Dunluce Lodge, Links Collection’s five-star hotel on the stunning Causeway Coast, has been named Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 Licensed & Catering News (LCN) Awards, just three months after launching at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

The luxury hotel, managed by Valor Hospitality, took home the coveted accolade, which celebrates excellence in Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector, and recognises newcomers that bring something unique to the region’s industry.

Dunluce Lodge opened as the Causeway Coast’s newest luxury hotel in March this year offering 35 luxury suites. This includes eight in The Stookan, the hotel’s private suite for larger groups, together with an intimate world-class restaurant, an intimate spa and private dining spaces.

The hotel’s first award closely follows Valor Hospitality’s wider success in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK 2025, in which it ranked in the Top 10 Very Big Organisations category for a consecutive year.

Valor also took the top spot in the inaugural industry category for hospitality, adding to the global hotel management company’s growing list of accolades that recognise excellence in employee engagement.

Forming part of Valor Hospitality’s expanding luxury portfolio, Dunluce Lodge is one of two stunning hotels to launch this year, operated by Valor on behalf of Links Collection. The second, the stunning Seaton House at St Andrews, offers 42 guest rooms and suites and a new Ondine Oyster & Grill by SAVOR UK's Head of Culinary and Chef Patron, Roy Brett.

Stephen Meldrum, General Manager at Dunluce Lodge, said: “Since we opened the doors at Dunluce Lodge in March, the stunning hotel has gone from strength to strength, offering an unmatched luxury experience that sits perfectly within the iconic golf destination at Royal Portrush. Our team of ‘Hotelitarians’ at Dunluce Lodge have delivered outstanding service since day one, and the Newcomer of the Year award is all thanks to their hard work and passion for luxury hospitality. The team are very excited for the first major golfing event in our iconic home at Royal Portrush, and we are eagerly preparing for the 153rd Open in July.”

Valor manages 40 hotels in the UK, forming part of a global portfolio of almost 100 hotels across 65 cities and 16 countries, including other well-known global hotel brands and independent hotels.