Luxury Travel Advisor - December 2007 - (Page 42) TAKEOVER HOTELS Glenapp Castle A member of Relais & Châteaux, Glenapp Castle (www.glenapp castle.com) is a majestically restored 17-room baronial castle built in 1870 that can be bought out by groups. Nestled inside the Scottish fishing village of Ballantrae in Ayrshire overlooking the Irish Sea, it’s about 90 minutes from Glasgow. All guest rooms and suites are gussied up with fine antiques, great works of art and topped off with modern-day technological amenities and toiletries courtesy of Penhaligon’s. The largest accommodations are the Arran Suite and the two Master Rooms, Earl of Inchcape and Earl of Orkney. The views from these three guest rooms are incredible, allowing VIPs to take in the lush castle gardens and coastline. They’re also perfect for dining in suite; all boast fireplaces, too. A ground floor family suite has two connecting bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathrooms. Other viewfilled rooms include the sea-view Countess of Inchcape and the garden-view Knockdolian. The castle’s dining rooms and restaurant are perfect for five-course repasts under the auspices of Michelin-star chef Matt Weedon. Though there’s no spa on the property, there is a small one-treatment-room facility just a few miles down the road. Set just 10 feet from the sea, the most popular treatment is the hot stone massage and either one of the spa’s two masseuses are considered topnotch. It is highly recommended that treatments be booked ahead through the hotel’s reception desk (44-1465-831212). Family friendly to the nth degree, there are plenty of child-friendly places and spaces throughout the extensive grounds, including an all-weather tennis court, croquet lawn and Victorian glasshouse. Babysitters are easily arranged. Off-site activities such Scotland as horseback riding, archery, quad biking and Animal Farm Park visits are available through the Turnberry Activity Centre and can be arranged with hotel reception. Staff can set up luxury transportation in a Rolls Royce, estate safaris in a Land Rover, skeet shooting, salmon and trout fishing—even calling in a full pipe band. Helicopter service is available from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, about an hour’s drive away. For special arrangements, contact owners Graham and Fay Cowen (info@glenappcastle. com). — Lauren Price YOU AND YOUR CLAN can take over Glenapp for a holiday or special occasion 42 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | December 2007 http://www.glenappcastle.com http://www.glenappcastle.com http://www.glenappcastle.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.