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Description

Sleat, Isle of Skye Delightful Country House Hotel. Fantastic Business Opportunity. Former Victorian Hunting Lodge, now a delightful Country House Hotel set in 30 acres of beautiful grounds and setting overlooking the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart. Substantially renovated, strong growing turnover, a fantastic business opportunity.

DESCRIPTION
Duisdale Country House Hotel in Skye is a most impressive property. Originally built as a Victorian hunting lodge in 1857 Duisdale is situated to the south of the Island, an area known affectionately as “the garden of Skye”. It commands a stunning position overlooking Sleat to Knoydart. Magnificent gardens extending to 30 acres round off this wonderful setting. The building itself is very substantial, yet attractive and welcoming to a wide range of clientelle.
A particular favourite with foreign visitors, Duisdale has undergone a huge transformation over the last two years. The dining room and conservatory have been tastefully refurbished and enhanced by the addition of a highly popular patio area. Bedrooms have been remodelled and refreshed many with new en-suites. Flat screen televisions with satellite channels are another example of the modern day facilities subtly blended with the traditional values at the heart of this enchanting, forward looking business.
For the comfort of guests, a new state of the art oil fired central heating system has been installed, twin boilers supporting heating controlled floor by floor and on an individual room basis. The extensive renovations are only now nearing completion, Everest, a firm known for its quality workmanship, replacing the rainwater goods and soffit boards to finalise the transformation.
Duisdale is an ever popular hotel, however, business was affected in the year to April 2005 when renovation works commenced, many rooms and facilities out of service during work in progress. Nonetheless, as planned, the benefits of improved facilities fed through into increased trade and figures for the year to April 2006 show an impressive 70% increase over the previous 12 months. This sits firmly in line with the vendors plans for renovation and business expansion.Monthly management figures show progress continued into the present financial year, in line with an ambitious 5 year plan.
It was intended to phase-in improvements alongside business development, however, when experiencing the element of disruption that accompanied renovations, it was decided to fast track the improvements ahead of business development. As part of this process the staff accommodation was extensively refurbished. Today, the net result of this drive for improvement is a business enjoying up to date facilities and strong expanding trade.
The hotel’s location on Skye is a huge asset, people visiting the Island from all over the world. Many are drawn to the mystic, incomparable beauty, others to the rugged awe–inspiring mountains and tremendous coastal scenery. Whilst the ornothologist watches the eagle and the naturalist the otter, many others are on a long genealogical trail. Such is the magnetism of Skye that it is a prime tourist destination and hugely popular for walking, sailing, relaxing and romance! Truly a place where folklore, legend and fact are inextricably interwoven.
The hotel owner splits his time between Skye, London and New York, the day to day management of the hotel in the hands of his business partner, however, both wish to pursue alternative commercial interests further south. The hotel is now in its third year under current ownership. Originally the owner had a five year renovation plan, however, early completion of the renovations’ timetable and strong trade growth has been remarkable to such an extent that the business will be attractive to prospective buyers. It is therefore being placed on the market and viewing will help appreciate the expenditure incurred and the true potential.

THE PROPERTY
Of traditional construction, the hotel dates back to 1857. There have been many recent improvements to both the fabric and infrastructure of the building. Accommodation is arranged over 3 levels as follows:-
PUBLIC AREAS
The main hotel entrance leads into the smart Reception Hallway with its much admired tartan carpeting, the popular Cocktail Bar (34) is to the right, the elegant Drawing Room (20) to the left. Straight ahead is the Reception Counter at the foot of the main stairwell which is in itself impressive. Off reception is access to the main hotel Dining Room (44). Linking the Dining Room and the Drawing Room is the attractive, well appointed conservatory restaurant which opens onto the recently constructed patio where guests often sit and enjoy the tranquility of the garden.
LETTING BEDROOMS
The hotel has 17 comfortable en-suite letting bedrooms to sleep 37 guests (5 four posters, 1 family room, 1 triple, 4 doubles, 6 versatile zip/link with either double or twin capability). All rooms are comfortable, attractively furnished and are well equipped with central heating, flat screen colour television with satellite link, tea/coffee making facilities, radio/alarm clock, hairdryers and direct dial telephones.
OWNERS ACCOMMODATION
A beneficial feature of the hotel is the spacious owners flat located to the rear of the property on the ground floor. This incorporates an attractive lounge, bedroom, dining room and large bathroom.
MANAGER’S ACCOMMODATION
The Manager has a separate bungalow to the rear of the hotel. This benefits from gas central heating and includes two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom.Proprietors’ accommodation is flexible and new owners running the business themselves may choose to utilise the present owner’s flat as a superior suite for letting to guests. A sizeable separate building to the rear of the hotel serves as staff accommodation. Under current ownership this was refurbished and now includes 3 twin bedded rooms, 2 single rooms, living room and bathroom.
SERVICE AREAS
The hotel has a good sized, well equipped commercial kitchen and adjoining wash-up area. There is a dry store, larder and wine store. Located on the ground floor of the substantial staff house is the hotel freezer room, laundry and boiler room. There are further large storage buildings to the rear of the hotel.
GROUNDS
The hotel stands in its own mature ground which extend to some 30 acres, affording ample car parking.5 mooring rights on the Sound of Sleat have been granted to the hotel by the Crown Estate.
SERVICES
Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. Propane Gas. Oil Fired central heating.
LICENCES
The hotel has a full Hotel Licence and Childrens’ Certificate.
TRADE
Accounting information will be made available to seriously interested parties after formal viewing. As it stands, post renovation, the business is enjoying rapid expansion. Net turnover is up 70% to almost £250,000 for the year to 30/4/2006. The steep upwards trend is projected to continue, forecast turnover in the current year £350,000 net.