SPECIAL REPORT
AJ Capital ’ s version of
TED LASSO
Phillip Allen is having his Ted Lasso moment – moving his family from Kentucky to London to become president of AJ Capital Partner ’ s emerging Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts , a growing collection of bespoke U . K . hotels in the world ’ s most distinguished golf destinations , including St Andrews , North Berwick and Troon . But unlike the sports comedy-drama character Lasso , Allen says he is moving into a very well-timed opportunity as golf tourism booms in the region and opportunities for growth are abundant .
Marine & Lawn launched quietly in fall 2021 and continues to spend millions of pounds on refurbishing its portfolio . Of the four hotels , Rusacks St Andrews and Marine North Berwick have been updated , while Marine Troon is set to come back online in the next month . The 181-key Slieve Donard Resort & Spa by Royal County Down golf links in Ireland will remain open for this summer season and then move into a renovation phase , which should be completed before the 2023 season begins .
Moving from chief development officer of AJ Capital Partners , more widely known for its Graduate hotel brand found on college campuses , into his new role at Marine & Lawn , Allen states that the move is the right thing for the brand and that his marching orders include growing the portfolio and delivering excellence and consistency across the brand being positioned as a lifestyle experience with luxury service .
18 restaurant on the top floor of Rusacks Hotel
68 hotelsmag . com June 2022