Dunalastair Hotel Suites
Setting the new benchmark for modern luxury in the Scottish Highlands, Dunalastair Hotel Suites in Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, reopened its doors in May 2017, following an extensive two year, multi-million pound renovation, led by High End developer Henley PLC redefining 5* Iuxury in Scotland.
Dunalastair Hotel Suites was first converted into a hotel at the turn of the last century and was originally constructed as a local highland sporting lodge.
Led by a team of award-winning architects and designers, the hotel reopened as a unique and modern five-star boutique hotel of true pedigree.
Dunalastair Hotel Suites is the new blueprint for 5* opulence in Scotland and the first of its kind in the Highlands, giving couples, families and groups the chance to recharge, reconnect and discover the best of Scottish hospitality in a contemporary environment.
Embodying authentic, Scottish charm in a modern setting, the hotel features unsurpassed attention to detail with handcrafted and innovative architectural features, bespoke furniture and a modern colour palette, making guests and visitors feel they are in a contemporary home away from home.
Nassar Khalil, Director of Hotels and Leisure at Henley PLC said: “We at Henley were determined to make this historic beautiful building a 5* property that caters for discerning guests who are looking for an oasis to switch off and relax without compromise. The natural beauty that this part of Scotland presents is too much of a temptation not to create a 5* destination. The vision I had in mind for this project is personal and unique. Having designed and launched other high end hotels for many other clients, it is only right and proper that I make my own even more special and therefore deployed all of my experience and expertise alongside Henley’s development expertise to create a special product. It is without exception fulfilling and satisfying to see it all come into fruition in exactly the way we anticipated.
“It is a great achievement to have opened the hotel after two meticulous years of dedicated attention to detail, drive and hard work. We did not want to leave any aspect of the design out of sync with our luxury vision and therefore ensured every corner of the hotel oozes attention to detail from colours to moulding to individually designed pieces of furniture, fixtures and fittings.
“The timescale was irrelevant in my calculations on this project, it was more important that the final product was one that we were going to be exceptionally proud of and that is precisely what we have achieved. We are already working on the next hotel in Cambridge and with many more to follow in the UK and abroad in the next few years under our new hotel brand Rogue City Hotels.”
The hotel offers 32 high-end suites, and boasts breath-taking views of the Highlands including the Schiehallion Mountain, lochs and a waterfall.
Edna’s kitchen is at the heart of the hotel and is an epicurean hub for the local community, offering modern and social fine dining experience. The beautifully designed restaurant offers visitors an authentic and unique gastronomic experience relying on the best quality locally sourced produce, hand selected by head chef Dan Merriman and serving breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Susan White managing director of the Phoenix Interior Design, who were interior designers for the scheme said: “The brief from the client was to create a ‘boutique’ feel and not too strongly themed, so as to emphasise the beautiful views of the hotel’s rolling Scottish highland landscape setting. We aimed for a warm, welcoming, luxurious feel overall.
“Initial works comprised stripping out the interior of the Victorian building, whilst trying to salvage important items including an old church pew and a costume worn by the actor Liam Neeson, who played the role of Rob Roy in the film of the same name. The costume was then mounted in a frame and is on display in the new interior.”
The hotel’s old service bells were also retained – as was the integrity of the central core of the interior, preserving items such as an original fireplace and a beautiful old central staircase, which is the first thing seen on entering the hotel. The staircase, which is divided into two sections – one half running to the left and the other to the right – was fully refurbished.
Another key element is the stained glass window on a half landing featuring shades of yellows, pinks, greens and blues, as well as grey leading – all of which has been retained and used as inspiration for the colour palette used in the lounge and dining area.
Susan White said: “We also wanted to create a really sumptuous feel so we made sure that the bedroom suites (which include studios, one-bed and two-bed suites) look really beautiful.
“The colour palette for these suites was inspired by the elements of fire, water earth and air and by the highland setting of the hotel. One of the colour schemes features blues and creams reminiscent of the sky, water and mountains; another features cream and earthy shades, again reminiscent of the mountain views from the windows,; whilst another features cream and rust shades, inspired by the snow-capped mountains in the winter. We also retained all of the beautiful old Victorian panelling in the bedrooms and made a feature of the original walk-in bay windows.”
All of the rooms are very grand, with stone and marble carera tiles being used in the oversized bathroom suites – and this had been reflected in many recent favourable reviews on Trip Advisor.
The main challenge of the project was that it was carried out in winter with all of the articulated trucks delivering everything needed for the scheme having to drive up the mountains through the snow. However the people in the hotel’s village were all very friendly and helpful.
Nassar added: “We involved Phoenix Interior Design because we wanted the interior design to be unique. In line with our concept I wanted a company that would transmit that into what I envisaged from the outset. We brought Phoenix Interior Design on board having previously worked with them on a number of separate projects. They were particularly helpful sourcing some of the bespoke furniture pieces.”
Susan White concluded: “The contract ran smoothly throughout and all of the contractors did a good job. It also helped that we have a long working relationship with Henley Homes stretching back for 15 years.”
