GL ENA PP- E A L
£ 1m upgrade at five- star Glenapp Castle will make sure Ayrshire retreat is right up their with the best
The staff are clearly close- knit, evident when they assemble for a photo at the front entrance and they chat and joke happily.
The owners are keen to spend money locally and are especially proud of their relationship with Eric the Ballantrae lobster guy as well as their backing for the Ballantrae Food Festival.
The grounds feature 60 new wooden signs made by Carrick Cooperage so folks don’t get lost in the 36- acre glen.
Staff are encouraged to interact with guests and with characters like executive head chef David “Big Dave” Alexander, it must be fun.
Away from the formal dinners, this season he presided over the casual lunch and afternoon tea offerings in the walled garden.
At £ 27.50 – “£ 10 cheaper than Turnberry” chirps John – they include a local Hendrick’s gin cocktail.
Dave said: “We have just closed for the season after opening for the first time in July. People can sit out in the walled garden and see all the fresh produce which we use in the kitchen.
“They can come in for something as simple as a coffee and scone and get a free walk around the grounds. Yes, we look after staying guests, but anyone can also book in for the afternoon.”
Big Dave is particular enthused about the opening of a seasonal whisky and snooker hang- out in an old gardeners bothy. The snooker table arrived last week and the stock of malt – including specials from Grants in Girvan – is growing.
He said: “It means guests can feel they are going out from the castle and have a jolly good time. We are all interested to see how it will go down.”
If the size of the crystal glasses is anything to go by, I would imagine quite well.
The whisky bothy has yet to be named, but perhaps ‘ Jimmy’s’ has a ring to it after James Hunter, Glenapp’s first owner in 1870 before the Earls of Inchcape moved in.
The Inchcapes left it in some state before the Cowans turned it into a retreat, populated by A- list stars for its privacy and discretion.
John said: “I believe this to be Fay and Graham’s greatest work. They spent seven years living in one bedroom and took Glenapp from dereliction to what it is today.”
John was preparing for a board meeting on Friday in which directors were to be told occupancy has increased, revenue is up on last year and stays are getting longer.
About 60 per cent of guests are British, with Americans making up the bulk of overseas business.
The sales teams at Trump Turnberry and Glenapp have done some joint marketing as the offerings are so different they are not in competition.
Closure for the major work will also allow a deep clean downstairs, in particular the 14 chandeliers which will take four- and- a- half hours each.
They have engaged an Edinburgh practice who had studied the work of the Glenapp architect David Bryce for the change, which includes some structural work.
John said: “Walking around with this guy was eye- opening. He’d never been here but dated windows to within two years, told us the old billiard room used to be on the top floor and pointed out the decorative vents for cigar smoke.”
The hotel was full on Thursday, including Americans on pheasant - shooting breaks.
It is hoped more far- flung guests will be lured by a haunting movie – “From Dawn to Dusk” – featuring dramatic drone footage of the estate, Alisa Craig and surrounding coast.
It was shot by Paul Szkiler’s nephew, a professional film- maker, and John said: “We are putting lots of focus on getting the marketing right, as the product is already right.
“Nobody knew who we were, where we were or what the product was. Hopefully they will now.”