Ayrshire's Fairfield House Hotel completes major refurbishment

A MAJOR refurbishment costing £750,000 has now been completed at the Fairfield House Hotel in Ayr, Scotland.

The ground floor of the building, including the reception area, bar, and restaurant has been renovated, creating a stylish but not ultra-modern look that blends in perfectly with the hotel’s striking exterior on the edge of the Low Green looking out over the Firth of Clyde.

General manager Stuart Maxwell said: "Perhaps in the past there may have been a tendency for the hotel to have been regarded as slightly stuffy - a place where people might go once a year for a special occasion.

"But if that was ever the case, things have certainly changed now, as we have succeeded in creating a relaxed, informal atmosphere with prices that are eminently affordable.

"The result is that our clientele come back on a much more frequent basis, whether it be for coffee, a quiet drink, lunch or an evening meal."

The building itself dates from 1900, starting life as the private dwelling of a Glasgow tea merchant. When it first became a hotel it was known as the Marine Court.

It was bought by its present owner, former Ayr accountant George Martin, in 1990, the year after its name was changed to Fairfield House Hotel.

General manager Stuart Maxwell (32) was appointed in March this year.

Stuart lives in Ayr with his wife Kate and son James (4).

Originally from Portpatrick, Stuart obtained a degree in hotel management before working for a variety of hotel chains throughout the UK including Hilton, Stakis and de Vere.

He now heads a staff of 50 at the Fairfield House Hotel. Assistant manager Craig Adam from Troon, whose family are also in the hotel business, worked on the cruise ship QE2 for 10 years, and head chef Will Hay used to run the kitchen in restaurants owned by Gary Rhodes.

With its Fairfield suite and boardroom, the 44-bedroom hotel also hosts conferences, seminars and weddings, and can cater for up to 150 delegates or guests.

The Fairfield Leisure Club has a well-equipped gymnasium and an indoor heated swimming pool complete with spa bath.

All guests are welcome to use these and the other facilities, which include a sauna and steamroom, providing the perfect way to relax and unwind.

Hotel life is never quiet, but Stuart Maxwell and his team must be glad that all the refurbishment work has been completed in good time for the particularly busy festive season that is now upon us.

For further information, visit www.fairfieldhotel.co.uk, or telephone 01292 267461.