Slieve Donard’s US buyers snap up Portrush hotel ahead of Open’s return
A second Northern Ireland hotel has been bought by US group Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners following its acquisition of Hastings’ Slieve Donard hotel last year.
AJ Capital partners, whose Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, specialise in luxury hotels in top golf destinations, has snapped up the 28-beroom Adelphi Portrush Hotel ahead of The Open’s return in 2025.
No price was revealed for the purchase pf the four-star property on the seaside town’s Main Street.
The Adelphi will be part of the Nashville group’s AJ’s Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts and will remain the Adelphi Portrush until next autumn, when major renovations on the rooms and communal areas will start.
A relaunch as part of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts is expected in late 2024.
The acquisition by AJ Capital Partners is part of a race to secure more high-end accommodation for the north coast ahead of the return of golf’s oldest major in 2025.
US businesses behind plans for the first five-star hotel on the north coast recently announced work had started on the £16.5m Dunluce Lodge, overlooking Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Phillip Allen, president of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, said: “The property is a true community gem and will continue to offer both locals and visitors an authentic experience that pays homage to the rich history and rugged beauty of County Antrim and the Causeway Coast.
“We’re honoured to continue to grow our presence in Northern Ireland and thrilled that we’ll have a fully renovated Adelphi Portrush Hotel to showcase when the world of golf once again turns its eyes on Portrush for the 2025 Open Championship.”
The company said that when renovations are complete, the interior of the property would “embrace the beauty of the region, while paying tribute to the golf prestige and history synonymous with the island of Ireland”.
And it described the hotel as the “ideal” destination for golfers visiting Royal Portrush. It’s the sixth property in the Marine & Lawn collection, joining Scottish venues Rusacks St Andrews, Marine North Berwick, Marine Troon and Dornoch Station Hotel, as well as the Slieve Donard in Newcastle.
Once the revamped Adelphi is open, it will compete for high-rolling golf guests with Dunluce Lodge, which will be a 35-room luxury complex overlooking the fourth fairway at Royal Portrush.
Dunluce Lodge will be the sixth five-star hotel in Northern Ireland, tipped as offering “exclusivity and a high degree of privacy” to its golfing guests.
