Starwood lines up third Irish hotel
Starwood has announced that it is opening a third hotel
in Ireland, with the signing of the agreement to manage Killeen Castle,
a Luxury Collection hotel in Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland, which will
open in early 2009. Starwood is working with Irish property company Snowbury Ltd to develop
the 179 room luxury golf and spa hotel, which will incorporate the
existing historical structure of Killeen Castle with new-build
facilities to comprise a total of two restaurants, three bars, 1,357 m2
of meeting space and gift shop. Guests will also be able to take
advantage of an exclusive 1,000 m2 health club and spa, including
swimming pool, and avid golfers will enjoy an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus
signature golf course, club house, and Dave Pelz Golf Academy.
Killeen Castle is a historical castle built by the de Lacy family in
1181. In 1841, the ninth Earl of Fingal demolished the original castle
and erected the building standing today. County Meath is known as the
Royal County as it was once the territory of the High Kings of Ireland.
The abundance of historic monuments within the present day boundaries
testifies to the ancient importance of the region. Some of the most
important historic sites and monuments in Ireland are located within
County Meath.
The hotel will be 40km north of Dublin and approximately 30 minutes by
car from Dublin International Airport. The hotel’s location and
excellent golf and spa facilities, in addition to its proximity to
Dublin and the main airport will appeal to both business and leisure
travellers.
This hotel is the second hotel announcement for Ireland for Starwood in
the last year. On 5 May this year the multi-branded hotel company opened
the new Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa, Cork, as the first entry
of Starwood’s most global hotel brand into the Irish market. The first
hotel in Ireland was the Westin Dublin which opened in 2001.
Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Europe, Middle East &
Africa said, ‘We are thrilled to be announcing a third hotel for
Ireland, particularly so soon after the opening of the Sheraton Fota
Island Golf Resort & Spa in Cork. This hotel introduces a third Starwood
hotel brand to Ireland and increases Starwood’s commitment to Ireland
while further expanding on the wonderful golf and spa resorts we can
offer our guests around the world. We are delighted to be working with
Snowbury Ltd on this new hotel and we hope this development is the
beginning of a long term partnership with them, to establish Killeen
Castle as one of the premier luxury golf and spa resort hotels in
Europe.’
ADVERTISEMENT
Brian Wallace, Director, Snowbury Ltd, said, ‘We chose Starwood because
The Luxury Collection is the perfect brand for Killeen Castle. This
development has the potential to become one of the best in Ireland, and
with Starwood already having a presence in Ireland and a proven track
record with the success of the Westin Dublin, they make an ideal hotel
management partner for us.’
In addition to the Westin Dublin and Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort &
Spa, Cork, Starwood Hotels & Resorts also operate 8 hotels in the UK,
including the Westin Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire; the Sheraton Grand
Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh; Le Meridien Piccadilly; Sheraton Belgravia; the
Sheraton Park Tower, Knightsbridge and the Sheraton Skyline.
Starwood has also been nominated this year for a
target="_top">
World Travel Award as World’s Leading Hotel Brand.
——-