The Grand Island Hotel at Ulva House

The Grand Island Hotel at Ulva House is a boutique restoration project led by interior designer Banjo Beale and his husband Ro Christopher. Located on the car free Isle of Ulva in the Inner Hebrides this Category B listed former mansion is currently being reimagined as a unique seven bedroom destination. The design philosophy centers on rough luxury which is a style that honors the building’s historical bones while incorporating collected vintage pieces and reclaimed materials along with a sense of arrested decay that mirrors the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Operating under a unique community partnership model the hotel is housed within a property owned by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company. Banjo and Ro have taken on a long term repair lease investing their own resources to breathe new life into the structure which had stood empty for years. Once completed the hotel will serve as a vital part of the island’s regeneration with a portion of the business profits returning to the local community to support the continued repopulation and sustainability of Ulva.

While the transformation of the house including the restoration of its grand staircase and light filled Orangery is currently being documented for the BBC Scotland series Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel the property is not yet open to the public for bookings. Prospective guests are encouraged to follow the journey through official channels and visit the hotel’s website to express interest. When it opens the hotel promises a seasonal high end retreat focused on island produce and wild nature and an authentic Hebridean escape.