One of Scotland ’s most decorated golf hotels will be celebrating at this year’s International Golf Travel Market, which will be held from 11-14 November in Catalunya Spain . The four Gold Star Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course, which enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2013, will be exhibiting throughout the show on VisitScotland’s stand (C520).
Confirmation of the hotel’s attendance follows what representatives describe as an “exceptional 12 months” at the Aberdeenshire resort. It began in April when Meldrum House was awarded Golf Hotel of the Year and Event Hotel of the Year at the 10th annual Scottish Hotel Awards in Glasgow . During the ceremony, the venue’s manager, Peter Walker, also received the Rising Star of the Year title.
Later, Meldrum House was named the Best Hotel in the North East & Tayside at the Scottish Thistle Awards – an award that automatically earned its place at the national finals which will take place in November. That, along with being nominated as the UK ’s Best Small Hotel at the prestigious International Hotel Awards; the winners of which will also be announced in November, has meant 2013 could be a momentous year for the hotel.
“It has been a wonderful year,” said the hotel’s CEO Andy Burgess. “Over the last few years we have pushed forward with a number refurbishments and developments that have created a unique property with exceptional facilities. Our hard work was recognized by organisations like Golf Tourism Scotland and VisitScotland in 2011, which was wonderful. But if I am being honest, I thought it would be tough to beat what we had achieved, but we have, and that comes down to the special team we have at Meldrum. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. It has been an exceptional 12 months.”
Along with a packed trophy cabinet, Meldrum House has also experienced a massive boost to the golf side of the business with year-on-year bookings at its 18-hole championship course up by 400%. As Walker explained, the massive hike not only reflects a surge of interest in golf but also Meldrum House’s growing reputation as a notable golf retreat.
“The figures are remarkable – they’ve smashed all previous records which is exceptional,” he said. “These are exciting times for the golf industry in the north east and across Scotland generally. The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen next year will only bolster that interest which is something to look forward to. But our championship golf course and world-class academy run by Neil Marr, the SGU’s under-18s boys’ national head coach, are already attracting golfers who want to explore this area. There is simply no other property in this part of Scotland that can offer the kind of facilities, top-tier accommodation and catering dominated by local produce that we have, and that makes us stand out from the crowd.”
Located just 15 miles from Trump International and other top-quality courses like CrudenBay , Murcar Links and Royal Aberdeen, it is easy to see why Meldrum House has become the first choice for golfers looking for a luxurious golf break in the north east of Scotland . With direct flights to Aberdeen from across Europe there is also growing interest from further afield.
“This is the fifth year Meldrum House has exhibited at IGTM, and each year it gets better and better,” Burgess said. “The show gives us an opportunity to meet up with our contacts from around the world and show them what Meldrum House and Aberdeenshire is all about. If this event is anything like last year, it’s going to be a busy week.”
Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course www.meldrumhouse.com