbishment this coming winter.’’

The group is now setting up a Community Liaison Group in Plockton which will act as a forum for locals to give feedback on the Group’s plans. Anybody living within a 15-mile radius of the Plockton Inn will also be eligible for the new Highland Coast Hotels Community Card which provides a 30% discount in its restaurants and bars, all year round, and a 50% discount off an overnight stay at any hotel, from October to March.

Highland Coast Hotels are inviting suppliers and experience providers in the local area to get in touch. The group aims to offer opportunities for those companies to expand and develop with the potential for new businesses to be created in and around Plockton which, in turn, should create further tourism and hospitality careers. .

Jurys Inn to rebrand as Leonardo Hotels

Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland, have announced that it is to rebrand its Jurys Inn hotels to Leonardo Hotels as part of its ambitious growth strategy by the end of this year.

Jurys Inn joined the Fattal Hotel Group in 2017 and has been operating under the Jurys Inn and Leonardo brand across the UK and Ireland since then. The Fattal Hotel Group has a well-established portfolio of over 200 superior, boutique and life-style hotels that have been successfully rolled out in over 100 destinations in Europe and Israel and has been active across Europe since 2006.

The group, which operates 35 Jurys Inn hotels in the UK and Ireland, and 16 hotels under the Leonardo brand, aim to transition Jurys Inn to Leonardo Hotels and combine its key elements with the existing Leonardo brand identity and to grow the 4* and 4* superior hotel group in corporate, leisure and M&E across the UK and Ireland, adding to its overall European strategy.

Jason Carruthers, Managing Director of Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland says: “We believe that the most effective way to achieve our exciting ambitions and growth plans for the business is to rebrand Jurys Inn to the Leonardo brand – combining the key elements of the Jurys Inn operating platform with the existing Leonardo brand design and expanding reputation.”

The Group is also in the process of developing several new and existing sites across the UK. Plans are progressing in Edinburgh’s Old Town for a new 125-bedroom boutique NYX Hotel next year and a 100-bedroom extension to the rebranded Leonardo Hotel that it connects with.

Two community and tourism leaders from Sutherland have been appointed to the board of Venture North,

David Watson, 49, manager of the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, and Jo Wyke, 43, owner of Melvich Hotel on the north coast of Sutherland, have both joined the board of Venture North, the destination management organisation that promotes responsible tourism in the far north Highlands of Scotland.

David, a native of Sutherland, has more than 20 years of experience working in Economic and Community Development across the Highlands and Islands after working as a Senior Development Manager as well as the Economic Development Manager for the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Jo Wyke from the Melvich Hotel has also re-joined, having been a founder member of the organisation back in 2013 and was instrumental in the success of the Venture North Discovery Series marketing campaign in 2015.

Jo Wyke said, “I’m delighted to re-join the Venture North board and participate in shaping the future of tourism for Caithness and Sutherland. Venture North has been prolific in raising the profile of our beautiful area and in supporting and representing businesses who work within the industry here in these counties.”

VENTURE NORTH MAKES NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Tripadvisor accolades for Scots hotels

Two Scottish properties No 26 by the Sea in Oban and Ivybank Lodge in Blairgowrie are among the highest-ranking places to stay in the World according to travellers who have ranked them on Tripadvisor.

No 26 came at number 25 as one of the Hottest New Places in the World to stay while Ivybank Lodge ranked 11 in Best Small stays in the World. When it came to best in the UK - Scotland’s only luxury floating hotel, Fingal, sailed into the 20th annual Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for the third year running and came in at number 11 on the prestigious Tripadvisor category of most ‘Dreamy stays that couples love’.

While The Green Park Hotel in Pitlochry was ranked No 2 in the UK and The Lodge on Loch Goil, Loch Goil ranked ahead of Claridges and many other better-known luxury hotels.

The 2022 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on TripAdvisor over the 12-month period from 1st January 2021 until 31st December 2021.

Now in the 20th year of the Travelers’ Choice Awards for Hotels are based on travel reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor throughout 2021. This year’s awards include 11 subcategories of accommodations, including the Hottest New Hotels category. The Travelers’ Choice Awards recognize the hotels they loved most. With millions listed on Tripadvisor around the world, only the cream of the crop - less than 1% - are awarded as the Best of the Best.

No 26 has nine guest bedrooms and is decorated with contemporary art and rustic furnishings while Ivybank Lodge has six luxury bedrooms.

Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer, Tripadvisor. “We know there is not a onesize-fits-all approach to travel planning. Some travellers are looking for unique stays - ranging from cave hotels to overwater bungalows - while others are looking for a quaint B&B.”

The No. 1 Top Hotel in the entire world for 2022 was Tulemar Bungalows & Villas in Costa Rica and in the United States, The Mark Hotel in New York City ranked No. 1 in the country for 2022.

The Top 10 Hotels in the World were:

Hotel Colline de France - Gramado, Brazil

Ikos Aria - Kefalos, Greece

Romance Istanbul Hotel - Istanbul, Turkey

THE OMNIA - Zermatt, Switzerland

Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia - Urgup, Turkey

Six Senses Laamu - Olhuveli Island, Maldives

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort - Hopkins, Belize Padma Resort Ubud - Payangan, Indonesia BLESS Hotel Madrid - Madrid, Spain

Opening date set for Gleneagles Townhouse

Monday 6th June is the official opening date for the much anticipated Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh.

The 33-bedroom hotel, the first venture outside of Perthshire for the Gleneagles Hotel, will offer a members’ club and all-day restaurant, at 39 St Andrew Square.

The Townhouse and its all-day restaurant, The Spence, will open exclusively to members and hotel resident guests for the opening period before the wider public is invited to experience the venue in early summer.

Over the last five years, Ennismore Design Studio has painstakingly restored the listed building which was originally home to the British Linen Company before later becoming the Bank of Scotland. building.

At the heart of this notable building lies The Spence – an airy, social space which will offer modern style brasserie-dining which is led by Head Chef Jonny Wright, who returns to his native Scotland with over 16 years of experience. Within The Spence, a central bar sits underneath an extraordinary glass-domed ceiling serving up a seasonally rotating, locally inspired list of cocktails, local whiskies, beers, spirits, and wine curated by bar manager, Stefanie Anderson. Meanwhile, down in the bank’s former vault, Townhouse resident guests and members will have access to a dedicated training, treatments and therapies space – The Strong Rooms – which will open later in June.

The Members’ Lounge and Members’ Snug offer two exclusive spaces designed for various purposes from meetings to relaxed wine tasting events.

The roof terrace bar Lamplighters is exclusive to members and offers impressive views of the city’s medieval Old Town to the left and New Town to the right.

FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS LENDS SUPPORT TO THE HAMISH FOUNDATION

THE BALMORAL RETAINS FIVE STARS

For the second year running, The Balmoral has received a five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide and it remains the only hotel in Scotland to hold this five-star rating from the global travel magazine.

General Manager Richard Cooke said, “We are again truly humbled to be recognised with one of the most sought-after hospitality awards in the world, for the second year running. Throughout all the challenges faced by the hospitality industry over the last two years, the ladies and gentlemen of The Balmoral have shown resilience, agility and remarkable passion for our guests. We continuously strive day after day to evolve and improve the experiences offered to those guests. It’s a truly wonderful accolade to fly the flag for Scotland, being currently the only Scottish hotel to receive the Forbes Five-Star rating in 2022.”

Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, “Travel has come back strongly, and the resilient hospitality industry is creatively rallying to accommodate the increased occupancy demand for most regions. While the industry faces some lingering issues, the 2022 award winners proved ready for those challenged and more, demonstrating the best that luxury hospitality has to offer.”

A gold standard in the hospitality industry since 1958, Forbes Travel Guide’s luxury travel rating recognises the world’s finest properties. Anonymous inspectors check into a hotel for at least two nights, then test up to 900 objective standards with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travellers select the world’s best luxury experiences.

Fairmont St Andrews has pledged its support to local charity initiative, The Hamish Foundation, to help fundraising efforts for a beach walkway and viewing platform at West Sands for those with limited mobility.

The iconic venue started adding a £1 discretionary charge to each guest bill in April, with all proceeds going directly to the Hamish Foundation.

The new beach walkway, currently under construction at West Sands beach in the town of St Andrews, will allow those who have limited mobility, such as people with MS or wheelchair users, to access the world-famous beach safely and with greater ease.

Working alongside the Hamish Foundation to create the walkway is St Andrews Links Trust (SALT), Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) and the Fife Environment Trust.

The walkway is set to be completed by the end of May, just in time for visitors arriving for the 150th Open Tournament in July. Lorraine Garvie, Commercial Director at Fairmont St Andrews, said, “It is fantastic to be playing a part in supporting the wonderful Hamish Foundation, whose work continues to assist and enhance the lives of children and families based in St Andrews, Fife and our visitors from all over the world.

“We are so pleased to be part of such a meaningful project which will continue to make St Andrews more safe and accessible for both visitors and the local community.”

BAM set to deliver interiors of W Edinburgh

BAM Construction Scotland is to deliver the interiors of the 12 storey W Edinburgh hotel at St James Quarter. The contractor will fit the 244 guest rooms and public areas across the three buildings that make up the hotel after been appointed by Nuveen Real Estate.

Keppie Design has now been appointed as delivery architect by BAM to integrate its design solutions and assist with full 3D coordination of the design.

The 244 guest rooms include 42 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite (the W brand’s Presidential Suite). The rooftop will feature a SUSHISAMBA restaurant with its unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine, an outdoor terrace the W Lounge (the W brand’s hotel lobby), a signature restaurant, a W Sound Suite (a writer’s room and music studio), FIT - a workout facility - and an AWAY Spa.

BAM’s recent work has included the V&A Dundee and the Johnnie Walker Experience and it is both developer and contractor behind Atlantic Square (Glasgow) and Capital Square (Edinburgh).

Jim Ward, regional director, BAM Construction Scotland, added, “This is a prestigious, striking, and high-quality development for Scotland. BAM’s work on the Johnnie Walker Experience and V&A Dundee shows we have the pedigree and credentials to deliver such ambitious schemes.

“During the pre-construction period, our team has brought our customary collaborative approach to bear in helping de-risk and develop the design while forming a strong relationship with our partners. It is going to be as exciting to build as it will be to stay here when we complete our work.”

Edward Webb, Director of Development Management at Nuveen Real Estate, said: “We are delighted with the appointment of BAM and excited to be moving forward at pace with the interiors of W Edinburgh. The hotel is a complex fit-out across three very different buildings and architecture, and the experience of BAM will ensure the highest quality and efficiency can be delivered to enable the hotel to open in late 2023. W Edinburgh will redefine the city’s hospitality scene with its design, signature amenities and a full calendar of immersive W Happenings to complement the festival city.”

Hotelier Stuart Riddle expands hospitality portfolio and invests in the Woodside Hotel, Doune

Stuart Riddle along with his wife Joanna have over the last nine years established a portfolio of pubs, restaurants, and hotels and their latest venture is the £1,200,000 renovation of The Woodside in Doune due to open late July 2022.

Stuart who started his career working as a Commis Chef in the kitchens of AA Rosette-awarded Hotels had a successful career with national pub/restaurant groups before starting his portfolio. He became head chef at the 2 AA Rosette Dunain Park Country House Hotel (aged 25) before going on to impress in various roles including, Menu Development Manager at the Spirit Group, Catering Controller at Bellhaven Pubs and finally as Head of Food Development (premium) at Greene King.

Says Stuart, “My now wife and I had talked about having a restaurant when I was a young chef and she worked as a restaurant manager in the late 1990s, but we didn’t feel it was realistic and wouldn’t have known where to start.”

However in 2013, they took the plunge and Stuart and Joanna started their first hospitality company and embarked on a £700,000 development of the Stirling Arms to create “The Riverside - pub, kitchen & coffee house”.

“After a successful career in the corporate world and surviving several redundancy scares and numerous restructures we felt we would like to be masters of our own destiny. We also felt that we could do it better than the nationals. At that point, I was 36, I handed back my company car keys and we created The Riverside” says Stuart.

The Riverside was heavily remodelled to offer a modern 140 cover venue while still retaining the best of its heritage features. Situated on the river in the heart of Dunblane, the new Riverside was a victory, with locals embracing the refurb.

After the success of their Riverside venture, the pair invested £1,200,000 renovating The Allan Park Hotel in 2018. Located in Stirling, it was renamed “The Allan Park - pub, restaurant & coffee house w/ rooms” and transformed into a contemporary 120 cover venue with 8 letting rooms.

In November of 2021 they took ownership of their third property, The Woodside Hotel now known simply as “The Woodside”. The Woodside is located in the heart of the Forth Valley and is being heavily developed to offer a modern 140 cover venue. The opening of which is scheduled for late July 2022.

The Woodside will be accessible to residents and non-residents alike and will feature a pub, coffee house, restaurant, terrace dining, 11 letting rooms and a function suite. Renovation costs for the property are expected to reach £1,200,000.

The 3 sites will have a combined turnover of more than £3,500,000 and employ circa 90 staff. .