Macdonald sells third hotel to AJ Capital Partners

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has sold a third hotel to Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, the Marine Hotel & Spa in North Berwick, East Lothian.

The Marine joins two other hotels, the Rusacks in St Andrews and the leasehold of the Randolph hotel in Oxford, which Macdonald sold to the real estate developer late last year.

The Chicago-based company already has big plans for the 83-bedroom Marine hotel with “extensive renovations” due to commence in the autumn. Once completed in spring 2021, the hotel will have 89 bedrooms, two new food and beverage concepts, “expansive” meeting and event space and an indoor-outdoor spa and fitness centre.

The Randolph hotel is set to relaunch as the UK’s first Graduate Hotels-branded property next summer; while the Rusacks hotel in St Andrews will be renovated and reopened in time for the 150th Open Championship in July 2021.

The Marine hotel overlooks the 16th hole of the historic West Links course at North Berwick Golf Club and has views of the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock.

Eric Hassberger, partner and chief operating officer at AJ Capital Partners, said: “We look forward to welcoming golf and leisure travelers alike to both the Rusacks hotel in St Andrews and the Marine hotel in North Berwick, and pairing these two incredible destinations to deliver unforgettable experiences for generations to come.”

Phillip Allen, AJ Capital Partners’ chief development officer for international markets, added: “We look forward to building upon our recent acquisitions in the United Kingdom and continuing to provide a memorable and differentiated experience for friends and visitors from across the globe.”

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