Welcome to the ‘aparthotel’: Luxury accommodation proves a class apart

A CLUSTER of luxury apartments located in Georgian townhouses has trumped traditional hotels to claim one of the hospitality industry’s most prestigious awards.

In what has been described as a sign of the popularity of so-called “aparthotels”, the Chester Residence, in Edinburgh’s Rothesay Place, has taken the top prize at this year’s Scottish Hotel Awards. The collection of 23 serviced apartments in the city’s west end, which boast the facilities of a traditional hotel, was named hotel of the year last night.

Owned by Graham Wood, the son of Wood Group chairman Sir Ian, the apartments have their own front door and kitchen as well as central hotel facilities. Dining options include booking a chef, or a mixologist to prepare cocktails.

Gary McLean-Quin, chairman of the judging panel, said there has been growing interest in aparthotels and he praised the accommodation on offer at the Chester Residence, which opened in summer 2003.

He said: “It is emphatically a style of hotel that has seen its market mature and become more popular. People like the additional space and privacy while, at the Chester Residence, there are public areas, an innovative bar and food operation, supported by a level of service that has patently delighted guests.

“Its owners and manager, Rory MacAleece, have created a superb modern city hotel of high quality, fashionable and yet practical, with detailed design and service independently acclaimed over several years by guests.”

Other shortlisted hotels were the Sheraton Grand and Missoni in Edinburgh, CitizenM and Grand Central in Glasgow, the Malmaison in Aberdeen, Meldrum House in Aberdeenshire, and Greywalls in Gullane, East Lothian.

There was another family success for Sir Ian after the Kyloe Grill at Edinburgh’s Rutland Hotel was named Scotland’s most exciting new hotel restaurant. It is owned by his son, Garreth.

Laurie Nicol, general manager of Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel, was named manager of the year. The Grand Central also won hotel team of the year award.

The senior manager fellowship went to Mark Gallagher, of the Thistle Glasgow.

The Road Hole Grill at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, was voted hotel restaurant of the year, while hotel chef of the year went to 39-year-old John Paul McLachlan who opened his signature restaurant at the 83-bedroom Macdonald Marine Hotel, North Berwick, last year.

The high five

THE Highlands and Islands occupied five places on the romantic hotel shortlist, with Ardanaiseig, near Taynuilt, Argyll, taking the lead award.

The turreted Alt na Craig, which looks out over Oban Bay, was named guest house of the year, while nearby the design-led Ardtorna guest house won both the bed-and-breakfast design and green awards.

The new hotel award went to the Douglas at Brodick, Arran, while Steven McLeod, head of Aurora group, which has Cairn Lodge at Auchterarder, was named hotelier of the year.