Iconic Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland Re-Opens

Starwood Hotels and Resorts today announced that the historic Turnberry golf resort will re-open as part of the renowned Luxury Collection brand at The Open Championship 2009 following a $65 million renovation by owner Leisurecorp, a division of Dubai World company Nakheel.

Following the $65 million refurbishment, which has focused on the iconic resort's public spaces and 40 of its 211 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, Turnberry will proudly host the word's oldest golf championship, on its renowned Ailsa golf course from July 16 - 19, 2009.

This year's Open Championship will host the world's leading golfers who will compete on Turnberry's Ailsa Course, widely viewed as one of the best links courses in the world. The historic golf resort has previously played host to the world's oldest major golf championship in 1977, 1986 and 1994. Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, boasts two 18-hole Championship courses including the Ailsa Course and the Kintyre Course. In addition, the resort has a 9-hole Arran Course and renowned Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy.

The sophisticated transformation of Turnberry features a blend of indigenous Scottish charm and contemporary luxury that will uphold the resort's legacy as an iconic golf destination. Redesigned by Mary Fox Linton, founder of Fox Linton Associates, Turnberry's restored accommodations include subtle interior colours which give each room a soft, calming air inspired by the resort's majestic coastal setting. Floor to ceiling windows flood the resort with natural light and offer breathtaking views of the Turnberry Lighthouse, Ailsa Craig and the lush links golf courses. Ensuring that Turnberry's historical charm was preserved, Fox Linton Associates collaborated closely with Historic Scotland during the restoration of the 103-year-old resort. "Being privileged to work on an iconic building in such a beautiful coastal setting lent inspiration to the new concept," said Mary Fox Linton. "We wanted to pay tribute to the original design by James Miller and bring it up to date to create an ambience of contemporary luxury using a colour palate and textures that reflect the hotel's location looking out over the Irish Sea."

Dining at Turnberry indulges the senses with a diverse menu of sophisticated and distinct culinary options. Offering spectacular views of the resort's golf courses and the Irish Sea, original architect James Miller's Grand Tea Lounge has been redesigned to its original splendor. 1906, open for breakfast and dinner, offers guests a casual dining experience, featuring classic brassiere inspired dishes such as eggs Benedict, ouefs en cocotte, lobster Thermidor and more. Turnberry's Duel in the Sun bar, offering a range of specialty draft and bottled beers, wine, spirits and snacks, is the ideal setting to relax after a game of golf or to enjoy the latest sporting event on the bar's multiple plasma screens.