All the reasons to love Red Carnation Hotels

We are a family in the true sense of the word. Family-owned and family-run, our warm, inclusive ethos embodies everything we do, embracing every guest, every hotel and every member of the Red Carnation team. Today the collection proudly stands at 18 exceptional properties around the world, each unique and special, whilst sharing the founding values that define the family-owned and run business.

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. We believe in creating thoughtful ‘tiny noticeable touches’ for our guests, from unique and authentic local experiences, special activities for our younger guests, to taking care of our V.I.Ps (Very Important Pets).

Red Carnation Hotels is lovingly named after the signature flower worn by Stanley, the husband of our President and Founder, Beatrice Tollman. It is proudly worn by each and every member of our team as a symbol of our passion, commitment and care. The Oyster Box in South Africa also plays a special role in this love story, as this hotel is where Beatrice and Stanley shared their first meal together back in 1952.

Our hotels are a celebration of their heritage and location, with a unique story to tell - whether that’s through the buildings' fascinating history, unique design, one-of-a-kind experiences or the memorable characters within our teams. We are very proud that most of our team members have been with us for many years, and that our guests enjoy being warmly welcomed back to our hotels by familiar faces, as part of our Red Carnation family.

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, our hotels are proud of their unique locations. Neighbours 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. 

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

Our hotel design is conceptualised by Beatrice Tollman, along with daughter Toni Tollman, and no two rooms are the same. Each and every design detail has been carefully considered with the rich history of the hotel building and the comfort of our guests. Expect deep hand-woven carpets, exquisite fabrics, antique or custom-made furnishings, hand-crafted chandeliers and an art collection that has been curated over 70 years.

Our strong local relationships and network of expert insiders create purposeful connections and extraordinary experiences for our guests, from little-known gems to personal favourites, always tailor-made down to the smallest detail. From private in-suite performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and private tours of the Royal Albert Hall and curator talks from The British Museum. Guests can even learn how to make traditional Irish soda bread on a sheep farm in the West of Ireland.

We believe in a holistic approach to wellness through rest, nourishment and genuine connections with both the people and the place. Our spas offer restorative journeys and modern therapies to heal, restore and calm. Our unique experiences offer an opportunity to connect with the local community in a meaningful way, and our culinary journeys offer guests the opportunity to interact with our specialist teams for a journey through the senses.

From the restoration of our 800-year-old Ashford Castle in Ireland to being the proud custodian of 150 rock art sites, some dating back 10,000 years at Bushmans Kloof in the Western Cape. Each hotel is a landmark of history and heritage, full of character and charm and accentuated by original artwork and antiques that give our guests a sense of place, and a hint of the past.

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