When Tony Story first acquired Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, he was determined to provide a luxury offering. More than 17 years on, he now operates a five star hotel, as well as a four star hotel, in the Highland capital. Tony Story is chief executive of Kingsmills Hotel Group, in charge of Ness Walk and Kingsmills Hotel.
Taking on the challenge of the then 37-bedroom Inverness Marriot Hotel in 2007, Mr Story and his team have transformed the venue into a luxurious 147-bedroom hotel, which also features its own spa and a 400-capacity suite. ‘I’d known of the hotel since I was a teenager’ Mr Story had two hotels in Aberdeen when the opportunity to acquire Kingsmills Hotel on Culcabock Road presented itself. dates back to the 18th century and in September 1787, saw poet Robert Burns visit its owner, Provost William Inglis.
Mr Story said: “I’ve known the hotel since I was a teenager. When I saw it was up for sale, I was very keen to acquire the hotel and expand it.” First opening as a hotel in 1946, it was sold to the Swallow Group and then US firm Marriott Homes.
Mr Story said Kingsmills Hotel was in serious need of investment when he took it on. “The first thing we did was demolish six two-bedroom apartments and renamed the hotel to the Kingsmills, which it always should’ve been,” he added. “We had a lot of work to do and the financial crisis in 2008 put us in a really tough position.
“Our bank wouldn’t help us with loans to continue the redevelopment,.