Newcastle’s luxury Slieve Donard set for reopening after £16 million upgrade

16 August 2023

THE prestigious Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle reopens next month following a £16m refurbishment.

One of the province’s most famous hotels, it is set to formally reopen on September 1.

Formerly owned by the Hastings family, the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa was sold to AJ Capital Partners in a £40m deal three years ago, with the iconic Newcastle hotel reopening under its Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts brand.

Marine & Lawn specialises in hotels and resorts which sit alongside what it describes as “some of the world’s most coveted golf courses”.

In addition to the Slieve Donard, Marine & Lawn will also reopen Dornoch Station in Scotland a few days before the Newcastle complex and said both locations were “a blend of old-world charm and new-era luxury.

The revamped Slieve Donard features refurbished guest rooms, public spaces and food and beverage concepts that celebrate the distinct beauty, rich histories, and golf legacies of their iconic homes, according to the new owners.

The company already operates three other venues in Scotland, and also snapped up the Adelphi in Portrush, which is now being redeveloped.

Phillip Allen, president of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, said the team has taken great care to refurbish these storied, local gems and bring them to brand standards that meet the needs of the discerning traveller.

"We look forward to reintroducing Slieve Donard and Dornoch Station to travellers and offering a hospitality experience inspired by these world-class golf destinations.”

The Slieve Donard has 180 rooms and has been operating for 125 years.

Marine & Lawn said rich in history, the Newcastle 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, King Leopold (of Belgium), Dame Judi Dench and many more.

And the company said the new decor paid homage to Newcastle’s seaside beauty and Irish traditions, while preserving the building’s historic elements.

“Warm, welcoming interiors showcase original architectural details while textural design elements such as Victorian-inspired wall coverings and statement chandeliers bring a refreshed personality to the space,” the company said.

There will now be four restaurants within the hotel, including the existing Percy French restaurant on its grounds beyond the main hotel which has also been refurbished.

There will also be JJ Farrall’s, named after Slieve Donard’s architect, which will offer dinner, afternoon tea and Sunday lunch, while The Lighthouse Lounge is a casual spot serving seasonal Mediterranean menus with views overlooking the property.

And the Wolf Bar will serve Carlingford oysters, “platters of local cured meats and cheeses, and a number of snacks from pastries and sandwiches”.

In addition, the Slieve Donard’s famous spa will remain a key feature, the company said. Other wellness and fitness facilities include a 20-metre indoor pool, a vitality pool, steam room, rock sauna and drench showers.

The hotel’s new owner is a Nashville-headquartered real estate developer and hotel operator with more than 40 hotels across the US and Britain, including St Andrews in Scotland.

Howard Hastings — the managing director of Hastings Hotels — described AJ Capital Partners’s acquisition of the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa as “encouraging news” for hospitality and tourism in Northern Ireland.

He said it represented a boost for the burgeoning golf tourism industry which “has been an important driver of local tourism in recent years and shows significant growth potential in the future”.

Mr Hastings said he had every confidence that AJ Capital Partners would be sympathetic to the heritage of the hotel and that, under their leadership, it will continue to flourish and maintain its reputation as an iconic destination in Northern Ireland.

“This investment is a strong sign of confidence in the local market by a major international hotel operator with exciting ambitions for the Slieve Donard in the coming years. Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts is a collection of luxury hotels located in the world’s most premier golf destinations.”

Widely regarded as one of the most iconic hotels in Northern Ireland, the Newcastle hotel has served as host to several prominent golf events, including The British Amateur Championship, The Curtis Cup, The Walker Cup and, most recently, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that the Irish Open is returning to the famous Royal County Down links course next year.

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