Following a $65 Million Renovation Iconic Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland Re-Opens as Part of the Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts to Host the Open Championship 2009 (United Kingdom)
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Following a $65 Million Renovation Iconic Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland Re-Opens as Part of the Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts to Host the Open Championship 2009 (United Kingdom)
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Category: Europe - United Kingdom - Industry economy
vRenovation / Addition
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2009-07-16
Following Investment by owner Leisurecorp, Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort Re-Opens to Host The Open Championship 2009 on its Renowned Ailsa Golf Course
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces that the historic Turnberry golf resort will re-open as part of the renowned Luxury Collection brand at The Open Championship 2009 following a $65 million renovation by owner Leisurecorp, a division of Dubai World company Nakheel.
Following the $65 million refurbishment, which has focused on the iconic resort’s public spaces and 40 of its 211 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, Turnberry will proudly host the word’s oldest golf championship, on its renowned Ailsa golf course from July 16 – 19, 2009.
Redesigned by acclaimed interior design firm Fox Linton Associates, Turnberry offers guests world class cuisine, a variety of outdoor activities in addition to golf, and an award winning spa experience. Ideally located on Scotland’s picturesque Ayrshire coast, Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, is the newest addition to The Luxury Collection, a glittering ensemble of the world’s finest hotels and resorts including, The Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece; Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; Mystique, Santorni, Greece; Hotel Danieli, Venice, Italy; The U.S. Grant, San Diego and The Joule, Dallas.
“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world's most enriching and desirable destinations, where nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious golfing destinations, Turnberry Resort adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection's glittering ensemble.”
This year’s Open Championship will host the world’s leading golfers who will compete on Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, widely viewed as one of the best links courses in the world. The historic golf resort has previously played host to the world’s oldest major golf championship in 1977, 1986 and 1994. Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, boasts two 18-hole Championship courses including the Ailsa Course and the Kintyre Course. In addition, the resort has a 9-hole Arran Course and renowned Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy.
“It is an incredible honour for Turnberry to once again host The Open Championship. The upgrade of the golf course and the completion of an extensive hotel restoration programme has been a key deliverable for 2009 and we have worked closely with heritage consultants to ensure that the building’s history is preserved while delivering beautifully designed hotel rooms and facilities,” said Joe Sita, Chief Executive Officer, Nakheel Hotels, the parent company of Leisurecorp. “We have dedicated close to $65 million to restore the hotel to its rightful place as the premier property in the West of Scotland.”
“Turnberry is the most scenically attractive golf course I know anywhere in the world. It has a wonderful history as a championship venue and we are excited to be coming back for the fourth time,” said Peter Dawson, The R&A’s chief executive. “The improvements to the Ailsa course made over the past two winters have sharpened the teeth of what was always a daunting course and will provide an even tougher challenge this year for the world’s finest golfers in their quest to lift the Claret Jug.”
The sophisticated transformation of Turnberry features a blend of indigenous Scottish charm and contemporary luxury that will uphold the resort’s legacy as an iconic golf destination. Redesigned by Mary Fox Linton, founder of Fox Linton Associates, Turnberry’s restored accommodations include subtle interior colours which give each room a soft, calming air inspired by the resort’s majestic coastal setting. Floor to ceiling windows flood the resort with natural light and offer breathtaking views of the Turnberry Lighthouse, Ailsa Craig and the lush links golf courses. Ensuring that Turnberry’s historical charm was preserved, Fox Linton Associates collaborated closely with Historic Scotland during the restoration of the 103-year-old resort. “Being privileged to work on an iconic building in such a beautiful coastal setting lent inspiration to the new concept,” said Mary Fox Linton. “We wanted to pay tribute to the original design by James Miller and bring it up to date to create an ambience of contemporary luxury using a colour palate and textures that reflect the hotel’s location looking out over the Irish Sea.”
Dining at Turnberry indulges the senses with a diverse menu of sophisticated and distinct culinary options. Offering spectacular views of the resort’s golf courses and the Irish Sea, original architect James Miller’s Grand Tea Lounge has been redesigned to its original splendor. 1906, open for breakfast and dinner, offers guests a casual dining experience, featuring classic brassiere inspired dishes such as eggs Benedict, ouefs en cocotte, lobster Thermidor and more. Turnberry’s Duel in the Sun bar, offering a range of specialty draft and bottled beers, wine, spirits and snacks, is the ideal setting to relax after a game of golf or to enjoy the latest sporting event on the bar’s multiple plasma screens.
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