A £3.4 million upgrade of a Highland Perthshire hotel has won the recognition of tourist chiefs.
Dublin-based Castle Hotel Group, owners of both the Atholl Palace Hotel and the iconic Fisher’s in Pitlochry, are celebrating with the news that Fisher’s has received its official three-star rating from VisitScotland.
Purchased by the Hotel Group in December 2010, Fisher’s has since enjoyed a multi-million-pound upgrade, during which the entire hotel has been given a fresh new look, with refurbished bedrooms, reception area and ballroom and a redeveloped main lounge.
Local tradesmen have been employed to complete the transformation, which has also seen the former snug become the hotel bar and a garden room become available for private dinners and small weddings.
The once proud gardens at the back of the hotel have also been brought back to life.
Six easy-access bedrooms have also been created on the ground floor, all with up-to- the-minute wet rooms and an emergency alarm system connected to reception.
The rooms are ideally equipped for older, less able guests, who may still want to come to Pitlochry.
”We are absolutely delighted to receive our official three stars from VisitScotland everyone has worked very hard indeed to create the new Fisher’s you see today,” said Roz Blyth, group sales and marketing coordinator.
”When the hotel was bought over, it was not in a fit state for a hotel in the 21st century catering for guests of all ages and abilities, as we now do, and the improvements we have carried out have been the result of a great deal of planning and research into what our customers are looking for.
”A whole new team of people were brought into Fisher’s and we have gelled together well.
”We are now really looking forward to the busy festive season, which will be an exciting time for us, and next year we plan to consolidate our success even more by continuing to roll out our new events and entertainment programme. Customers old and new have commented on how much they enjoy having entertainment back at Fishers, with live music and all sorts.”
Richard Pinn, regional director at VisitScotland, said: ”I would like to congratulate the Fisher’s Hotel on achieving this three star award.
”VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme is a world leader and awards such as this allow visitors to Perthshire to make an informed decision on where to stay during their holiday.”
The team at Fishers have been busy getting ready for the festive season and, to celebrate their new three-star accreditation, have arranged for three special Christmas cakes to be made, each decorated with a star. The cakes will be donated to local charities and senior citizen’s groups.