Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts has officially launched in the U.K. with the debut of two reimagined hotels in Scotland: Rusacks St Andrews and Marine North Berwick.
This new collection of bespoke hotels in the world’s most distinguished golfing destinations will offer global travellers once-in-a-lifetime experiences along the scenic beaches of Scotland’s golf coast. Rusacks St Andrews is now open for overnight stays, with full food & beverage offerings opening in September – including “18”, the new rooftop restaurant overlooking the Old Course, led by Executive Chef Derek Johnstone, the inaugural winner of MasterChef: The Professionals’. Marine North Berwick, along with its new restaurant “The Lawn” led by National Chef of the Year finalist Chris Niven, will open in September as well.
“We’re thrilled to be opening the first Marine & Lawn properties and to provide travellers with unforgettable journeys to the most prolific leisure destinations in Scotland,” said Ben Weprin, AJ Capial Partners founder and CEO. “Our team is extremely passionate about creating memorable gathering spaces, and it has been an honour to bring a new hospitality experience to some of the most coveted and historic destinations in the world. We can’t wait to host guests as they embark upon unmatched golfing experiences in these incredible locations.”
Rusacks St Andrews and Marine North Berwick properties have seen a complete renovation and redesign across all guest rooms, public spaces and food and beverage venues. Led by AJ Capital Partners’ in-house interior design studio, both properties take design inspiration from each destination’s coastal positioning, rich golf history and legendary storytelling. While each property encapsulates a classic and timeless design, guests will notice nods to traditional Scottish patterns throughout the buildings to create a sense of locality. Timeless materials – that are attributed to the sport of golf – such as wood, pine, mahogany, brass, velvet, marble, leather and wool are used throughout the design. Honing in on the rich history of the game, the design team focused on telling these stories through art and whimsical nods woven into discreet details, such as engraved historical mottos and hidden messages.
Marine & Lawn has partnered with restaurant developer, White Rabbit Projects to launch and run all food and beverage outlets at Rusacks St Andrews and Marine North Berwick. Each hotel offers a variety of dining options, providing epicurean experiences suited for locals and guests alike. White Rabbit Projects is behind some of the most exciting hospitality concepts in the U.K. including Kricket, Lina Stores and Island Poké. With input from local suppliers throughout Scotland, the range of culinary offerings will encompass restaurant, bar and café concepts.
“We are incredibly excited to be working with AJ Capital to launch these unique restaurants at the Marine & Lawn properties,” said Chris Miller, founder and CEO at White Rabbit Projects. “We have built a hugely talented team led by two of Scotland’s most exciting Chefs – Derek Johnstone and Chris Niven – championing the exceptional quality of local ingredients. These are landmark hotels and it’s an honour to have the opportunity to help develop their food and beverage with the goal of creating truly memorable hospitality experiences.”
Rusacks St Andrews
Rusacks St Andrews is now open for overnight stays. Housing 120 guest rooms, the property offers a range of culinary outlets, including a traditional Scottish pub and the rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the 1st and 18th holes of the Old Course at St Andrews and the Fife Coast. The hotel features unrivalled panoramic views of the world’s oldest golf course, celebrating 600 years of world-class golf history. The renovated property includes a 42,000 square foot expansion which will house additional guest rooms and the rooftop and restaurant, 18.
Design throughout the property takes inspiration from the property’s coastal positioning and ultimate distinction as the birthplace of golf. On the reception desk sits a traditional St Andrews Coat of Arms badge, alongside a set of classic crossed Scottish flags. Three prominent paintings hang over the restored original fireplace. Local, storied artist Joe Austen, known as one of the world’s foremost painters of sports portraits, was commissioned to create the custom works. Portraits depict Mr. Rusacks, the property’s namesake; Old Tom Morris, St Andrews golfing legend; and an illustration of the property.
Guest rooms continue the narrative of Scottish beauty and golf history with deep green and cool blue hues and welcoming, warm textures that complement the property’s acclaimed backdrops. Grand windows with luxurious drapery accentuate picturesque views of the rugged coastline. Chandeliers in the guest rooms showcase the iconic godwit bird known for grazing along the St Andrews coast.
Food & Beverage: official “18” restaurant opening date, September 17
Rusacks St Andrews will offer three new restaurants – 18, The Bridge, and One Under Bar. Derek Johnstone, one of Scotland’s most renowned chefs and inaugural winner of MasterChef: The Professionals, will lead the kitchens as Executive Chef, championing local Scottish produce throughout his menus. A rooftop and Scottish restaurant, 18 will specialise in the very best seasonal local produce. Using the restaurant’s state-of-the-art Robata grill, Johnstone’s menu will focus on open flame cooking and innovative game and seafood dishes. Situated on the fourth floor of the new extension, 18 will feature a full glass window, showcasing panoramic views across the Old Course, West Sands and the North Sea.
The ground floor will house The Bridge, a more casual all-day dining option, continuing the theme of championing Scottish produce, a key pillar of Johnstone’s food and drink ethos. One Under Bar, an intimate, underground bar will serve the finest pub favourites, beers, whiskies and cocktails. Both destinations will embody the Scottish spirit of camaraderie and provide welcoming gathering spaces ideal for memorable post-golf meals, celebratory occasions and the best of Scottish flavours.
Marine North Berwick
Marine North Berwick offers 84 guest rooms, two unique food and beverage concepts, a spa, pool and fitness centre, and 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event spaces. Overlooking the 16th hole of the historic West Links course of North Berwick Golf Club, the property boasts scenic views of landmarks including the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock.
The design throughout the hotel takes inspiration from Scotland’s world-renowned golf courses and notable figures, with nods to the hotel’s stunning seaside location and surrounding natural wonders. Marine North Berwick embraces the beauty of the wilderness at its front door, with interiors pulling from the agricultural and architectural history of the area.
Guest rooms pay homage to iconic golf holes with nightstands designed as golf tee boxes. Guest room carpet complements the nightstands and depicts golf ball and golf club motifs within the traditional pattern. The locally sourced artworks and the use of rich textures such as mahogany, brass and leather, contribute to the timeless elegance and the classic design approach. As guests transition into hotel common spaces, they will see a great reflection of local foliage, further rooting the design of the hotel into its surroundings.
Food & Beverage: “The Lawn” official restaurant opening date, September 23
The Lawn, the property’s new restaurant with stunning coastal views, will be accompanied by a stylish, laid-back bar and lounge, The Bass Rock. MasterChef: The Professionals’ and National Chef of the Year finalist Chris Niven, previously Executive Chef at The Fairmont, St Andrews and The Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh, will head up The Lawn restaurant. With a seasonal menu designed around flavour and simplicity; the focus will be on the very best ingredients from East Lothian and the surrounding area, served in a relaxed setting. Niven will also oversee the menu for the hotel’s bar and lounge, The Bass Rock. The bar offers unrivalled views of its namesake which sits majestically in the Firth of Forth and will serve cocktails, international wines, award-winning whiskies and local spirits, together with Scottish craft beers and ales.
Rusacks St Andrews and Marine North Berwick are joined by Marine Troon in Troon, Scotland. Marine Troon, on the Ayrshire Coast, will remain open throughout 2021. It will reopen in 2022 following a refurbishment as part of its relaunch as part of the Marine & Lawn collection. With 89 guest rooms, the hotel offers two unique food and beverage concepts, expansive meeting and event spaces and a fitness and leisure centre with an indoor pool, squash court, sauna and steam facilities. The hotel provides unobstructed views of the 1st and 18th fairways of Royal Troon’s Old Course, which has played host to nine Open Championships.
Owned by Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, Marine & Lawn joins AJ Capital’s growing portfolio of hotels throughout the United Kingdom. AJ Capital additionally owns and operates Graduate Hotels®, which recently launched The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels® in Oxford, England and Graduate Cambridge in Cambridge, England.
