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Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Luxury Scots hotel in popular seaside spot crowned best spa & golf destination
Read on for the full list of winners A LUXURY hotel located in a popular Scottish seaside spot has been crowned the best spa and golf destination. The Gailes Hotel scooped the top gong at this year's highly-valued Innis and Gunn Prestige Hotel Awards. 4 The Gailes hotel in Irvine has been crowned the best spa and golf destination Credit: SimpsInns 4 The on-site restaurant serves up some tasty meals for guests 4 An overnight spa break includes a hot tub The Oscars of the hotel world were dished out at a swanky ceremony in Glasgow last week. Finalists from all over Scotland attended the event which was hosted by Des Clarke at Doubletree By Hilton. And the Gailes Hotel on Marine Drive in Irvine, Ayrshire, scooped the award for the best spa and golf hotel. The hotel and spa is owned by Irvine-based Simpson family, who are the driving force behind SimpsInns. They own and operate a collection of award- winning hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, golf and leisure activities along the Ayrshire coast, including The Loans at Troon. Located just 40 minutes from Glasgow, The Gailes Hotel & Spa has a reputation as one of Ayrshire's leading luxury wellness destinations, offering a collection of over 50 personalised treatments, day spa packages and overnight chill-out breaks. It's surrounded by some of Scotland's world famous links courses plus there's a full range of facilities on site at Gailes Golf. Western Gailes, Dundonald Links and Gailes Links are on their doorstep, while Open Championship venues such as Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick are all within easy reach. On site, golf fanatics can enjoy Ayrshire's only Toptracer driving range, PGA teaching studio and much more. SimpsInns' Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride was also Highly Recommended in the Four Star Hotel category. Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way Malcolm Simpson from SimpsInns, said: "We're extremely proud to have been recognised once again as an industry leader and for offering some of the best hotel, spa and golf experiences in Scotland. "This latest award success for two of our hotels is testament to the hard work of our amazing team, who continually go above and beyond to ensure every guest enjoys a fantastic experience with us and keep coming back." Malcolm added: "Continued investment has been a key strategy for the growth of Simpsinns over the last three years, with over £4 million invested across the group. We're committed to enhancing the quality of the guest experience across the group, including our newly refurbished restaurant at Loans Inn and the addition of 17 new bedrooms and sea view spa at The Waterside later this year." Awards Director Warren Paul said: "It's worth saying the calibre of the people here tonight is quite incredible – it's fantastic for us to see very senior bosses from hotels across the country here in person introducing their future generations to us, and demonstrating just how important and impactful these awards can be. 4 The venue has a reputation as one of Ayrshire's leading luxury wellness destinations "They're all the very best operators in Scotland, delivering amazing service and much- needed escape from the rigours of modern life. "We all need time out to rest, recover, recharge – especially right now – so our world-class, in fact world-beating hospitality industry should be celebrated and shouted from the rooftops. "I really wish the powers that be would support and help the hard-working people who give up their weekends, days and nights to offer the rest of us all sorts of amazing breaks and escapes. "Whatever you want to do, you can find it in Scotland – and here tonight. Full list of Prestige 2025 winners BEST 3* Hotel - Brander Lodge Hotel BEST 4* Hotel (CENTRAL( - The Parklands Hotel, Perth BEST 4* Hotel (EAST) - The Scholar Hotel BEST 4* Hotel (NORTH) - The Glenesk Country House Hotel and Spa BEST 4* Hotel (WEST) - Glasgow Marriott Hotel BEST 5* Hotel - Rusacks St. Andrews BEST B&B / GUESTHOUSE - The Auld Kirk B&B BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL - Cromlix BEST CITY HOTEL - Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel BEST CONCIERGE - Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow – John Leese BEST COUNTRY HOTEL - Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe BEST ECO/SUSTAINABLE HOTEL - Voco Haymarket Edinburgh BEST EVENTS AND CONFERENCE HOTEL - Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow BEST GENERAL MANAGER - Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central – Andrew Diegan BEST HISTORIC/HERITAGE HOTEL - Cromlix BEST HOLIDAY RENTAL ACCOMDATION - Harris Hideaway BEST HOTEL BAR - Radisson RED Glasgow BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT - Rusacks St. Andrews BEST INDEPENDENTLY OWNED HOTEL - Glynhill Hotel & Spa BEST ISLAND HOTEL - Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa BEST PET FRIENDLY HOTEL - The Riverside Lodge Hotel BEST SPA/GOLF HOTEL - The Gailes Hotel & Spa BEST TEAM - The Scholar Hotel BEST VALUE HOTEL - Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen BEST WEDDING HOTEL - Lochside House Hotel RAD "From the perfect wedding hotel to the most incredible hotel bar in the heart of Glasgow's music city, country retreats, island hotels, bustling city breaks, cosy retreats for private rental, all of it. "We have it all, Scotland really is special and the offerings in this trade are stellar. That's why we are here – to showcase the results of the hard work by so many people, and to recognise and thank them." Elsewhere at the awards, Andy Murray's luxury five-star Cromlix resort served up a double win at the Hotel Oscars. And the Best Value award went to the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Aberdeen. Other standouts including Rusacks St Andrews, Edinburgh's Voco Haymarket and Radisson RED Glasgow picked up key honours.
Glasgow Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Scotland Blue Light Awards to honour emergency service workers
The awards, created to celebrate the unsung heroes of the emergency services, will take place on October 30 at the DoubleTree by Hilton. The event will be hosted by award-winning comedian and Heart Breakfast presenter Des Clarke. Read more: 'I would not be here today': Glasgow nurse's quick thinking saves colleagues life It aims to recognise the efforts of the more than 305,000 people working in emergency services throughout the UK and Ireland. The Blue Light Awards were founded by Connect Through Service and are led by co-directors Jason Gillard and Graham Given. Jason said: "Every emergency services worker has a story, often of quiet heroism and resilience, that deserves to be heard. "This event is about putting those stories at the centre and saying thank you in a meaningful way." Graham said: "Our awards are about more than just recognition, it's about connection. "We want the Scotland Blue Light Awards to be shaped by the people who see the impact of emergency services every day: teammates, families and the communities they serve." Following the success of the inaugural Northern Ireland event earlier this year, the Blue Light Awards are now being launched in Scotland. The awards provide a platform to recognise and thank frontline emergency services workers. They will honour individuals from various sectors including fire and rescue, paramedics, control room staff, mountain rescue teams, and police. Read more: 'Well-deserved recognition': Glasgow nurses shortlisted for prestigious awards Des Clarke, host of the Scottish ceremony, said: "It's a huge honour to be part of an evening dedicated to celebrating the real heroes in our society. "These are the people who step up when it matters most, and I'm proud to help shine a light on their courage and commitment." Nominations are now open to the public and emergency service organisations, with entries set to be reviewed by an independent panel of judges. Some of the categories include Blue Light Voluntary Search and Rescue Service of the Year, Bravery and Courage Award, Resilience and Learning From Major Incidents Award, Blue Light Team of the Year, and Overcoming Adversity Award. There are also categories for animal trainers, corporate partners, individuals, services, and those demonstrating international best practice. Scotland Charity Air Ambulance and Blue Light Minds are the two charity partners of the event. To find out more information about the awards, or to submit a nomination, people can visit the Blue Lights Awards website.
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Scotland to honour emergency services heroes with Blue Light Awards
Every siren you hear, every uniform you pass, every unseen hour worked through the night — behind it is an individual, team or organisation who show up without question; our Emergency Services. The Blue Light Awards were created to honour these unsung heroes. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Over 305,000 people work in emergency services across the UK and Ireland. Many put themselves in harm's way. Many go unrecognised. The Blue Light Awards are a chance to give thanks while these people are still on the job, still showing up, still making a difference. The Blue Light Awards, a prestigious celebration of the extraordinary individuals who serve in emergency services, are launching in Scotland this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Awards will take place on Thursday, October 30, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, shining a well-deserved spotlight on those who routinely go above and beyond to keep communities safe. Host Des Clarke Hosted by award-winning comedian and Heart Breakfast presenter Des Clarke, the event will bring together frontline professionals from across Scotland for a night of heartfelt recognition and celebration. Following the incredible impact of the inaugural Northern Ireland event earlier this year, the Blue Light Awards are now launching in Scotland, offering a powerful new platform to recognise and thank frontline emergency services workers. From fire and rescue crews to paramedics, control room staff, mountain rescue teams and police, the Blue Light Awards dedicate the spotlight to the people who quietly carry enormous responsibility in communities across the UK and Ireland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Blue Light Awards are founded by Connect Through Service and led by Co-Directors Jason Gillard and Graham Given. Scotland's Blue Light Awards Jason Gillard, Co-Director of the Blue Light Awards, said: "Every emergency services worker has a story, often of quiet heroism and resilience, that deserves to be heard. This event is about putting those stories at the centre and saying thank you in a meaningful way." Graham Given, Co-Director, added: 'Our Awards are about more than just recognition, it's about connection. We want the Scotland Blue Light awards to be shaped by the people who see the impact of emergency services every day: teammates, families and the communities they serve." Des Clarke, host of the Scottish ceremony, said: 'It's a huge honour to be part of an evening dedicated to celebrating the real heroes in our society. These are the people who step up when it matters most, and I'm proud to help shine a light on their courage and commitment.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nominations are now open to the public and emergency service organisations. Entries are carefully reviewed by a highly esteemed independent panel of judges. Some of the categories included are; Blue Light Voluntary Search & Rescue Service of the Year, Bravery & Courage Award, Resilience & Learning From Major Incidents Award, Blue Light Team of the Year, Overcoming Adversity Award, alongside categories for animal trainers, corporate partners, individuals, services and those demonstrating international best practice. Scotland Charity Air Ambulance and Blue Light Minds are the two charity partners of the event.
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Scotland's Blue Light Awards to honour emergency services heroes
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Every siren you hear, every uniform you pass, every unseen hour worked through the night — behind it is an individual, team or organisation who show up without question; our Emergency Services. The Blue Light Awards were created to honour these unsung heroes. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Over 305,000 people work in emergency services across the UK and Ireland. Many put themselves in harm's way. Many go unrecognised. The Blue Light Awards are a chance to give thanks while these people are still on the job, still showing up, still making a difference. The Blue Light Awards, a prestigious celebration of the extraordinary individuals who serve in emergency services, are launching in Scotland this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Awards will take place on Thursday, October 30, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow, shining a well-deserved spotlight on those who routinely go above and beyond to keep communities safe. Host Des Clarke Hosted by award-winning comedian and Heart Breakfast presenter Des Clarke, the event will bring together frontline professionals from across Scotland for a night of heartfelt recognition and celebration. Following the incredible impact of the inaugural Northern Ireland event earlier this year, the Blue Light Awards are now launching in Scotland, offering a powerful new platform to recognise and thank frontline emergency services workers. From fire and rescue crews to paramedics, control room staff, mountain rescue teams and police, the Blue Light Awards dedicate the spotlight to the people who quietly carry enormous responsibility in communities across the UK and Ireland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Blue Light Awards are founded by Connect Through Service and led by Co-Directors Jason Gillard and Graham Given. Scotland's Blue Light Awards Jason Gillard, Co-Director of the Blue Light Awards, said: "Every emergency services worker has a story, often of quiet heroism and resilience, that deserves to be heard. This event is about putting those stories at the centre and saying thank you in a meaningful way." Graham Given, Co-Director, added: 'Our Awards are about more than just recognition, it's about connection. We want the Scotland Blue Light awards to be shaped by the people who see the impact of emergency services every day: teammates, families and the communities they serve." Des Clarke, host of the Scottish ceremony, said: 'It's a huge honour to be part of an evening dedicated to celebrating the real heroes in our society. These are the people who step up when it matters most, and I'm proud to help shine a light on their courage and commitment.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nominations are now open to the public and emergency service organisations. Entries are carefully reviewed by a highly esteemed independent panel of judges. Some of the categories included are; Blue Light Voluntary Search & Rescue Service of the Year, Bravery & Courage Award, Resilience & Learning From Major Incidents Award, Blue Light Team of the Year, Overcoming Adversity Award, alongside categories for animal trainers, corporate partners, individuals, services and those demonstrating international best practice. Scotland Charity Air Ambulance and Blue Light Minds are the two charity partners of the event. For more information or to submit a nomination, please visit:
