The Red Carnation Hotel Collection

England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland

Overview

For The Red Carnation Hotels, the proof is in the passion.

Family-owned and family-run, The Red Carnation collection embodies warmth and inclusivity, bringing every guest into the fold. With 15 exceptional properties throughout the world, the collection offers distinctive experiences for a variety of travel interests and styles, all with a common thread of personalized service, celebrations of history and heritage, signature dining and hand-crafted wines, and inspiring locations - from South Africa’s Western Cape to the Royal Mews in London to castle grounds overlooking Lough Corrib in Ireland. The hallmark of each property is its individuality with thoughtfully considered design and unparalleled, personalized hospitality from their dedicated team members. Striving for a true sense of place, each Red Carnation property crafts extraordinary guest experiences, from private in-suite performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to sheep-farm tours and Irish soda bread cooking lessons in Ireland.

Insider Guide

Combination Stay/Why Visit?

The Red Carnation Hotels enjoy inspiring locations. From The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, majestically perched above the Atlantic Ocean and flanked by the majestic Twelve Apostles Mountain range, to the 350-acre Ashford Castle Estate overlooking Lough Corrib in the West of Ireland, Red Carnation Hotels are proud of their unique locations. Neighbors to the royal family, The Milestone Hotel & Residences in London overlooks Kensington Palace and Gardens, whilst The Rubens at the Palace is directly located opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.

No request is too large, and no detail is too small. Every member of The Red Carnation family is empowered to make a genuine difference to every guest’s experience through generous hospitality and passionate service. At The Red Carnation Hotels, it’s the thoughtful ‘tiny noticeable touches’ that make a stay truly memorable, from unique and authentic local experiences and special activities for younger guests to exceptional care for V.I.Ps (Very Important Pets). The family takes great pride in its people, with many team members having been part of Red Carnation for many years.

Every Red Carnation Hotel is a celebration of its heritage and location, each offering its own distinct story revealed through the buildings’ fascinating histories, inspired designs, one-of-a-kind experiences, and the dedicated team whose genuine hospitality brings each hotel to life. Steeped in tradition and individuality, every hotel has a personality of its own, enriched by original artwork, antiques, and distinctive details. Together, these elements create a strong sense of place, allowing guests to experience a genuine connection to the destination while discovering a hint of the past.

Why Us?

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is a family in the true sense of the word. Family-owned and family-run, their warm, inclusive ethos embodies everything they do, embracing every guest, every hotel, and every member of the Red Carnation team. Today the Collection proudly stands at 16 exceptional properties around the world, each unique and special, whilst sharing the founding values that define the family-owned and run business.

The Red Carnation Hotels’ strong local relationships and network of expert insiders create purposeful connections and extraordinary experiences for their guests, from little-known gems to personal favorites, always tailor-made down to the smallest detail.

The Red Carnation Hotels are incredibly proud of their team of talented chefs, who combine delicious signature dishes created by Beatrice Tollman, with innovative menus inspired by locally produced and seasonal ingredients. Their sister vineyard, Bouchard Finlayson, complements their extensive wine cellar with handcrafted wines from South Africa, and their mixologists are best in class when it comes to creative cocktails and whisky and gin tasting experiences.

As a family-owned and run business, The Red Carnation Hotels genuinely care about their people and their local communities. They work hard to protect the wildlife and environments within which they operate, and are passionate about sustainability. The Red Carnation Hotels are committed to eliminating single-use plastics and have removed over 30 plastics from their hotels and supply chains. They work with Winnow Solutions to reduce their food waste and measure and manage their energy use. The Red Carnation Hotels proudly work with Clean Conscience to recycle leftover toiletries and stock Belu water throughout their hotels.

The Red Carnation Hotels has partnered with Leitha CleanCoat™, an effective and sustainable self-disinfection solution. This makes their hotel surfaces self-disinfecting, decomposing bacteria and viruses with an environmentally friendly, daily cleaning system. The Red Carnation Hotels are following the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), and continue to work closely with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to keep guests, teams, and hotels safe and healthy.

How We Travel for Good

At The Red Carnation Hotels, sustainability is central to how we define and deliver luxury. As a family-owned collection, we are committed to protecting the environments and communities that make each of our destinations so special, while creating exceptional guest experiences that leave a positive and lasting impact.

Our approach balances environmental responsibility, community engagement and responsible business practices. Across our collection, we focus on reducing our environmental footprint through energy efficiency, resource conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and biodiversity protection, while supporting the people and communities connected to our hotels.

Working in partnership with EarthCheck, we measure and continuously improve our sustainability performance through independently recognized standards and clear, measurable goals. Our dedicated sustainability teams across each property help embed responsible practices into daily operations and long-term decision-making.

From restoring native habitats in Ireland and protecting biodiversity in South Africa to supporting urban pollinators, local charities and community initiatives across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and Geneva, our sustainability efforts are shaped by the unique character of each destination while remaining guided by a shared vision.

We recognize that sustainability is an ongoing journey. Through innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we remain committed to creating meaningful experiences that benefit our guests, colleagues, communities, and the environment, ensuring that luxury and responsibility go hand in hand.

Properties in Group