First Look: Mar Hall to reopen in Spring 2025

Spearheaded by independent Glasgow-based design studio, Graven, the renovation will see a complete transformation and expansion of one of Scotland’s most established heritage hotels.

Article Source: Mar Hall
Last Updated: 23 January 2025 14:55

Nestled within 240-acres of ancient woodland with views of the River Clyde, Mar Hall is one of Scotland’s most established 5-star heritage hotels. Just 10 minutes from Glasgow International Airport, the country estate features an 18-hole championship golf course, grand private event spaces, state-of-the-art leisure facilities, including a 20-metre swimming pool, and spa.

Originally designed in 1828 by Sir Robert Smirke, the architect of London’s British Museum, Mar Hall first opened as a prestigious hotel and golf resort in 2004 and has hosted celebrities and royalty, including Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Harry Styles and Brad Pitt.

The renovation follows the 2024 acquisition of the property by Dubai-based Dutco Group and joins its elite portfolio of hotels in Dubai, the Maldives, Seychelles and Edinburgh, with the £15m renovation led by investment and asset management firm, Align Partners.

Design studio Graven is masterminding a complete overhaul of the hotel’s guest rooms, suites and apartments as well as all public spaces, including the main entrance and reception, Members’ Lounge, Long Gallery, bar, restaurant and private events areas. Enticing new additions include a 24-person private cinema, Gaming Room and Billiards Room.

“We approached Mar Hall’s renovation with a deep respect for the building’s storied past, while reimagining its spaces to meet the expectations of today’s luxury travellers. The transformed Mar Hall blends timeless elegance with a standout contemporary design, allowing guests to experience the hotel’s legacy and surroundings in new, inspiring ways.” - Lisa King, Design Director, Align Partners

For the interior design, art curation and bespoke furnishings, Graven is collaborating with leading Glasgow-based studios Timorous Beasties, Art Pistol and Elegant Clutter to conceive a distinctive, sophisticated identity.

ENTRANCE & RECEPTION
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed through the original “porte cochère” (carriage porch), a unique architectural feature that leads through to a grand new reception. Paying homage to the property’s Victorian heritage, these spaces feature black and white marble floors, a commanding central chandelier and rich accents of brushed bronze and textured velvets.

BEDROOMS
Mar Hall
Accommodation will include 74 luxurious guest rooms – including three Grand Suites and eight Junior Suites – ranging in size from 25m2 to 115m2. Smaller suites (pictured below) are cosy and inviting, featuring botanical wallpaper, curving contours, soft textures and warm-toned colour palettes, complete with new ensuite bathrooms.

THE LONG GALLERY
The Long Gallery will act as a vibrant central hub of the hotel, showcasing dramatic vistas of the immaculate surrounding gardens with a central bar, with inviting sofas and armchairs and walls featuring an eclectic gallery of artwork. The impressive grandeur of this expansive space can be adapted to host unique exhibitions, private celebrations, charity and corporate events.

BAR, RESTAURANT & PRIVATE EVENTS
Located at the end of the gallery with outstanding panoramic views over the Kilpatrick Hills, a newly refurbished restaurant offers an intimate dining experience, welcoming hotel guests and local visitors into a modern-day Victorian inspired setting. The revitalised bar overlooks the magnificent River Clyde, a focal point for guests to gather and socialise over bespoke craft cocktails and drams of local whisky. A new private dining room brings a touch of theatre – a spectacular celebrations venue for all occasions.

MEMBERS’ LOUNGE

A newly designed private enclave exclusively for Mar Hall members, the Members’ Lounge evokes the charm of a traditional manor house library with bold blue walls and warmly illuminated shelves. With comfortable sofas and armchairs, a fireplace and soft lighting, the Members’ Lounge is a relaxing, private retreat and inspiring space for informal, low-key events.

SPA & LEISURE FACIILITIES
Mar Hall
Housed in the most recently developed wing of the hotel, the luxury spa is a destination for wellness days and weekends, as well as bespoke massages, facials and beauty treatments. A state-of-the-art heated 20-metre indoor swimming pool is surrounded by loungers, steam rooms, saunas and brass-tapped showers. A brand-new gym overlooks the pool, featuring cutting edge PRIMAL Performance Series cardio equipment and weights.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

The expansive grounds of the Mar Hall Estate are a defining feature of the Mar Hall experience. Reimagined by Head Landscaper, Wayne Simon Page, themed landscaping has been introduced to compliment the estate’s rich history. 56 acres of ancient woodland and three original fountain pools have been restored, along with the creation of two new maze gardens, a sunken seating and fire-pit area and an al fresco reading room. The extensive planting of new trees and shrub species enhances woodland biodiversity, and new bee gardens and wildlife viewing stations have been established as part of the hotel’s ongoing eco-friendly initiatives.

Room rates at Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort will start from £245 per night, find out more at www.marhall.com

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Strictly champ Ore Oduba joins Picture You Dead ahead of performances at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

See the bestselling DSI Roy Grace book by Peter James on stage for the first time at Glasgow's Theatre Royal from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th June.

Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates

Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.

Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience

This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.

Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes

Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.

Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland

The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.

Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open

Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!

Fat Hippo fans prepare for the ultimate CheezHIT

Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.

Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15

To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.

This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!

Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!

Lychee Oriental expands with second Glasgow location

Lychee Oriental, Glasgow's modern Cantonese restaurant, will launch its second location in the city's Southside tomorrow.

Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.

PAWsitive Vibes Only: Bookface Sip, Swap & Support for Refuweegee... and Dogs are Welcome!

Calling all bookworms and their four-legged friends... this could be the ulti-mutt afternoon you've been waiting for!

Thousands of school children get taste for Glasgow 850 celebrations

Glasgow children are getting behind their city’s 850th birthday celebrations as a week-long Glasgow 850 Schools' Festival gets underway at primary schools across the city.

Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.

Market set to bring flavours and crafts from around the world to Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond Shores is hosting a continental market on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of May!

The Big Yin! Hoolie in the Hydro to applaud Glasgow legend Sir Billy Connolly

Scotland's biggest night of traditional music Hoolie in the Hydro will celebrate Glasgow comedy and folk music legend Sir Billy Connolly in larger-than-life style later this year!

Extra Event: NY Times Bestselling Author Lisa Jewell heads to the Bookface Sip & Swap in Glasgow

Due to high demand, an extra Bookface Sip & Swap event with Lisa Jewell will take place on Tuesday 8th July at Saints of Ingram, Glasgow, from 12.30–3.30pm.

Kiltwalk celebrates fundraising milestone as Glasgow hits record numbers

Glasgow Kiltwalk 2025 attracted so many kind-hearted walkers this weekend that organisers had to add an extra day to create the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk!

Barrowland Ballet take over Scotland with two shows this year

Award-winning dance company Barrowland Ballet present world premiere of Wee Man and the revival of Chunky Jewellery, ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe transfers this year.

30,000 Expected as Ashton Lane Street Party Returns for West End Fest 2025

The epic Ashton Lane Summer Street Party is back for West End Fest 2025, taking over the cobbled lane for a full weekend of live music, street performers, DJs, street food and alfresco drinks!

Line up announced for Laugh In The Park

Laugh in the Park, Glasgow Southside's annual comedy festival, has announced their line up featuring nine of the absolute best performers to be found in Scotland!

Somewhere by Nico launches its first ever Cocktail Festival in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Cocktail Festival will serve customers £5 cocktails highlighting signature cocktails including the classics we all love, from Margaritas to Daiquiris!

Strictly star joins cast of Scottish premiere of Fawlty Towers

Casting announced for the critically acclaimed production of Fawlty Towers - The Play, coming to Glasgow's King's Theatre in January!

New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday

Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

A new culinary destination has opened at Tarbet, Loch Lomond

Lomond Leisure Group is delighted to announce the opening of Kirk O'The Lochs, a distinctive restaurant and bar nestled in a beautifully restored historic church in Tarbet, Loch Lomond.

Full cast announced for 2:22 A Ghost Story

The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to announce the full 2025 cast for the UK tour of the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story.

New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.

Dog lovers alert for a fun day out at Loch Lomond

Top Dogs at Loch Lomond Shores is back on Saturday 3rd May with its fun competitions, expert advice and dog-friendly products including accessories, pupcakes and much more!

Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity

The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.