Donald Trump Balmedie hotel gets five-star rating

Donald Trump: Five-star hotel award. Picture: John Devlin

MacLeod House and Lodge at Trump International Golf Links at Balmedie won the official five-star recognition from VisitScotland.

The award follows concerns about the looming closure of Aberdeen’s historic Marcliffe Hotel, which is due to shut in March next year.

Its loss - to make way for a luxury housing development - would have left the north-east without a five star venue.

MacLeod House and Lodge, which boasts 19 rooms, is a Baronial mansion house which has been restored and upgraded to offer guests the highest quality accommodation and other facilities.

Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded five-star hotel status by VisitScotland.

“Quality and service are at the core of everything that we do, and this is great recognition for our team.”

Philip Smith, VisitScotland regional director, said major international events - such as this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and the Scottish Open in Aberdeen - had thrust Scotland into the international spotlight like never before, making the quality of the country’s visitor attractions more important than ever.

He said: “Golf tourism is hugely important to the region - and indeed Scotland - and I would like to congratulate everyone at Trump International Golf Links on this marvellous achievement,

“Five-star status shows visitors, many of whom come from overseas, that they can expect a fantastic and enjoyable experience.”