Valor Hospitality Partners, a leading global hospitality management, development and acquisition company, has heralded the openings of two new luxury UK hotels as major landmarks for the award-winning business.
Seaton House, located just yards from the 18th green at the iconic Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland, and Dunluce Lodge in Northern Ireland, which overlooks the fourth fairway at Royal Portrush Golf Club, have both opened their doors to guests.
The hotels, both of which provide bespoke hospitality experiences, are operated by Valor Hospitality Partners, in partnership with US-based owners, Links Collection.
The openings of Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House are the culmination of years of dedication and hard work from the team to create the very best hotels that are perfectly suited to their local landscapes.
Seaton House introduces a new option in St Andrews, the ‘Home of Golf’, for the discerning traveller, while Dunluce Lodge becomes the Causeway Coast’s newest luxury hotel, as Valor brings its vast global luxury hospitality experience to bear in both areas.
Valor Hospitality operates nearly 100 hospitality projects across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. These encompass luxury independent hotels and major global brands, including the McLemore Golf Resort in Georgia, USA, an award-winning destination offering world-class golf, stunning mountain views, five uniquely curated dining options and exceptional accommodation.
With 42 guest rooms, including six stunning suites and three junior suites, Seaton House offers a range of dining options, curated by Chef Patron Roy Brett, across its Bow Butts bar and two restaurants, The Board Room and Ondine Oyster & Grill.
Named Scottish Restaurant of the Year three times, the famous Ondine Oyster & Grill brand is expanding its footprint to include Seaton House while Roy has also joined Valor and the SAVOR team as Head of Culinary UK and Europe.
As part of SAVOR, Valor’s premium food and beverage division, Roy will lead on creating authentic kitchen and bar innovations that embrace the company’s global experience whilst using only local provenance which showcase Scotland’s finest produce, cultures, tastes and styles.
Situated centrally in historic St Andrews, Seaton House is just a few minutes’ walk from attractions such as the West Sands beach, famed for the majestic opening scenes of the 1981 film, Chariots of Fire and the ruins of the town’s cathedral, once the largest building in Europe. The stunning Kingdom of Fife coastline is the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life. St Andrews, home to the third oldest university in the world, is also within easy reach of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee Airport and Kingsmuir Airfield.
Dunluce Lodge boasts 35 luxury suites, including eight in The Stookan, its private home for larger groups, together with an intimate world-class restaurant offering à la carte dining and tasting menus, also served in its wine vault with expert wine pairings and exquisite whiskey tastings. Guests can also avail of an intimate spa and private dining spaces throughout the Lodge. With the opening, the Lodge now offers one of the most stunning and bespoke romantic retreats in Northern Ireland.
With an onsite putting green and complimentary private transfers to the nearby helipad and to the clubhouses at Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club, Dunluce Lodge is also a golfer’s paradise, with unencumbered views of the fourth fairway and green whilst looking out over the rugged coastline and ocean.
The vision for the hotel was born when Jonathan Harper and Robert Covington Jr, Managing Partners of Dunluce Lodge owners, Links Collection, visited Portrush in 2019 as spectators at The 148th Open and became captivated by the beauty of the landscape.
Dunluce Lodge, open in time for Portrush to host The 153rd Open this summer, is located just outside the famous coastal town on the unmissable Causeway Coast, which has been previously named as Lonely Planet’s world number one region to visit. Home to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and backdrop for some of the planet’s biggest silver screen productions such as Game of Thrones, the Causeway Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline anywhere in the world.
Euan McGlashan, Chief Executive, Valor Hospitality said:
“We have managed and operated hotels across the UK for over a decade, building a diverse, award-winning portfolio, together with our incredible partners & ownership groups. We’ve done this thanks to the culture created by our thousands of wonderful ‘Hotelitarians’ who elevate the guest experiences daily, while delivering best in class commercial performance.
“This announcement is particularly special. It is the true culmination of our Global teams coming together to deliver two independent luxury properties using our wealth of knowledge and expertise from the USA, UK, and Africa. The opening of Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House is not just a milestone for Valor and our new partnership with Links Collection – it is the culmination of four years of collaboration, teamwork, hard work, tenacity, magic, and passion.
“Our shared vision for luxury hospitality around beautiful UK towns that offer both bespoke relaxing breaks or world-class golf experiences as a backdrop has come to life and has already garnered significant press. Each property is unique and distinctive, yet together, they meld seamlessly with guest experience delivery borne from leaders who have spanned the globe taking the best of everywhere and bringing it home.
“I’m immensely proud and grateful to work alongside our global teams and such talented individuals who have helped bring these projects to life. Seeing them come together so beautifully is incredibly rewarding. This is more than just opening two hotels—it’s about setting a new standard in hospitality, deeply rooted in their stunning local landscapes, while creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. It truly encompasses our newest tagline – ‘A Whole World of Local’ – and I couldn’t be more excited for watching their successes in the years ahead.”
Jonathan Harper, Managing Partner Links Collection said:
“The opening of Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House represents a defining moment for Links Collection and our partnership with Valor. From the very inception of these projects, we have shared a vision of elevating luxury hospitality in two of the world’s most iconic golf destinations. Over the past four years, we’ve worked side by side, combining our passion for excellence with Valor’s expertise in global hotel operations to create something truly exceptional.
“These properties are immersive experiences and are interconnected to the rich traditions of Portrush and St. Andrews. With world-class golf on their doorstep and an unwavering commitment to bespoke service, Dunluce Lodge and Seaton House set a new benchmark for refined hospitality for both golfers and non-golfers alike. As we look ahead to major events like The Open, we are proud to welcome guests from around the world to experience the unparalleled luxury and authenticity these properties offer.
“This journey has been one of collaboration, innovation, and dedication, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has played a role in bringing these hotels to life. We are just at the beginning of an exciting chapter, and I can’t wait to see the legacy these properties create in the years to come.”
For more information, visit: valorhospitality.com
