Crerar Hotel’s Isle of Mull property earns upgraded AA rating

Scottish hotel company Crerar Hotels has revealed it is celebrating an upgraded AA rating for the second time in less than a week following an inspection at the newly refurbished Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa. Following its Glencoe Inn being granted a five-star AA rating last week, it said inspectors have now given the coastal island hotel – which is receiving the finishing touches to a £3.5m transformation – an official four-star rating. The hotel’s brand-new restaurant, Oran na Mara, was also commended, receiving its first AA Rosette in recognition of its commitment to the use of fresh, seasonal and local produce. Crerar said inspectors were impressed with the results of the seven-figure investment, which has seen all 75 bedrooms and bathrooms plus public areas completely refurbished, the creation of additional luxury sea-view suites, upgrades to leisure facilities to create the brand new ‘Driftwood Spa’, and the introduction of a sea-deck for al-fresco dining with views across Craignure Bay. It added they also made a specific commendation on the “authentic warmth and hospitality” offered to guests by the entire hotel team, which is now led by new general manager, John de Villiers. Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said: “We’re delighted that Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa has been granted not only an official AA four-star rating, but also an AA Rosette for its outstanding new restaurant. It’s a very proud moment to receive a second upgraded AA rating for the portfolio in the space of less than a week, and to have it granted as we put the finishing touches into an extensive refurbishment is the icing on the cake. “Our 80% Merit score from inspectors puts the Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa at the top-end of the four-star bracket and just a few points from a five-star grading which is a tremendous accolade for the team on the island, all of whom go out of their way to offer world-class service that really embodies the ‘Spirit of Scotland’.” He added: “We’re very much looking forward to unveiling the final results of the completed refurbishment within the Driftwood Spa in the coming weeks.” De Villiers said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to receive such amazing news – just a matter of months after taking up my role here at the hotel. To be granted an official four-star rating as well as an AA Rosette goes to show just how much investment and work has gone into creating the ultimate island retreat for our guests. “We’re especially pleased to hear the inspectors noted the warmth and hospitality across the team. I’m a firm believer that authenticity is the key to first-class service in this industry, and our team has that in spades.”