Words by Hannah Tan-Gillies
There are very few places in the world that are as magical as Glenapp Castle, and even less that have so successfully maintained the delicate balance between old world luxury and modern hospitality. A balance thoroughly achieved by the team behind Glenapp Castle, which is a sumptuous ‘home from home’ for luxury travellers on the Ayrshire Coast.
Hotel
Glenapp Castle is a stunning 21-bedroom Relais and Chateaux hotel that is a wonderfully secluded hideaway to reset and recharge away from the macro-anxieties of the real world. Every detail in this beautiful castle property is carefully considered, from the timeless décor that respects the castle’s rich history and the perfectly manicured grounds, to the impeccable manner of the staff and the breadth of the wellness and sporting activities on offer. There is certainly no other place quite like it in Scotland, and probably the rest of the world.
Glenapp Castle, designed by renowned Edinburgh architect David Bryce – for industrialist James Hunter, later owned by shipmaster James Lyle Mackay of P&O Ferries, and now under the care of hoteliers Paul and Poppy Szkiler – stands handsomely atop a hill that overlooks the coastline, offering incredible views of Ailsa Craig, and on a clear day, Northern Ireland too.
Room
We stayed in the Garleffin, one of the grand garden view suites, which was generously sized, lavishly decorated and fitted with all the modern amenities a luxury traveller could ever need. Dressed in a regal colour palette of gold and navy, our room was complete with a beautiful fireplace, wood desk, and opulent silk curtains. It was also one of the only spaces in the hotel to offer both garden and sea views, with windows on either side.
The pièce de résistance at Glenapp Castle is the newly launched penthouse apartment, The Endeavour. This historic castle apartment occupies the entire top floor of Glenapp Castle and was four years in the making.
A true endeavour, this sprawling four-bedroom five-bathroom space spans 420 sqm and features a spa room, media room, library, games room, fully kitted kitchen, and a dining room that can seat up to 16 guests, with a private chef and personal butler too.
Sitting at the pinnacle of the hotel, The Endeavour offers the most breath-taking views of the majestic coastlines of Ayr. Just like The Endeavour sits atop crown of castle, Glenapp Castle too is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Scottish luxury.
Food
After a day full of activities, there is nothing more satisfying than heading back to the hotel for a truly spectacular dinner that celebrates the best of Scottish fine dining. There is no menu at Glenapp, because every night, executive chef Joe Gould creates a new menu depending on the ingredients available on site. Every single dish is made with only the freshest and highest quality locally sourced ingredients from shellfish to herbs.
The hotel offers a fabulous six-course tasting menu, with mostly Scottish ingredients, vegetables and fruits sourced from the hotel’s own garden. We started with an aperitif, followed by a delicate parsnip velouté with chorizo and nut, then a wonderfully balanced wild mushroom risotto with beetroot, blue cheese and compressed Williams pear.
Next up was a tempura mackerel and tartare combo, with black garlic emulsion, followed by the succulent roast breast of cornfed chicken with garlic and thyme pomme fondant, shiitake mushroom and madeira sauce. As a final flourish, we indulged in a cherry soufflé with brown butter ice cream. Paired with a delicious Château Montaiguillon Merlot from Saint-Émillion, it was truly a dining experience like no other.
Unsurprisingly, breakfast didn’t disappoint, and Glenapp Castle offered all the classics with some distinctly Scottish additions. We recommend trying the grilled Galloway Smokehouse kipper or the cold Ayrshire gammon and tomato with Mull of Kintyre cheddar cheese for a truly Scottish take on breakfast. Overall, the quality of the ingredients is second-to-none, but the flair and creativity in which all the dishes were executed is incomparable.
To do
There’s plenty to explore both inside and outside of the main building. Inside, there is the palatial lounge area, complete with grand piano and roaring fire, that is the ideal spot to enjoy afternoon tea. There is also a handsome wood-panelled library and two separate dining rooms, each one offering its own distinctive views of the estate. The library became the venue for an early morning yoga session during our stay, which is a wonderfully calming way to start a morning in Glenapp.
Outside, Glenapp boasts 110 acres of picturesque Scottish countryside and woodlands. We embarked on our own journey of introspection with a ‘Forest Bathing’ session led by Justine, as we meditated beneath giant redwoods, foraged, and got back in touch with nature.
The Victorian Glasshouse, located in the hotel’s beautiful walled gardens, is being painstakingly restored and offers a private foliage-filled sanctuary. The glasshouse is currently serving light lunches (and is open to non-residents), but according to Glenapp managing director Jill Chalmers, it will soon be expanded to become a full-service restaurant, ready for next year.
There’s a wealth of outdoor activities, 65 actually, available at Glenapp Castle, including perfume making, archery, an up close and personal birds of prey experience, clay pigeon shooting, and even tank driving. The highlight is the bespoke Hebridean Safari, which takes guests on a four-night adventure getting up close and personal with Scottish wildlife.
The hotel has also partnered with Barbara Griffin of Transform Body and Mind to launch an inaugural Woodland Wellness Retreat this November that maximises the beauty of the estate’s natural surroundings. The bespoke three-day retreat gives guests the chance to immerse themselves in a life-changing natural retreat ahead of the busy festive season.
Getting there
Glenapp Castle is a breath-taking hour and forty-minute drive away from Glasgow, and if you are travelling to Glasgow from London, there is undoubtedly no better way to travel than via the Caledonian Sleeper. Coined as ‘the most civilised way to travel from London to Glasgow’, the Caledonian Sleeper trains offer the ultimate in luxury train travel.
The Club Rooms come with an ensuite and, while compact, offer everything you need for an overnight stay, including luxury amenities, USB ports, and fluffy towels. Breakfast is served at the dining cart, and we highly recommend trying the ‘Highland Breakfast’ a full English with a Scottish twist – which is served with panache by the incredible staff at the Caledonian Sleeper.
Factbox
A stay in one of Glenapp Castle’s garden view suites can be booked from £415 on a bed and breakfast basis. Guests can book the whole floor of The Endeavour from £2,750 in the winter months (November – March) and £3,950 in the summer months (April to October) per night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Hannah travelled to Glenapp Castle via The Caledonian Sleeper in a club twin room, which starts at £275 for double occupancy on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information visit sleeper.scot.
Address: Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae, Girvan KA26 0NZ
Phone: 01465 831212
Email: info@glenappcastle.com
Website: glenappcastle.com
