The Isle of Eriska, Hotel, Spa & Island has announced that as of summer 2016 the island has been under new ownership, with the Buchanan-Smith family no longer involved in the day to day operation of the hotel or island. The current management will all be retained and are challenged with taking Eriska forward into the future.
The private island, located off the west coast of Scotland, covers 300 acres and includes a 25 bedroom five star hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a wealth of outdoor facilities including its own golf course, nature reserve and the recently re-launched Stables Spa. Paul Leonard, head chef, retained the restaurant’s Michelin star in 2016. The hotel is a member of Relais & Chateaux.
The sale of the island was agreed in August 2016 and completed in the autumn. New owners, Creation Gem, a company located in Hong Kong, is solely owned by one family.
New owner, Mr Rong commented, “My family and I are offering a bridge of friendship from beautiful Shanghai to stunning Scotland. We are honoured to continue as the custodians of such an iconic property and aim to protect and nurture the island, securing a bright future for Eriska for years to come.”
The new owners have committed to a significant investment towards the future of the entire island with the construction of four new Hilltop Reserves already underway and planned renovations to the main house in the pipeline. The four new self-catering lodges will mirror the existing two Hilltop Reserves, which are located on the hillside overlooking the estate. The one-bedroom lodges come with their own private hot tub and outdoor decking and will offer views across the sea.
As part of the new investment into the island the hotel has completed a full renovation of seven of the 25 en-suite bathrooms during January 2017 and will re-launch the new piano lounge and drawing room as the hotel re-opens this month.
Gordon Cartwright, General Manager of Eriska, joined the team in April 2016. His wealth of industry experience gained over the last 30 years include Senior Hotel and Restaurant Inspector with AA Hotel Services, management and chef director roles with Relais & Chateaux including The Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, as well as Sharrow Bay and Roux Restaurants.
Gordon commented, “The Isle of Eriska is synonymous with quality and an intimate guest experience that will be wholly preserved moving forward. A change of ownership doesn’t mean a change in ethos and guests new and old can still expect the roaring fires, luxury, comfort and excellent service from the committed island team, along with a memorable dining experience. Eriska is about providing an island getaway that is totally unique, not just in location but because the experienced team deliver on the small details that make all the difference. As General Manager I’m committed to preserving the Buchanan-Smith family legacy that has made Eriska an icon of hospitality for over four decades.”