Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced that it is opening a third hotel in Ireland, with the signing of the agreement to manage Killeen Castle, a Luxury Collection hotel in Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland, which will open in early 2009.
Starwood is working with Irish property company Snowbury Ltd to develop the 179-room luxury golf and spa hotel, which will incorporate the existing historical structure of Killeen Castle with new-build facilities to comprise a total of two restaurants, three bars, 1,357 m2 of meeting space and gift shop. Guests will also be able to take advantage of an exclusive 1,000 m2 health club and spa, including swimming pool, and avid golfers will enjoy an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, club house, and Dave Pelz Golf Academy.
Killeen Castle is a historical castle built by the de Lacy family in 1181. In 1841, the ninth Earl of Fingal demolished the original castle and erected the building standing today. County Meath is known as the Royal County as it was once the territory of the High Kings of Ireland. The abundance of historic monuments within the present day boundaries testifies to the ancient importance of the region. Some of the most important historic sites and monuments in Ireland are located within County Meath.
The hotel will be 40km north of Dublin and approximately 30 minutes by car from Dublin International Airport. The hotel’s location and excellent golf and spa facilities, in addition to its proximity to Dublin and the main airport will appeal to both business and leisure travellers.
This hotel is the second hotel announcement for Ireland for Starwood in the last year. On 5 May this year the multi-branded hotel company opened the new Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa, Cork, as the first entry of Starwood’s most global hotel brand into the Irish market. The first hotel in Ireland was the Westin Dublin which opened in 2001.
Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Europe, Middle East & Africa said, “We are thrilled to be announcing a third hotel for Ireland, particularly so soon after the opening of the Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa in Cork. This hotel introduces a third Starwood hotel brand to Ireland and increases Starwood’s commitment to Ireland while further expanding on the wonderful golf and spa resorts we can offer our guests around the world. We are delighted to be working with Snowbury Ltd on this new hotel and we hope this development is the beginning of a long-term partnership with them, to establish Killeen Castle as one of the premier luxury golf and spa resort hotels in Europe.”
Brian Wallace, director, Snowbury Ltd, said, “We chose Starwood because The Luxury Collection is the perfect brand for Killeen Castle. This development has the potential to become one of the best in Ireland, and with Starwood already having a presence in Ireland and a proven track record with the success of the Westin Dublin, they make an ideal hotel management partner for us.”
In addition to the Westin Dublin and Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa, Cork, Starwood Hotels & Resorts also operate eight hotels in the UK, including the Westin Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire; the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh; Le Méridien Piccadilly; Sheraton Belgravia; the Sheraton Park Tower, Knightsbridge and the Sheraton Skyline.
For further information visit www.starwoodhotels.com.