5 Star Castle Scotland: Glenapp Castle on the Beautiful Scottish Coast
We found one of the best 5-star castles in Scotland. Our Glenapp Castle review has all you need to know about this unique Scotland castle hotel.
Castles and Carpools began as a way to share the absolute best things our travel-obsessed family has found. It was born with the idea that travel should be special every time. And that the stories of those giving back to the world in which we travel should be told.
Hence the “castle” part of the name. Castles, to me, where a synonym for that gem that you can hardly believe you found.
Most often those places aren’t the turret and stone structures for which the term was coined.
But, every once in a while, they quite literally are, well, castles.
I’ve never met a castle I didn’t like actually.
When we planned to visit the United Kingdom, I learned there are some magnificent castles hotels in Scotland.
We chose one, Glenapp Castle, to call home for our stay.
We loved this unique and beautiful 5-star castle hotel in Scotland.
And it turns out we’re not the only ones who were pretty impressed with it. The property has earned the Relais & Chateaux seal of approval. It was recently featured on the BBC program Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. And it’s received lots of accolades over the years, like making Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the best Scottish hotels you can stay in.
Here’s our full Glenapp Castle review to help you decide if it’s the perfect place to stay for your family vacation to Scotland.
Location of Glenapp Castle
Glenapp is located in the village of Ballantrae in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It’s on the western coast of the country, just over one and half hours from Glasgow and two hours and 45 minutes from Edinburgh.
Ayrshire is fairly rural and known as an agricultural area. Driving to the castle, you’ll see rolling hills, pastures of sheep and other livestock, and fields filled with crops. Houses in the area tend to be charming stone structures with graveled gardens in front.
You’ll also be minutes from the gorgeous Scottish coast. Rocky and sandy shorelines will be on your right if coming from Glasgow. You’ll also pass Dunure Castle ruins, which dates back to the 12th century.
The location of the castle hotel helps define what it is you’ll be doing here. It’s a world away from the industrial center of Glasgow and the hub of Edinburgh. People come here to relax and get away. It has all the culture of Scotland, but in a countryside setting.
History of Glenapp Castle
In the world of castles, Glenapp is young. Because while some date back many centuries, this one was built in 1870. But, its history is rich and varied and oh-so-castle worthy.
The estate was originally owned by the Earl of Orkney. The industrialist James Hunter, who later became the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire, bought it to build a home for himself.
In 1917 the castle was acquired by James Lyle Mackay, a successful businessmen who was also the son of a wealthy shipmaster. He went on become Chairman of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co (P&O).
Mackey’s daughter, Elsie, was perhaps one of the most intriguing residents of the castle. She was a well-known actress under the name Poppy Wyndham, an interior designer, and an aviator. While attempting to fly across the Atlantic in 1928, her plane disappeared. Tragically, she and her co-pilot were never seen again.
After the Mackay family sold the castle, it fell into a disrepair that would last several decades. In 1994, the McMillans, a family of hoteliers from Scotland, bought the property. The daughter of the family, Fay Cowen, and her husband, Graham, began a six year restoration of the castle and grounds.
In 2015, the castle was bought by the Chairman of the Truestone Corporation, Paul Szkiler, and his wife, Poppy. The couple still own the property today. The Szkilers focus on environmental and social responsibility, ensuring the castle is operated in a way that honors the local community.
The Grounds of Glenapp
Long before you actually get to the castle part of Glenapp Castle, the scene is set with a tree-lined drive leading to the property.
As you enter the grounds, you’ll soon see the stone chateau, complete with towers and a circular, grand entrance.
The back of the castle features gardens, an outdoor sitting area, and trails to explore. It also houses a greenhouse that’s been converted into a space for dining.
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Rooms at the Castle
With 17 main guest rooms and four penthouse bedrooms, Glenapp is a boutique castle hotel. Its winding hallways and many staircases help guests envision what it must have been like to live here when it was a private home.
The castle has a Victorian feel. Rich tapestries can be found on furniture and pillows and hanging from the large windows throughout. Marble bathrooms and high ceilings create a sense of grandeur.
Yet, in true Scottish fashion, that grandeur doesn’t feel stuffy. Those tapestried pillows are also actually comfy. The Victorian decor? It’s mixed in with fun nods to the property’s nautical past.
So, while you might feel like royalty here, don’t worry that you won’t fit in as a commoner.
The Penthouse Suite bedrooms:
It turns out our group of two families traveling together had the perfect set-up to book the penthouse suite at Glenapp.
The suite comes with a higher price-tag but also some pretty fantastic extras. We’ll get to more of that later, but know that for starters, it’s located within easy yet private access to the rest of the castle.
It sleeps eight in four separate bedrooms. All bedrooms have their own private bath. Bedrooms are not set up in a linear fashion but rather one is up a spiral staircase. One is around a corner from the dining area. And two others are down a short hall.
So, while my directionally-challenged self did get a little lost just exploring the space, it creates a non-cookie cutter feel that adds to the charm.
The Penthouse Suite Dining and Kitchen Space:
The penthouse suits comes with a full private kitchen with an eating nook and a separate dining room with seating for eight.
The kitchen is filled with modern appliances and was accessible to us throughout our stay. It made keeping our teenage boy fed easy, which is no small task as moms of teens know. It also was where we could find beer, wine, or cocktails or a small bite at our leisure.
The eating nook is where we enjoyed coffee and tea in the morning and ate a casual brunch one day.
The penthouse suite sitting areas and Extras:
This suite comes with no less than three sitting areas. One is located beside the dining room, in open floor plan style. Two are located as you come off the elevator to the penthouse floor.
One of the three sitting areas has a large, mirrored tv, complete with a gaming station, and a comfortable couch. The other sitting room has a chess table and large couch with ottoman. A powder room is near the sitting room.
As if that’s not enough, the penthouse has a treatment room and a sauna.
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Other guest Rooms at Glenapp:
Although we stayed in the penthouse suite because of the size of our party, there are other great room options at Glenapp.
The rooms in the castle feature the same beautiful linens, draperies, and traditional decor as the penthouse. And each room is unique.
The Sitting Room Areas:
After you climb cascading stairs to the main part of the castle, you’ll see a large sitting area. This is where guests can enjoy tea during the day and chat with other guests.
Dining on-site
As a somewhat rurally located resort, you can usually expect to eat all of your meals at the castle. But, never fear. The chefs at Glenapp are amazing.
Guests have a few different options for dining and some varying menus from which to choose.
Restaurants and Dining Spaces:
The main dining room is located in the central section of the castle. Before the meal, canapés and drinks are served in the sitting room beside the dining area. Meeting the other guests during that time was one of our favorite parts. Diners choose either a 3-course or 7-course tasting menu for their meals.
The garden-themed glasshouse known as the Azalea Room is in a separate building from the main castle. It’s open for both traditional and private dining.
A small library style room is also available for private dining and it’s located near the main dining room. And an outside dining table is a great place for tea or lunch when the weather permits.
For penthouse guests, the dining room in the private apartment is available for meals as well. The large dining table can fit 8 guests. (We squeezed in 9 because we had one in our party staying in a castle bedroom.) Or the eating nook and bar area in the kitchen can accommodate just as many in a more casual space. Canapés and drinks can be served in the penthouse sitting rooms before the meal.
Our group had a tough time deciding which was our favorite - dining in the penthouse or the Azalea Room. My vote was the gorgeous Azalea Room, which we ate in on a rainy evening. The place was exploding with British charm, quaintness, and the most beautiful flowers.
Menu Choices:
There was more of a consensus among our group about which meal was our favorite.
The luxury barbecue menu served in the Azalea Room was phenomenal and impossible to beat. Everything from ribs to burgers to the most delicious salads, the food was fantastic.
Our other meals were also wonderful during our stay. We decided to try traditional Scottish choices, like haggis, Scotch eggs, and lots of fish dishes. Those with less adventurous taste buds, have a few options that might be a bit more familiar though.
Service and Atmosphere at the Castle
What’s a castle without the people who make you feel like royalty?
The staff at Glenapp go out of their way to do just that. John, the castle manager, is the epitome of service and hospitality. Ben, the operations manager, is a dose of sunshine every time you see him. And the rest of the staff follow suit - they’re welcoming, friendly and engaging.
True to the friendliness of Scots, there’s also an air of familiarity. So, while sure there’s fine dining and white linen tablecloths, there are few dress codes and etiquette rules that you feel obliged to remember.
Think less pinkies up, more clap on the back. Less formality, more get-to-know-you real conversations.
And as for other guests at the castle, you’ll find more of the same. Many of the guests during our stay were American, with others being from various parts of Europe, especially Britain. However, during times when it’s not school holiday season in the U.S., the staff said more guests tend to be from Europe than the U.S.
Amenities and Activities
Glenapp Castle prides itself on offering a ton of activities for its guests to enjoy.
Many activities involve exploring outdoors. Falconry, archery, tennis, full day sea explorations, kayaking and guided hikes are just some of those offered.
A few activities are available indoors. Perfume making, whisky tasting, and tea time are among the indoor options.
And trips to places like Culzean Castle or the Mull of Galloway are samples of the excursions the staff can arrange for you away from the castle.
Many activities are offered year-round while some, like curling and star gazing, are winter activities. Others like kayaking or golfing are reserved for warmer weather.
Our favorite activities, which also happened to be free, were exploring the grounds of the castle by hiking and biking. The castle offers a few e-bikes and regular bikes and the coast is easily reachable by bike. There are also miles of hiking trails on the property. And although Scotland’s rainy weather can mean it’s a bit muddy on the trails, no need to worry. The castle even has boots available to borrow.
