Donald Trump has made his latest foray into the British Isles’ golf resort market with the purchase of Turnberry in South Ayrshire, Scotland.
The US property tycoon has acquired the entire Turnberry estate – including its five star hotel boasting 145 guestrooms, four ocean-view suites, an ESPA spa, as well as three golf courses. The complex is expected to continue to be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
The sum Trump paid to previous owner Leisurecorp remains undisclosed, but is thought to be significantly less than the £52m (US$88m, €63m) the Dubai-based property firm paid for the property in 2008, just prior to the financial crash.
In a statement, Trump outlined high hopes for his latest purchase, with plans for significant development.
"I intend to invest many millions of dollars in order to bring the hotel to the highest levels of luxury,” he said. "When completed, I believe that the Turnberry Hotel will be the finest and most luxurious hotel in all of Europe."
Trump's previous dealings in the region’s golf courses have enjoyed mixed fortunes. He
recently bought the Doonbeg golf and hotel complex in Ireland, which he said would become his new focus following
a long-running battle with the Scottish government over a planned wind farm near his £1bn (US$1.7bn, €1.2bn) golf resort in Scotland’s Aberdeenshire.
