The award-winning Ardeonaig Hotel has been put on the market for just over £1 million.
The struggling Highland Perthshire business plunged into administration recently, with all 10 members of staff being laid off.
Controversial South African owner Pete Gottgens cut his ties with the hotel on which approaching £2 million was believed to have been spent and upped and left the area.
Manchester recovery specialists Zolfo Cooper were subsequently charged with finding a buyer and have set the asking price at offers over £1.1 million.
Alan Creevy, who is handling the sale at Jones Lang LaSalle out of their Glasgow office, said, “Ardeonaig is really quite an exceptional property in a stunning location in the heart of Perthshire with grounds which lead down to the shores of Loch Tay. Whilst in a tranquil and attractive rural setting, the hotel sits within two hours’ drive of Scotland’s major airports and major population centres.”
The hotel has 25 en suite letting bedrooms, three dining areas and impressive grounds.
The letting accommodation includes five Rondawels which are circular, thatched stand-alone bedroom units and the hotel was completely refurbished, extended and modernised in 2008.
Mr Creevy added, “The hotel was won various awards but unfortunately ran into financial difficulties due to the costs involved in the refurbishment in 2008. Nonetheless, this was an exceptionally profitable business with sales net of VAT in excess of £1.3 million and profits close to £400,000 per annum.”Guests angeredMeanwhile, angry guests have been left out of pocket after being caught up in the hotel’s demise.
David Reid contacted The Courier to express his frustration that he was duped into making a booking that was never going to be honoured. He said, “I was trying to contact the Ardeonaig Hotel about booking using a voucher we had for a night in a Rondawel, with gourmet dinner and champagne but see that it is ‘closed for winter.’
“After doing more digging I actually find out that the hotel has gone into liquidation. I feel extremely cheated as (after staying in the hotel in May) we immediately booked to go again in July to take advantage of their free night offer.
“Although it was expensive, we looked at it that we were paying the nightly rate twice, but this was effectively spread over three nights stay.
“Administration doesn’t just come out of nowhere. I feel the owner must have known what he was planning, and this offer was made to encourage additional bookings knowing that he would never honour the vouchers.”
The upmarket hotel employed 10 staff, almost all of whom have been laid off by the administrators.
Anne O’Keefe, of Zolfo Cooper, stated last week, “We’re considering all possible options for the future of the business and are hopeful of finding a buyer. However, in order to ensure the viability of the business for prospective buyers, we have no option but to cease trading over the quieter winter period.
“We regret we are left with no choice but to lay off the workforce for this period. However, we will look to resume trading next year.”
Mr Gottgens, who was head chef as well as owner, has made a name for himself as a South African version of Gordon Ramsay, with guests and restaurant critics regularly hearing his shouts booming out of the kitchen.
He also set up Scotland’s first vineyard 800 vines over two acres to produce a white dessert wine. He is a former personal chef to Nelson Mandela and won a bronze medal at the Scottish Chef Awards two years ago.