One of Scotland’s most prestigious country house hotels is set for a £2m revamp.
The Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is to undergo an extensive refurbishment to its bedrooms as part of an ongoing modernisation programme.
The three-month modernisation project, led by Scottish design firm 10 Design, will cost £1.6m and is part of a two-year £2m upgrade of the resort, which comes with ‘minimal guest disruption’, according to a statement released by the hotel.
Announcing the refurbishment, Alistair Kinchin, General Manager of Dalmahoy, said: “This is a very exciting time for Dalmahoy. In the two years since we began operating as an independent resort we have increased our turnover and substantially increased our profits.
“We have also created seven new jobs across reservations, marketing and sales for the wider Edinburgh hospitality market. By putting a major investment into our resort, this will ensure we continue to grow in Edinburgh’s highly competitive four-star market.”
With a history dating back to the 13th century, the former home of the Douglas family, one of Scotland’s most influential families, is now a four-star, independently-run hotel with 215 bedrooms including seven suites.
Located on one of Scotland’s most prestigious estates, Dalmahoy is one of the country’s few true leisure resorts with an array of dining options, two 18-hole golf courses, swimming pool and nature walks all on site.
The latest upgrade, which includes all 208 of the bedrooms in the newer part of the hotel, marks the latest in a series of major investments that have been made since the hotel became an independent property in August 2016. The seven manor house rooms and suites were recently refurbished.
Overseen by Glasgow-based interior designer, Liz McNeill of 10 Design, which specialises in interiors with leading hotel brands across the UK, the new-look rooms are set to be decorated in a country house style sympathetic to the property’s history which dates back to 1725. A colour palette of grey mixed with bolds, and layered with checks, paisley print and Scottish artwork will provide the perfect foil to modern pieces that add a contemporary, timeless touch to the rooms.
Liz worked with local firm WJL Curtains & Upholstery in Burntisland to create all of the refurbishment soft furnishings, including chair, panel and headboard upholstering and the creation of lumbar and scatter cushions.
Liz said: “The brief was to create a design that delivered modernity – right down to details such as USB charging points – whilst keeping the traditional feel of the country house. I think we have achieved this by utilising some iconic Scottish touches such as the artwork featuring Scottish wildlife and cushions containing classic paisley pattern designs whilst ensuring that all modern conveniences are thoughtfully installed.” The work commenced in early January and is scheduled to be completed in April 2019.
Over the last two-and-a-half years, more than £2m has been invested as part of an ongoing commitment to refurbishing the hotel and country club.
This has delivered a raft of upgrades including new Hypnos beds, Smart TVs, state of the art gym equipment, a refurbished driving range, a fleet of new golf buggies, upgrades to public areas and a resurfacing of the hotel car park.
There are more developments planned in 2019, with the addition of a new CHP unit (combined heat and power) that will allow the hotel to reduce its energy consumption and lower its carbon footprint.
The renovated rooms are integral to the hotel team’s commitment to the resort’s unique offer that combines the convenience – and style – of a city centre stay with the beauty of a country retreat.
