Troubled 5-star resort set for April relaunch
The new managers promised a new open-door policy, competitive pricing, and guaranteed five-star service and facilities when it opens to guests on April 3.
Overnight stays, which once cost more than e400, are now available for just e97.50 per person sharing to celebrate the relaunch.
The hotel, a restored 17th-century manor house, set on a 220-acre site that includes an 800-year-old castle, an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, and spa and fitness centre, opened amid great fanfare in August 2007.
Managed by the Capella hotel chain, it oozed exclusivity and its high prices were the stuff of legend.
Despite its sumptuous surroundings, it struggled to attract enough paying guests and Capella ceased involvement before Christmas after the hotel’s developers, the Supple family, cut ties with its management group, West Paces Hotel Group.
The hotel has remained closed since while talks with the new operator were finalised.
Yesterday, it was announced that Castlemartyr is the first hotel to join the Dromoland Collection — a new hotel brand portfolio which also includes the prestigious Dromoland Castle.
Both are also members of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group.
Dromoland Collection managing director Mark Nolan said he realises he is taking over Castlemartyr at a difficult time for both the economy and tourism industry.
But he said he is confident that what they have to offer at the hotel, spa and golf course, combined with competitive pricing, will ensure the business is a success.
“We have a great team in place now. We can keep our cost base down — things like sales, marketing and labour — by sharing the costs across the two properties,” Mr Nolan said.
“We can get a lot of efficiencies and run more economically. That allows us to be more competitive in pricing. That combined with Dromoland’s reputation over the last 20 years will ensure that we can replicate Dromoland’s tradition of excellent service to all guests.”
He said while the North American tourist market has reduced substantially this year, the Irish, British and European market will fill the void.
Up to 100 people will be employed at the Castlemartyr Resort — 27 of whom worked with Capella. The Dromoland Collection hopes to add a third hotel — located on the east coast — to its brand soon.
nwww.castlemartyrresort.ie
