Family-owned Ayrshire hospitality group, SimpsInns, have unveiled a stunning £200,000 makeover to its restaurant and bar at The Loans Inn in village Loans, near Troon.
The award-winning Inn, country pub and restaurant was originally purchased by Malcolm and Karen Simpson in 1996 and was then rebuilt in 2008 adding 20 4-star bedrooms and a luxury cottage. The hotel has always been renowned for great food and exceptional Scottish hospitality and the stylish new refurbishment certainly adds to the offering whilst retaining its character.
The restaurant and bar have been completely transformed by interior designers 3 Design and now has a maximalist country house aesthetic. A polished dark wood floor gives way to a Regency deep red Jacobean inspired floral carpet.
These historic floral notes are prominent throughout and sit alongside muted plaid elements on the walls. There are also beautiful natural bare stone walls and wooden panelling which sit seamlessly alongside the distinct patterns on the furniture.
Seating wise there are booths, banquettes and dining chairs, and every single one looks different! Some of the backs of the booths are plain while others are fluted or deep buttoned in a Chesterfield design. The seats of the booths are leather in a range of colours such as blue, brown and red and the backs are all upholstered in different patterned fabrics. Some of the banquettes even change fabric through the full length.
The chairs are also a delight, everyone is wooden but unique in shape and design with different fabric upholstered seats. Round, square and rectangular dark wooden tables allow the pops of colour from the fabrics on the chairs to really shine through. Soft furnishings include tartan curtains and cushions scattered across the space.
The eclectic furniture is coupled with a plethora of statement artwork on the walls which creates a cosy, intimate feel. Everywhere you look there is something new to take in. The eclectic frames on the walls are differing colours, designs or shapes and each is filled with a distinct piece of artwork, print or historic piece.
To separate different seating areas, they have used modern looking metal and wooden shelving units. These hold vases containing greenery, more ornaments and are even decorated with fairy lights. The lighting is moody and warm and comes from traditional wall sconces and large wicker pendant lights which hang above the tables. Again, each one is a different shape and design.
Some of the other stunning features include a bar which has a polished wooden top with Chesterfield style brown leather front and a cast iron fireplace nestled amongst a stone wall with a wooden mantle and a large ornate mirror hanging above. The use of the layering of patterns and textures alongside the broad colour palette is breathtaking and it is clear that every element has been deeply considered by the designer.
The Loans Inn team have certainly been busy as it’s not just the interior that has had an upgrade. Extensive works have also been completed to the external façade of the boutique hotel, plus a complete renovation of the adjoining four-bedroom self-catering holiday cottage.
Jack Simpson of SimpsInns who led the project said, “The Loans Inn has been very much part of community life here in Troon since we opened our doors back in 1996. We have a well-established reputation as one of Ayrshire’s most popular foodie hotspots. We’re delighted to unveil the fresh new look to our restaurant, bar and menu for local diners and overnight guests.”
There is also plenty more on the horizon from SimpsInns as owner Malcolm Simpson added, “Our restaurant makeover at The Loans Inn is the latest part of our ongoing development plans for the SimpsInns group. We’re committed to exceeding our guests’ expectations and are regularly investing in our hotel and leisure facilities.
“2025 is set to be a really exciting year for our family-run firm, which will include the launch of our new £3million sea view spa and the introduction of 17 additional guest rooms at The Waterside Hotel in West Kilbride.”
I look forward to seeing the results!