Pitbauchlie House Hotel to become a Spark by Hilton Hotel

Hilton is going to rebrand and refurbish the Pitbauchlie House Hotel, off Aberdour Road, after reaching agreement with the owners.

The move will bring the 'Spark by Hilton' brand to Scotland for the first time.

The deal agreed with SMAR Hotels Ltd, who bought the Pitbauchlie in October 2024, will see the property undergo a complete refurbishment before reopening "in late 2026".

As well as 53 bedrooms, it will offer dining spaces, meeting facilities and guest parking.

The Solley family had owned the Pitbauchlie for more than 50 years before deciding to put the property up for sale in the summer of 2024.

The Pitbauchlie House Hotel is to close for refurbishment and will reopen as a Spark by Hilton hotel. (Image: Colliers)

It was reported that they were looking for around £1.65 million but the hotel was snapped up in an off-market deal for an undisclosed fee by SMAR, who already had three hotels in the UK.

Set in three acres of woodland and with beautiful gardens, the Pitbauchlie is a popular wedding venue and it's well used for facilities, conferences and events.

The main function room can accommodate up to 130 guests and it has two bars, a restaurant and a bistro.

Hilton said the 'conversion-friendly' model enables existing hotels to "reposition under a globally recognised brand" while benefiting from its commercial platform and loyalty programme.

The Pitbauchlie was owned by the Solley family for more than 50 years, until they sold it in October 2024. (Image: Newsquest)

The company is expanding the UK expansion of its premium economy brand, signing a further 10 Spark by Hilton hotels through an agreement with AG Hotels Group.

They are in Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Hull, Peterborough, Runcorn, Sunderland, Wakefield and Washington.

Paul Blackmore, vice president for development in the UK and Ireland, said: “These signings underline the strength of demand for Spark by Hilton we are seeing from owners across the UK.

"With nearly 700 rooms in the pipeline, including the brand's first hotel in Wales, Spark continues to gain momentum as owners recognise the strength of its value proposition and its ability to meet the needs of today's travellers.”