Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort opens its doors in Scotland

LONDON – Following an extensive £20 million transformation, the five-star Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort officially opens its doors and celebrates the start of a new era, marking one of Scotland’s most significant and anticipated hotel renovations in recent years. Elevating the Scottish heritage hotel experience with a vibrant new identity, Mar Hall blends its history and elegance with a whimsical, storytelling design concept and warm-spirited, experience-driven guest service.

Mar Hall houses 74 luxurious guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars, and an enticing collection of grand spaces, cosy corners and hidden nooks to be discovered, soon to be joined by a 22-person private cinema, Gaming Room and Billiards Room.

Rooms and suites

Junior Suite

Seven categories of guest rooms and suites have been thoughtfully designed to reflect the character of Mar Hall and its stately surroundings. From Classic bedrooms curated for a cosy, restful stay to Grand Suites with the grandeur of a private residence, featuring separate lounges, grand pianos or pool tables. The Spa Garden Suites offer the added indulgence of private gardens. From the choice of colours and textures to four-poster beds and locally inspired artwork, every detail has been considered to create a sense of quiet luxury.

The Gallery

At the heart of Mar Hall sits The Gallery, a vibrant social hub for all guests to gather, connect and unwind. A marble-topped champagne bar is an opulent focal point, surrounded by casual seating, reading nooks and a grand piano that is renowned for the many famous fingers that have crossed its keys throughout the years.

The Gallery will also set the stage for Mar Hall’s signature Afternoon Tea experience – an indulgence befitting the distinguished historical visitors of the estate. Curated by award-winning Executive Pastry Chef, Szilard Szentesi, the new menu showcases an artistic selection of delicate pastries, dainty sandwiches and expertly crafted savouries, complemented by a wide choice of loose-leaf teas, Champagne and sparkling wine.

The Dining Room

Executive Chef Tony Tapia is carving a niche in Glasgow’s thriving elevated dining scene, bringing fresh local produce to guests and locals at “The Dining Room”.  A destination in its own right, The Dining Room’s innovative new menu follows the rhythm with the seasons, shining a spotlight on the finest local produce. Signature Scottish flavours are celebrated through dishes such as the “West Coast Cullen”, whilst the “Spicy Raw Beef” is served tableside as a twist on a traditional tartare.

The “Slainte” Bar

Slainté Bar

Pronounced “slanche”, Mar Hall’s new bar pays homage to the Scottish Gaelic tradition of toasting “to good health”. Slàinte’s stylish new aesthetic is interwoven with the theatre and artistry of mixology, presenting a dynamic new cocktail experience curated by Head Mixologist, Chris Mullen. Drawing inspiration from the hotel’s storied past and Scotland’s native flavours, Chris has curated a beautifully bound menu of signature cocktails, including creations such as The 180 — a floral twist on the classic whisky sour, crafted in celebration of Mar Hall’s 180-year heritage.

Guests can settle in and let the entertainment begin, enjoying cocktail flights and whisky tastings, or simply sit in intrigue whilst a selection of whimsical mixology creations are delivered to their tables (smoke and mirrors included).

The Library

The Library

Tucked away within Mar Hall’s winding corridors, The Library is a secluded space designed for storytellers from all walks of life – a place to settle into a comfortable armchair, reflect, connect or simply enjoy a quiet moment surrounded by character, charm and sweeping views across the Kilpatrick Hills and Clyde Estuary.

Experiences

The estate boasts an 18-hole championship golf course against the backdrop of the Kilpatrick Hills and River Clyde. For those craving more adrenaline, off-road 4×4 excursions set off from the hotel’s doorstep, while helicopter tours provide breathtaking aerial perspectives of Scotland’s dramatic scenery, from the Highlands to the remote Scottish Isles.

Adventure continues on the estate with a range of exhilarating activities, including falconry, archery, axe-throwing, and clay pigeon shooting. Hiking and cycling enthusiasts can explore scenic trails with Mar Hall’s fleet of rental bikes. For a taste of local culture, private distillery tours offer an introduction to Glasgow’s whisky heritage, while the concierge curates personalised itineraries that showcase the very best of Scottish hospitality.

Spa & Wellness

The spa is a stylish contemporary antithesis to the heritage main hotel, to which it is discreetly connected via a covered walkway. Guests can easily spend a day immersed in the spa experience, which features six treatment rooms set along low-lit corridors, a 20-metre swimming pool, saunas and steam rooms, and a curated menu of treatments and massages.  Spa days can be enjoyed with friends or blissfully alone, indulging in signature packages such as The Hebridean Hideout or the Scottish Luxury Spa & Dine Indulgence for a combination of spa rejuvenation and culinary nourishment.

This renovation marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mar Hall, with further plans underway for private woodland lodges, enhancements to the clubhouse, and further developments to the luxury spa.

Mar Hall was designed in the early 19th century by Architect Sir Robert Smirke for Major General Robert Walter Stuart, the 11th Lord Blantyre (1777 – 1830).  An Old Etonian and member of the Scots Guards, Blantyre was well travelled – from Holland and Spain to the southern shores of the Baltic, as well as fighting Napoleon in Egypt. Stewart briefed Smirke with a grand, fashionable and ostentatious design concept for Mar Hall, anticipating time to entertain guests from the South and abroad and enjoy the new gardens. He drew inspiration from his travels, envisioning a strikingly atypical architectural style for neoclassical Scotland.  As it started to emerge from the ground in 1828, Mar Hall seemed quite remarkable and exotic to the locals. Mar Hall was acquired in 2024 by Dubai-based Dutco Group to reposition the grand mansion as an international destination.

The article Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort opens its doors in Scotland first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.