Breathing new life into hotel
A globetrotting couple are celebrating the first anniversary of their business on Arran.
Meg and Serge El Adm arrived from Singapore a year ago this week to take over the Lamlash Bay Hotel.
They had fallen in love with Arran and, in a trip of just 12 hours, had sealed the deal on the hotel which they have spent the past year refurbishing.
For Meg and Serge, it represented a lifelong dream. For Serge, it was to own his own business and, for Meg, to move to Arran. She said: ‘I was born and brought up in Irvine and grew up looking over to Arran which almost seemed mystical. I was my dream then to someday live on the island – and here I am.’
However, the journey has taken Meg halfway round the world. A former air hostess, she and Serge, who had a long career in finance and business, spent 19 years living in the Gulf island state of Bahrain before moving to Singapore for four years.
‘Moving to Arran has meant we have lived in three very different islands.
‘We have lived in the desert, the jungle and now the wilderness.’
The Lamlash Bay is now very much a family-run hotel, with daughter Jenna, 17, who has just left school, pitching in to help along with her younger brother Luc, who has just turned 14.
In the past 12 months the couple have refurbished the bar and bistro, some of the 11 bedrooms and built a new kitchen extension, which means they can cope with more restaurant orders.
The bistro uses only the finest fresh produce sourced as locally as possible and all their meat comes from The Arran Butcher. The menu has something for everyone and includes popular dishes from around the world, as well as traditional Scottish favourites. And, during the summer months, they are open for lunch and dinner.
The two new balcony bedrooms, with splendid views over Holy Isle and the new reception, had just been completed when they took over and are proving popular.
Many of the 17 full and part-time staff have also stayed on.
‘The staff have been tremendously loyal and a huge support,’ said Meg.
Meg admits though it has not all been plain sailing at the former Aldersyde Hotel.
She said: ‘I would like to thank all the local tradesmen who have answered my damsel-in-distress calls. It is much appreciated.’
Meg revealed they had trepidation about moving to such a small island but said it had been their warm welcome on Arran that had made their move so special. She added: ‘I have to thank the local community for making us so welcome. People come in to just say good luck and everyone has been so friendly and supportive. The school is great and everything could not have worked out better for us.’
Business at the hotel is booming with a great Easter and the hotel rooms almost fully booked over July and August. The restaurant is really busy too.
‘Things are looking good for the summer but we know we have the winter ahead of us,’ said Meg, adding the hotel was still a ‘work in progress’.
‘It has been a steep learning curve but we are loving it and the satisfaction of having happy guests makes it all worthwhile. We feel really grateful to be here,’ said Meg.