The Kimberley Hotel on the Scottish coast in Argyll is being offered for sale in a most unusual way. The present owners will draw the name of one lucky person from 350,000 entries who pay just $10 and correctly answer three questions posted on the hotel’s website (www.kimberley-hotel.com/game).
Nearly 140,000 hopeful hoteliers have already signed on for a chance to change their lives, and are waiting for their fate to be sealed in a live Internet broadcast. The competition is now being publicised in America.
Entries are being accepted online until 30th June and the raffle will be broadcast live on the Internet in mid-July.
The property overlooks Oban Bay and the Hebridean Islands and is a few minutes’ walk from the Scottish harbour town of Oban, which is known for its whisky and close proximity to several world-class golf courses.
“After six wonderful years, my partners and I have decided that our daily jobs in Austria prevent us from spending as much time as we would like to manage this historic, panoramic and profitable property,” noted Wolfgang Baldauf, Austrian financial advisor and part owner of the Kimberley. “We thought that holding a lottery whereby one lucky person can win the hotel outright for just $10 would be an uncommon way to sell the property, and might give someone without the means to own and manage a hotel the opportunity to realize a dream. We’re very encouraged by the response thus far.”
The romantic 17-room Victorian hotel, dating from 1886, was recently modernized and completely re-furbished, remaining true to the traditional Scottish furnishings and architecture. Amenities include a highly rated restaurant, a conservatory with panoramic views, a large garden, ample parking on the grounds and even a resident ghost. A history of the Kimberley Hotel and many photographs can be found at www.kimberley-hotel.com.
The winner gets the hotel complete with staff, management, suppliers and a great many bookings for summer 2003. The only condition is that the winner continue to run the Kimberley as a hotel for the rest of the season before contemplating any other use.
In addition to the grand prize, there are 20 second prizes of a week’s stay for two at the hotel. Participants’ accounts will not be charged until the drawing takes place, which will only occur if a total of 350,000 entries are received.
In the event that the raffle does not draw 350,000 entrants, Baldauf will place the property on the conventional market. Already, four potential buyers are bidding on the hotel.
Kimberley Hotel www.kimberley-hotel.com