Ballycastle Marine Hotel Taken Off Market As New Operator Prepares To Take Over

The Marine Hotel on Ballycastle’s seafront has been taken off the market less than six months after being put up for sale with an asking price of just under £5 million.

Owners Claire Hunter and Colum McLornan placed the four-star, 51-bedroom hotel on the open market in September, seeking offers in the region of £4.95m.

At the time, there were reports that a sale of the prominent north coast venue was close to being agreed. However, The Irish News reported this morning that the hotel is no longer for sale.

Despite the property's withdrawal from the market, a significant change is set to take place at the hotel, with a new luxury operator expected to take over the venue within days.

It is understood that Schulte Hospitality is preparing to assume management of the Marine Hotel from the beginning of March. The family-owned company operates the Slieve Donard Resort in Newcastle, Co Down, as well as two other hotels on the north coast.

Schulte Hospitality has a substantial presence in the United States and maintains a close working relationship with AJ Capital Partners, which acquired the Slieve Donard in 2021.

AJ Capital Partners later purchased the Atlantic and Adelphi hotels in Portrush as part of the expansion of its Marine & Lawn golf hotel brand, which focuses on premium hospitality at coastal and golfing destinations.