Not sure. It could be that the Capella-hired staff are going and that the owner will now hire his own people, but given the lack of money, maybe they are having to close.
The Capella at Dunboy Castle (which is in a much more scenic area of west Cork, far nicer than Castlemartyr) is still coming up on the capella website with expected opening in 2009. The Castlemartyr property is still listed but no details available.
The Capella at Dunboy Castle (which is in a much more scenic area of west Cork, far nicer than Castlemartyr) is still coming up on the capella website with expected opening in 2009. The Castlemartyr property is still listed but no details available.
Sounds as though they need to up-date their website a bit faster! Dunboy Castle is a tiny property - they must be very afraid of what will happen when it opens, given the Castlemartyr fiasco.
now they have 3 properties in march 2009, and 1 in spring 2009?
the 2nd ireland property was last scheduled for this year wasnt it? now summer 2009.
Yes, Kage, you are right - the Dunboy project was meant to be open by now, but I guess it, too, is suffering from the Irish recession. I don't know, but I presume it is a different owner from Castlemartyr (hopefully!).
The main problem with the leisure industry in Ireland is the downturn in the U.S. economy. The dollar hit rock bottom against the euro which made hotels which were already expensive to north american visitiors prohibitively so.
The provinces of Munster and Connaught in the south and west of Rep.of Ireland relies heavily on visitors from North america travelling through Shannon.
There is no reason for any Irish person to visit Castlemartyr unless the hotel is exceptional (which it wasnt) or every luxury hotel in Ireland in a nice location is fully booked.
The Capella brand is no doubt struggling in the current worldwide economic crisis to find its step on the ladder.
Yes, Kage, you are right - the Dunboy project was meant to be open by now, but I guess it, too, is suffering from the Irish recession.
I don't know anything about Dunboy specefically but I'd imagine that,it would be the "credit crunch" that should be affecting it more so than the recession.
It's unlikely I think that the owners of a hotel half built would not want to finish it.
It would defy logic.
Also,I think it's sentiment rather than a lack of money at the moment that is stopping people spending.
The Economy here has only recessed less than 1% so far meaning it is way ahead in output compared to say 2006 and that wasn't a bad year by any stretch of the imagination.
However in the current climate banks are constricting lending to businesses [even solid businesses] and building projects are being seriously affected by this from what I hear.
Incidently the dollar has gained almost 20% against the Euro in the past few months.
When we were in the states in July we were getting $1.58.
Now you'd be hard set to get $1.28 on your credit card.
If that continues,it should help.
Peter Bowling has moved from Capella Castlemartyr to Capella Pedregal,Cabo San Lucas.
The management of Drumoland Castle are apparently interested in managing castlemartyr, so 4 star it will be.
The problems at Castlemartyr (apart from location) that I keep hearing is the shoddy building, poor fittings etc.
Not sure. It could be that the Capella-hired staff are going and that the owner will now hire his own people, but given the lack of money, maybe they are having to close.
It's probably in the most unscenic and less attractive part of Co. Cork,nevermind Ireland...so in my opinion without something outstanding to recommend it,it's always going to struggle there even as a 4 star.
capella ixtapa (59 rooms with plunge pools) has a rate loaded for 2009, from $350 > $1200, accepting reservations from jan 1
velden
dusseldorf
ixtapa - december 2008
riviera maya - march 2009
sentosa island - march 2009
telluride - spring 2009
cabo san lucas - may 2009
castletownberre - summer 2009
niseko - winter 2010
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Apr 13, 09 at 5:38 pm.
capella ixtapa (59 rooms with plunge pools) has a rate loaded for 2009, from $350 > $1200, accepting reservations from jan 1
velden
dusseldorf
ixtapa - december 2008
riviera maya - march 2009
sentosa island - march 2009
telluride - spring 2009
cabo san lucas - may 2009
castletownberre - summer 2009
niseko - winter 2010
We will try to have a hard-hat tour of Capella Sentosa early next year. Michael Luible (ex O&O Reethi Rah and regional VP for O&O) will be opening GM.
