AN Edinburgh hotel is undergoing a major refurbishment after it was bought by a London-based hospitality company.
Penny Brown and professor Vladimir Kultchitsky aim to transform Melvin House Hotel on Rothesay Terrace to their boutique B+B concept after they acquired the business for an undisclosed sum.
The B+B Collection includes accommodation businesses in Belgravia, London, and Weymouth in Dorset.
Dating from around 1880, the Edinburgh property retains many period features, including a marble staircase in the foyer, a galleried library and dining room with timber ceiling. In addition to the 24 en suite letting rooms, the hotel has two conference rooms — the Melvin Room, which accommodates up to 100 delegates, and the Rothesay Room, which takes 30.
Penny Brown said the refurb aims to position the hotel as “one of Edinburgh’s premier hospitality businesses”.
“We identified Edinburgh as an ideal location for our contemporary boutique B+B concept,” she said.
“Our product is rooms-based and design-led. We offer plenty of home comforts, like our much-loved bean-to-cup coffee, which is included in the room price and available 24/7.”
Christie & Co’s Ken Sims said the sale underlines the buoyancy of the Edinburgh hotel market.
“Our clients’ brief was to identify a unique property in Edinburgh allowing them to develop a quality hospitality business similar to their successful businesses in London,” he said.
“Edinburgh is fortunate to have many outstanding hotels, but not one of them can match the architecture and period features of the Melvin House Hotel.”
(image: Melvin House Hotel has 24 letting rooms as well as dining and conference facilities.)
28.4.11
