Work starts on new Stirling luxury hotel

Oct 28 2009 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING-born entrepreneur Steven McLeod has started work on a £10 million hotel which will create around 100 jobs.

And this week he revealed details of the facilities which will be available at the Colessio Hotel in the former Stirling Royal Infirmary and NHS headquarters in Spittal Street.

They include 55 themed bedrooms and suites, a Vanilla restaurant and piano bar, Elemis day spa and techno-gym and meeting and event facilities for up to 200 guests in its grand ballroom.

Plans for the hotel have moved fast since full planning permission was granted in September.

Steven, who is owner and chief executive of the Aurora Hotel Collection, said: “This hotel has really been worth waiting for. It has been a very painful experience for me as I am so impatient and want to get on with things.

“However, it has been crucial to work so closely with Stirling Council and Historic Scotland so we can ensure the future of this iconic building is protected and enhanced for the future.

“It has been 16 months since I had the idea and seeing the birth of the first Colessio in May 2010 will really set a different pace within hotels in Stirling .

“I very much look forward to standing at the helm.”

He added: “Stirling is a fantastic city with so much to offer. However, in my opinion it has not even started yet.

“One thing for sure it has always been lacking is its ability to offer outstanding accommodation for its visitors and as a result we lose them to some of Stirling’s competing cities.”

He said Colessio already has a number of weddings and events booked for the next two years.

Steven is hosting a wedding open day for Colessio on November 8 and 15 at Glenbervie House in Larbert. Wedding packages booked on those days will get free use of a Rolls Royce Phantom and other incentives.