Incredible medieval Scottish castle on Airbnb is named ‘hottest property’ in the UK and Ireland in 'Oscars of independent accommodation'
A 16th-century Scottish castle has been named the 'hottest property' in the independent UK and Ireland accommodation sector.
Kilmartin Castle, in Scotland's rural Argyll, was handed the accolade last night at a virtual ceremony for the 2022 Eviivo Awards, dubbed the 'Oscars of independent accommodation'.Each award winner was announced by surprise guest David Hasselhoff, who named Jules Murray at KVM Serviced Apartments in Cambridgeshire as 2022's 'Unsung Hero' and Catherine Cummings at Kiltariff Hall Country House in Northern Ireland as 'Outstanding Host'.
Kilmartin Castle, in Scotland's rural Argyll, has been named the 'hottest property' in the independent UK and Ireland accommodation sector. MailOnline Travel's review of Kilmartin Castle said: 'It's Game of Thrones hipster chic. An imposing, dramatic, thick-walled fortress – but with mod cons, delightful luxury boutique touches and a splash of cool (this is a castle where guests can spin vinyl)'
Kilmartin Castle was named hottest property at a virtual ceremony for the 2022 Eviivo Awards, dubbed the 'Oscars of independent accommodation'
Water great feature: Pictured here is the wild swimming pool at Kilmartin Castle
Kilmartin Castle was built in 1550 during the legendary reign of Mary Queen of Scots.
The property was an abandoned semi-ruin from 1790 until 1990 when a couple spruced it up over 10 years and used it as a holiday home.Stef Burgon and Simon Hunt bought the property for £330,000 in 2014 when they lived and worked in Dubai (Stef as a radio presenter and Simon as an ad agency creative director) and rented it to holidaymakers remotely.
Stef Burgon and Simon Hunt bought Kilmartin Castle for £330,000 in 2014. Pictured here is the incredible living room
Stef and Simon transformed Kilmartin Castle over the months and years, with dollops of determination, into the amazing property it is today
Pictured here is one of the turret ensuite bathrooms at Kilmartin Castle, complete with a rain shower and heated floor
At the end of 2018, they set up home temporarily in a camper van outside the castle and began a huge renovation project, turning it over the months and years, with dollops of determination, into the amazing property it is today.
They told MailOnline Travel: 'We were thrilled to be in amongst Eviivo’s list of hottest property finalists for 2022! There were some really great nominees, embodying the same experience-focused travel that we champion. We are already talking about going to stay with a few of them. To win is fantastic recognition for us. This inspires us to work even harder to create those special experiences for fellow travellers.'
MailOnline Travel's review of Kilmartin Castle, which can be booked through Airbnb, Sawday's and directly through the property's site, said: 'It's Game of Thrones hipster chic. An imposing, dramatic, thick-walled fortress – but with mod cons, delightful luxury boutique touches and a splash of cool (this is a castle where guests can spin vinyl).
'Plus, it has laid-back, welcoming, bonhomie-infused owners who you'll be chatting to like old friends within minutes.'
Ben Shea Smart Home in Morayshire, Scotland (pictured), was shortlisted in the Hottest Property category
Merry Harriers, Surrey, was in the running for a 2022 Hottest Property gong
Outstanding Host winner Catherine Cummings, from Kiltariff Hall Country House in Northern Ireland
Judges describe Kilmartin Castle as ‘magical, luxurious, rustic’, combining the ‘ancient and modern’ having been ‘lovingly and thoughtfully restored’, a ‘historic, ancient’ property that is ‘discovery-inducing’.
The other properties in the running for the 'Hottest Property' gold medal were Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat (The Lakehouse), Lancashire; Chambers of Distinction County Antrim, Northern Ireland; Ben Shea Smart Home, Morayshire, Scotland, and Merry Harriers, Surrey.
The other hosts in the mix for the Outstanding Host gong were Tina Lovatt at Parkets House B&B, Powys, Wales; David Looney at Tatler Jack, County Kerry, Ireland; Lauren and Keith Elstob at The Blue Bell Inn, Northumberland, and Karen Twist at Kinlochewe Hotel in Scotland.
The Unsung Hero shortlist comprised Delphine Delaveau at Robin Hill House, County Cork, Ireland; Sheila at Bay Horse Inn, North Yorkshire; Tamsin at The Bridge House, Dorset, and Tracey Toulmin at Bryn Woodlands House in Conwy, Wales.
The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts, who judged each finalist across a number of different criteria, with each winner collecting a grand prize of £1,000 to put towards their property.
Michele Fitzpatrick, CEO at hospitality software company Eviivo, added: 'We were overjoyed with the high standard and volume of entries we received for this year's awards. It was great to see so many hosts and hoteliers across the board – from B&Bs and independent hotels to self-catering rentals, apartments and alternative accommodation providers - all doing such a brilliant job.
'Congratulations to all the winners on their well-deserved wins.'
For more visit eviivo.com/week-of-the-host/winners2022.
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