New owner of Glenapp Castle announces expansion plans

Glenapp Castle, the five-red-AA-star, 17-bedroom hotel in Ballantrae, Ayrshire, which has just been sold by McMillan Hotels, is to expand.

Paul Szkiler, who bought the hotel for an undisclosed sum through London-based Truestone Impact Investment Management, has revealed plans to grow the hotel from 17 to around 32 bedrooms.

He told The Caterer that while he intends to retain the peace, ambience and exceptional quality of service of the Glenapp, he also aims to build its offering.

"We plan to convert a stable block around 500m from the hotel, into 12 to 15 bedrooms, over the next 12 months," he said. "We also have significant plans for the 36 acres of grounds and gardens to make the hotel as fully sustainable as possible in vegetables and maybe also by introducing some livestock."

Szkiler confirmed that John Orr, who has been castle manager at the hotel for 12 years, has been appointed general manager of Glenapp. The hotel was previously run by Fay and Graham Cowan, the daughter and son-in-law of Hammy and Janet McMillan, the founders of McMillan Hotels.

Szkiler said that he will announce further long term plans for Glenapp in due course.

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