Co. Cork's Castlemartyr Resort has been purchased by the owners of Co. Kerry's Sheen Falls Lodge and Dublin's Trinity Townhouse Hotel, Singapore-based Doctor Stanley Quek and Peng Loh.
Castlemartyr Resor'’s hotel opened in 2007 as a Capella-branded 109-bedroom property, and the resort employs 250 full and part-time staff in high season.
Set on 220 acres of formal gardens, pastures and woodlands, Castlemartyr Resort comprises a 17th century manor house connected to a glass-fronted contemporary wing.
The manor house includes 11 individual suites and a 60-seater restaurant.
The resort’s contemporary wing includes a spa, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a grand ballroom and conference facilities.
Additionally, the restored chapel of the house is used as a cocktail bar, there is an 18-hole golf course designed by Ron Kirby adjacent to the house, which includes a clubhouse with dressing room facilities, a restaurant and a shop, and there are also 38 self-catering cottages and lodges on the grounds of the resort, which are a mixture of two and three-bedroom properties.
Refurbishment
A major investment programme is planned to refurbish the resort's common areas, bedrooms and grounds, starting with the manor house to add contemporary comforts to its interiors. The refurbishment will be influenced by the designs of Sheen Falls Lodge and Trinity Townhouse Hotel, which mix architectural elements with modern detailing.
New Owners Statements
Quek stated, "We are very excited to be the new owners of Castlemartyr Resort. This is a very significant purchase for us and demonstrates our commitment and confidence in the Irish hospitality market. It is a beautiful country property, rich in history, and is an important employer and amenity in the local area."
Meanwhile, Loh said, "Over the past five years, we have actively sought opportunities to add Irish hotels to our portfolio. Castlemartyr is a wonderful addition. It is an easily accessible hotel for the domestic and international market, with much charm and many attractions. We look forward to ensuring the continued success of the hotel."
© 2021 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
