Best Luxury Hotels In Ayrshire
A short hop from the city of Glasgow, Ayrshire is a historic crescent-shaped area of the southwest coast of Scotland. Meeting the Firth of Clyde, it’s a jumping-off point for some picturesque islands and home to sandy beach resorts including Ayr, Largs, Troon and Irvine. Slightly further inland, it’s a rich farming region, with an array of locally grown produce that can be sampled in Ayrshire’s restaurants and hotels. Attractions here include the Scottish Maritime Museum, the National Trust’s Culzean Castle and Robert Burns’ Birthplace Museum. These are our favourite places to stay in Ayrshire.
Ballantrae, Ayrshire, Scotland
Glenapp Castle
(5 stars) Hidden within 36 acres of Italian gardens and woodland outside of Ballantrae, this hotel lies close to the Ayrshire coastline. A late 19th-century baronial castle, it was first intended as the family seat for the Earl of Inchcape and holds a significant claim to fame – Winston Churchill was said to have discussed the D-Day landings while staying here in the 1940s. Pursuits for the well-heeled are a speciality – shooting, fishing and falconry, as well as tennis and croquet. Inside, guests can relax beside log fires, feast on six-course meals and peruse enormous wine lists. 17 bedrooms offer a period feel filled with antiquities and panelled or marble bathrooms include Penhaligon toiletries.
Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland
Trump Turnberry
(5 stars) 
TLE Recommends: Start Your Evening Off with a cocktail in The Grand Tea Lounge & Bar, before enjoying exceptional french dining in destination restaurant 1906
Standing proudly above storied golf links and the rugged Ayrshire coastline, Trump Turnberry provides modern Edwardian opulence and attention to detail along with 800 rolling acres of countryside where legendary King Robert the Bruce once had his castle. The property has been a landmark since 1906 and not only is it a renowned golf destination, featuring the famous Ailsa course it also offers a large destination spa and a wide range of outdoor pursuits including equestrian activities and clay pigeon shooting. Dining options include its signature 1906 restaurant, Grand Tea Lounge and Bar, and the Duel in the Sun, a golf-inspired eatery each overlooking its famous golf courses.
* All the properties and products we feature are independently selected by our editors and contributors. If you buy something we may earn a commission.