Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, a collection of golf-centric properties in the U.K., has announced two of the latest hotel openings in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This summer, the brand will welcome Slieve Donard, located in Newcastle, Northern Ireland; and Dornoch Station in Scotland. Currently under renovation to match the family of Scottish-chic designed properties with golf motifs, the properties will reopen to sport refreshed guestrooms, public spaces and locally inspired culinary concepts led by Executive Chef Derek Johnstone, winner of the first “Masterchef: The Professionals.”
Positioned adjacent to the Royal County Down Golf Club, the 180-key Slieve Donard will be the first Marine & Lawn property in Northern Ireland and the fourth hotel in the collection. Renovations to the property began in January 2023 and upon re-launching this summer, the refreshed Slieve Donard will offer updated guestrooms, renovated F&B options, and refurbished meeting and event spaces. The hotel, built by the Belfast and County Down Railway in 1898, has welcomed various icons over the years including Charlie Chaplin, Tiger Woods, Catherine Zeta Jones and Dame Judi Dench.
The hotel is located at the foot of Slieve Donard, which peaks at 2,789 feet, and is the highest of the Mourne Mountains—ideal for hikers and nature-lovers. On a clear day the Isle of Man, Wicklow, Donegal, Wales, Scotland and the long stretch of Newcastle Beach may be seen from the summit. Located five minutes’ drive from the hotel is Tollymore Forest Park, where visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities including walking, camping, horse riding and orienteering.
Led by AJ Capital Partners’ in-house interior design studio, the decor will pay homage to the destination’s seaside location and Irish traditions, with an aim to preserve the Victorian elements and characteristics of the building. The railway-inspired lobby will have a large variety of overhanging plants and artwork, while interiors will showcase original architectural details alongside Victorian-inspired wall coverings and statement chandeliers.
The Dornoch Hotel was acquired in September 2022 and, following a major revamp, will reopen as Dornoch Station, marking the fifth hotel in the Marine & Lawn collection.
Dornoch is a small seaside destination in the county of Sutherland, accessible along Scotland’s popular North Coast 500 driving route. Situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Dornoch Station hotel sits on four acres just a short walk from the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Guests can enjoy views of the lawn and its flags, as well as the Dornoch Firth.
Upon reopening, the hotel will havw 89 guestrooms and refreshed public spaces. The lobby houses original wood paneling as the design aims to restore and celebrate the initial design features. The bar will be a warm and comfortable spot featuring green tiles celebrating the golf lawn. A Royal Dornoch Golf Club tartan adorns the walls surrounding a snooker table. Guests can leave behind golf balls representing their home courses to create an experience of pilgrimage for keen players around the world.
Seaside themes can also be found across the hotel, with shell-shaped lighting installations and wood-carved lighthouse-shaped tables in the bedrooms. The rooms mirror cozy highlands cottages; velvet lounge chairs are positioned by the windows, encouraging guests to take in the scenic Dornoch Firth views.
For more information, visit marineandlawn.com.
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