The five-star Kinnettles Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland, has closed permanently after its parent company went into liquidation, leaving all 12 members of staff without work.
The hotel, located at 127 North Street in the town centre, shut its doors for good in September. Its parent company, Kinnettles Hotel Limited, entered liquidation, forcing the immediate closure.
Restaurant partner locked out
The hotel's on-site restaurant partner, Gidi Grill, was locked out of the building on September 23. Owner Mo Adeniyi said "the building was taken over by someone else, but we hadn't been told". He confirmed he was now looking for new premises to relocate his West African and Afro-Caribbean restaurant.
The Kinnettles Hotel, situated just a 10-minute walk from West Sands Beach and the historic St Andrews Old Course golf links, featured 15 bedrooms, a bar, spa, and an on-site restaurant.
Liquidator appointed
Callum Carmichael, a partner at FRP Advisory, has been appointed as liquidator of the company. He confirmed that the challenges facing the business had become "insurmountable".
Mr Carmichael told The Courier: "Kinnettles Hotel has been a well-established part of St Andrews' hospitality sector, offering boutique accommodation in the heart of the town for many years.
"Despite its established presence, the challenges facing the business and many like it in Scotland's hospitality sector ultimately proved insurmountable. Our focus is now on safeguarding the assets of the three companies and supporting those affected."
Broader portfolio for sale
The broader Kinnettles portfolio, which includes Kinnettles Mansion in Guardbridge and Kinnettles Castle near Forfar, had previously been put up for sale for £15 million.
The hotel had received glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, with guests praising the accommodation, spa, and facilities. One reviewer wrote in July: "I genuinely don't think I've ever had a better spa experience in my life. From the moment I arrived until the moment I left, every single detail was absolutely perfect."
Another reviewer wrote in May: "I had an amazing experience at Kinnettles Hotel & Spa, truly one of the best I've had." A third posted in March: "My husband and I stayed for one night and used spa facilities and got a treatment each. First of all we were made to feel very welcomed when we entered the building, staff couldn't do enough for us."
Another visitor commented in March: "I can't praise highly enough the Kinnettles Hotel and Spa, St Andrews. We arrived as guests and departed five days later as friends."
