HotelsMag June 2022 | Page 70

GOLF HAS REALLY EXPLODED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER BEING KIND OF FLAT FOR A LONG TIME . THE GAME OF GOLF HAS REGAINED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POPULARITY DURING COVID AND GOLF CLUBS IN SCOTLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE U . K . ARE ABSOLUTELY SWAMPED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF VISITORS THAT ARE COMING THIS SUMMER .
– PHILLIP ALLEN
with iconic golf courses that didn ’ t necessarily have any great hospitality or hotels nearby ,” Allen continues . “ So , next we acquired Marine North Berwick , which was also from Macdonald . And once we had that , we figured we had a brand – something that really has legs , and we just continue to grow .”
With the help of private investment capital , Marine & Lawn will continue to be acquisitive with Allen saying they ’ d like to acquire two to three properties a year . “ I have a deal or two , let ’ s say , in the works , and I have my eyes on several others ,” he said , adding that ultimately AJ Capital would like to grow the brand in the United States and possibly in continental Europe .
“ There ’ s absolutely more runway in all four countries of the United Kingdom – England , Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland ,” Allen adds . “ And then , without question , the Republic of Ireland is also in our sights .”
SENSATIONAL SUMMER Again , timing for Marine & Lawn seems to be exemplary with this summer season giving the group a chance to show off its renovations at St Andrews , North Berwick and Troon where crowds have been expected to be at capacity and the assets should fairly significantly outperform 2019 results .
“ We ’ re going to have a very strong 2022 . The leisure markets in the U . K . are bouncing back very well ,” Allen says . “ Golf has really exploded over the last couple of years after being kind of flat for a long time . The game of golf has regained a tremendous amount of popularity during COVID and golf clubs in Scotland and throughout the U . K . are absolutely swamped in terms of the number of visitors that are coming this summer .”
Allen expects to further wow guests with great food and beverage from White Rabbit
Projects , led by former Soho House F & B lead Chris Miller , and through bespoke design that reflect the communities and golf courses . “ In most cases , we are renovating every aspect of the properties – the public areas , the guest rooms , and food and beverage spaces ,” Allen says . “ We have a fantastic internal design team that loves to tell stories through design .”
Among the highlights are new spaces at Rusacks that include a restaurant called 18 on the top floor with a never-before-seen view of the Old Course . “ It ’ s a real showstopper and a place that people will want to go to see the views ,” says Allen , who is also very excited to see the new guest rooms at Troon .
An avid golfer himself , Allen says for someone to come from the transactional world into this role is a little bit unusual , but one he cherishes . He has been with AJ Capital for four years , predominantly helping develop the Graduate brand , and says M & A will continue to be a key role at Marine & Lawn . “ I ’ ll still be leading the efforts to find new products and new properties – that ’ s not going to change ,” he says . “ But at the same time , I want to make sure that we ’ re delivering absolutely top-notch quality service , great food and beverage and a memorable experience . I also want to make sure Marine & Lawn delivers a consistency of experience across the various properties and that our guests are being recognized for their loyalty and having unique experiences – but one that ’ s similar in terms of the quality .”
Lastly , Allen is also very excited to relocate to the U . K . with his family , ‘ following in the footsteps of another great American , Ted Lasso .”
70 hotelsmag . com June 2022