07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Luxury Scottish hotel loved by Beyonce and Harry Styles reopens after £20mil makeover
Originally built in the 19th century, the hotel is just a short drive from Glasgow
A luxury hotel near Glasgow, known for attracting A-listers such as Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé and George Clooney, has reopened following a spectacular £20million makeover. Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort, nestled in a 240-acre estate in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, is only a ten-minute drive from Glasgow International Airport.
The five-star retreat now promises a new era of opulence after undergoing a major renovation under new ownership. The mansion was originally built in the 19th century by renowned architect Sir Robert Smirke for Major General Robert Walter Stuart, the 11th Lord Blantyre, Scottish Daily Express reports.
The huge estate was inspired by Lord Blantyre's travels and designed to entertain guests from the south and abroad. He requested a bold and lavish architectural style that would set Mar Hall apart from traditional neoclassical Scotland.
Lord Blantyre was shot and killed in Belgium in 1830, with his dream home unfinished. His wife, Fanny, continued to live there and it became a social hub for the elite of Scotland.
As time moved on, changes were afoot at Mar Hall. It served as a hospital during wartime but it began to fade as we approached the new millenium and restoration started in 2004. It opened as a luxury hotel in 2010 and was also used as the training hub for the Scottish national team for several years.
Dubai-based Dutco Group acquired the estate in 2024 after the hotel entered administration the previous year. The group launched an ambitious plan to reposition the historic mansion as a world-class destination.
The resort now offers 74 individually designed bedrooms, including eight junior suites, three grand suites and a selection of new spa garden suites. Guests can also stay in one of the private lodges tucked away in the surrounding ancient woodland.
At the centre of the estate is an 18-hole championship golf course, alongside extensive event spaces suited for weddings, corporate events and large private functions.
Inside, the transformation continues with the addition of two new restaurants, two bars, and a private cinema with seating for 22. A gaming room and billiards room are also set to open in the near future.
A key feature of the renovated hotel is The Gallery, a central social hub that blends luxury with relaxation.
With a marble-topped champagne bar, casual seating, reading corners and a grand piano once played by the likes of Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran, it serves as the heart of the guest experience.
Afternoon Tea will be offered in The Gallery, curated by the resort's award-winning executive pastry chef Szilard Szentesi. Guests can also enjoy a fine dining experience at The Dining Room, which serves a signature menu inspired by "Scottish flavours".
For those seeking a more spirited evening, the on-site cocktail bar Slàinte will serve a selection of handcrafted drinks by head mixologist Chris Mullen.
Mullen has created a menu inspired by the rich history of Mar Hall, aiming to bring its story to life through every sip.
Beyond fine dining and spa indulgence, the estate offers a wide range of outdoor pursuits including falconry, archery, axe-throwing, clay-pigeon shooting, hiking, cycling and off-road 4x4 excursions.
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Guests can even book helicopter tours to take in the breathtaking Scottish scenery from above.
The resort's upgraded spa features a 20-metre swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms and a full treatment menu including massages and bespoke therapies.
Further investment is already underway, with plans to add more private woodland lodges, upgrade the golf clubhouse and expand the spa facilities.
