A top five-star Ayrshire hotel has been shortlisted for an impressive three categories in this year’s Boutique Hotelier Awards.
Glenapp Castle in Ballantrae is selected as a finalist for the awards which reward the best hotels in the country.
The awards recognise the most innovative new products and mark the achievements of staff and employers in the hospitality sector, after an incredibly challenging year.
The 21-bedroom hotel’s gardening team have also been selected for ‘Team of the Year’ with Mark Littlejohn, Glenapp Castle’s forestry & wildlife lead, put forward as a finalist for the ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ category.
The gardening team, who work throughout the hotel’s 110-acre estate, willingly returned to work during the pandemic and ensured the gardens continued to flourish, despite not having a head gardener in place.
The team also put in place new initiatives, such as introducing a new fibre optics lighting system throughout the grounds and new power to the walled garden.
Over the past couple of years, ‘Unsung Hero’ finalist Mark has helped to create The Hebridean Sea Safari, Glenapp’s flagship activity which the hotel are becoming renowned for.
The Hebridean Sea Safari gives guests the opportunity to explore the Scottish isles in search of rare marine life, remote islands, coastal castles and distant inns.
Guests will glamp in the wild, on the beautiful and remote island of Jura, and indulge in feasts, cooked by the Glenapp Castle chef team.
Managing director Jill Chalmers said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we have been shortlisted for three categories at The Boutique Hotelier Awards.
“From the gardening team to the Hebridean Sea Safari team, Glenapp Castle is made up of true hospitality professionals who have all remained so determined, creative and positive in the face of the incredible difficulties we faced in the past year.
“It is such a tremendous achievement for our team and I feel very proud.”
The awards ceremony will be held on October 4 in London.
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