Mar Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in Scotland, which fell into administration earlier this year, has been acquired by Dubai-based Dutco Group, supported by investment and asset management firm Align Partners.
The sale price has not been disclosed, but the new owners have already pledged to undertake a £15 million investment programme to expand and upgrade the property to establish the resort as an international destination that will see it “rival world-class resorts such as Cameron House and Gleneagles”.
The luxury five-star hotel, which is located 10km north of Glasgow, comprises 65 hotel guest rooms and suites, two lodges, an 18-hole golf course, two restaurants, leisure, conference and banqueting facilities. Dating back to 1826, Mar Hall is formed within and around a listed Scottish baronial mansion house that was once home to the Earl of Mar.
Dutco Group and Align Partners are already drawing up a shortlist of architects and interior designers to work with, with appointments expected in January and work due to begin in early 2024. The plans include new luxury woodland lodges, revitalised leisure and spa facilities, and a refurbishment of the guestrooms and public spaces.
Dutco Group brings impressive hospitality experience to the deal which includes the delivery of its JA branded luxury hotel properties in Dubai, Maldives and Seychelles and Marriot brand in the United States. The deal comes as the latest in a string of successful hospitality acquisitions for Align Partners, following recent refurbishments across the likes of The Morrison Dublin, Curio Collection by Hilton, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa in Liverpool, and Powerscourt House & Gardens in Enniskerry, Ireland.
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.”
Chris King, Managing Director at Align Partners, added: “Mar Hall has strong fundamentals which made this hotel a solid proposition for us. In addition to its physical assets, its striking setting, coupled with its previous reputation for excellence, position it well for redevelopment.
“Our vision is to ensure it reaches its full potential and can compete with Scotland’s best 5-star hotels, restoring its luxury country club reputation. As we embark on our aspirations, the hotel remains open for business and the wedding calendar will continue as scheduled.”
Kris Aspin, joint administrators’ EY Scotland’s Head of Turnaround and Restructuring team, said: “We are delighted to secure the future of Mar Hall. We received an exceptional level of interest in the resort from around the world, underlining the attractiveness of premium Scottish hospitality assets and Mar Hall’s significant potential. We are very grateful to the loyal team at Mar Hall for their support and we wish them and the new owners all the best for the future.”
Steven Fyfe, director in the hotel capital markets team at Savills Scotland, which brought the property to market, comments: “First opened as a hotel in 2004, this is the first sale of the property in almost 20 years, which will see the purchasers breathe new life into the iconic five-star resort. It is testament to the hotel’s excellent reputation that we were able to secure such a quick and efficient sale, following a positive closing date in November, completing in five weeks just in time for the festive period.”
The Joint Administrators at EY were advised by Savills and Addleshaw Goddard LLP. Mar Hall Hospitality Ltd (a Dutco Group company) was advised by Pinsent Masons.