Andy Murray Built a Luxurious Castle Hotel with a Wimbledon-Inspired Court
Located in Stirlingshire, central Scotland, Cromlix Hotel is a Victorian manor hotel owned by former Scottish tennis star Andy Murray.
In 2013, Murray purchased the bankrupt Cromlix Hotel for £1.8 million. He stated at the time: "Buying this estate is about maintaining our personal connection to the land and developing it as a legacy for future generations, sharing this special world with old and new guests."
Cromlix Hotel is just a 12-minute drive from Murray's hometown of Dunblane. Its history dates back to 1593, but it remained a private castle until 1981, when it was converted into a luxury country hotel.
This hotel has witnessed many important moments for the Murray family: In 1982, Andy Murray's grandparents, Roy and Shirley Erskine, held their silver wedding anniversary celebration here, becoming among the first guests after Cromlix was converted into a hotel. Later, brother Jamie's wedding in 2010, and Murray's own wedding to wife Kim in 2015, were held here. Each year, Murray family members also host birthday parties at the hotel.
Above: Andy Murray and his wife Kim
After purchasing the hotel, Murray entrusted its management to a local Scottish hotel management company, Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI). In spring 2014, the hotel reopened after renovations as a five-star luxury hotel with a natural style.
However, during the ten years ICMI managed the hotel, Murray felt increasingly disconnected from it and once considered selling it. But by chance, his wife Kim received advice from an industry consultant, encouraging them to develop the hotel into a true personal asset.
So in 2023, Murray and his wife decided to take back management control. They hired a professional team with years of experience in the hospitality industry, with Kim overseeing the full renovation and personally involved in room design.
After three months of renovation, Cromlix Hotel reopened with 10 standard/superior rooms and 5 suites, a reception hall, two living rooms, a conservatory, restaurant, library, and meeting rooms. The grounds include woodlands, gardens, a chapel, a trout lake, a tennis court, and a pickleball court.
Above: Cromlix Hotel restaurant
In this renovation, the Murrays infused the hotel with their personal style, incorporating playful elements and personal items. For example, the hotel features many artworks borrowed from the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and private Murray family collections. They also named the five suites after Murray family members.
Above: Cromlix Hotel guest rooms
In recent years, Cromlix Hotel has won numerous awards, including being named Scotland's Best Hotel at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards.
Above: Cromlix Hotel reception hall
This luxury hotel naturally includes a tennis court. Murray's wife Kim told Meander magazine that the court's color scheme is inspired by Wimbledon, and it features a special umpire's chair that was once used during Murray's match against Federer in Glasgow.
Cromlix Hotel is positioned as a luxury property with high operating costs, with rates starting at £700 per night (approximately RMB 6,500).
According to accounts filed with Companies House, as of March 31, 2024, Cromlix Hotel's parent company, Cromlix LLP, had accumulated losses of £369,045, compared to a loss of £919,572 in the previous fiscal year. The company last turned a profit in fiscal 2022, with a profit of £416,442.
Recently, Cromlix Hotel partnered with Scottish spirits brand Wildfire Gin to launch a co-branded spirit, brewed primarily with ingredients from the hotel's surroundings. This spirit is currently only available at the hotel.
The Murrays are building a new restaurant at the hotel, expected to open in early 2026, and plan to expand with nine woodland cabins and a wellness cabin.
| Sources: The Guardian, Daily Mail, thecaterer.com, Cromlix Hotel official website
| Image source: Cromlix Hotel official website
| Editor: Esther