Member Article

North East lawyers help to seal Sandman Irish hotel deal

A team of lawyers from Newcastle based law firm for businesses - Muckle LLP - have advised global hospitality business Sandman Hotel Group on the acquisition of its 59th hotel – the Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links in Dublin.

The Sandman Hotel Group, part of the Northland Properties group, has become Canada’s largest family and privately-owned hospitality business.

The deal was the company’s first property in Ireland, adding to their three existing UK locations which includes Newcastle Upon Tyne, where one of its hotels and the group’s UK head office is based. The company also has several other properties in Canada and the US.

“We are thrilled to be expanding into Ireland. It’s such a stunning part of the world and this property is incredibly special,” said Mitch Gaglardi, Managing Director, Northland Properties UK Limited.

“We have great respect for the existing team and the long-history of the hotel – combined with our own 50 plus years of experience, we see a winning formula.

“We’re passionate about guest experience and the goal of making each and every stay memorable. We’re absolutely thrilled about our future in Dublin as a fresh adventure begins on the Emerald Isle.

“We are also delighted with the support from our legal team at Muckle LLP. Their hard working, calm and responsive approach was key to meeting some hard deadlines and navigating the complexities and multiple international jurisdictions involved in a deal of this size.”

Muckle LLP Partner Matthew Walsh added: “It was fantastic to support Mitch and the team again. Sandman Group have been a key client of our firm for many years and we are delighted to have helped them expand their portfolio and create new opportunities for further expansion and growth with this landmark acquisition.

“Bringing an international transaction of this scale to completion involved working across several time zones and jurisdictions. Close collaboration with the Northland team and Patrick Quinlan and Diarmuid Mawe at Maples Group in Dublin was fundamental to a successful outcome.”

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links is located in Fingal, with convenient access to Dublin Airport (DUB) and Dublin city centre. The picturesque hotel offers 134 well-appointed guest rooms, including spacious suites overlooking the Bernhard Langer designed championship links golf course, restaurants, meeting and banquet space, an award-winning spa and fitness centre.

This property boasts a rich history as the former home of the famous Jameson family, founders of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Set along ‘The Velvet Strand’, one of the most stunning stretches of uninterrupted coastline in Ireland, this resort neighbours the breathtaking fishing villages of Malahide and Howth.

Less than a 25-minute drive from the hotel, lies the heart of Dublin City Centre and the urban area of Grand Canal is Dublin’s modern hub for performing arts, upscale bars and the technology industry.

Founded in 1967, Sandman Hotel Group has continually grown its portfolio. With plans for future expansion, including a city centre hotel in Glasgow, Scotland, this Canadian-based company currently operates its 4-star Sandman Signature Hotels in Aberdeen, London Gatwick and Newcastle alongside restaurants and lounges within each property.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Edmundson .