Glenapp Castle receives ‘Best Hotel Experience’ accolade

Glenapp Castle, a 21-bedroom Relais and Chateaux Hotel, located on the Ayrshire coast, has received the ‘Best Hotel Experience’ accolade at the Scottish Thistle Awards 2024.

The awards ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow on Thursday 19 September.

Co-ordinated by Visit Scotland, the Scottish Thistle Awards have been recognising the “very best” of Scottish tourism for almost 30 years.

The hotel said the award win is testament to its Hebridean Sea Safari – which offers guests a four night adventure exploring the Scottish isles, including two nights exploring the Scottish coastline and glamping beneath the stars followed by two nights at the Scottish castle.

Glenapp Castle was shortlisted alongside Auchrannie Resort, Brodick and The Corrie Hotel Limited, Isle of Arran.

Those who book the Hebridean Sea Safari can spot wildlife such as thirty-foot-long basking sharks, dolphins, minke whales, and seals and also explore the remote islands of Jura, Islay, Eilean Mor MacCormick and Gigha. Ailsa Craig is also visited.

Additionally, a private chef also joins the team on board to cook up meals including lobsters, oysters, lamb and mackerel.

Jill Chalmers, managing director of Glenapp Castle, said: “We are so thrilled to have received the Scottish Thistle Award for ‘Best Hotel Experience’. What makes Glenapp Castle and our Hebridean Sea Safari so unique is our ability to deliver distinctive experiences to our guests, showing that our very special part of South West Scotland has a diverse range of breathtaking sights and fascinating wildlife, all which can be enjoyed in traditional Glenapp style.”