As you walk into Seabank House Hotel and Café Bar there is an atmosphere of peace and calm with the décor oozing a strong sense of nature which is a nod to owners’ Jen and Simon Foster’s previous jobs working for NatureScot (Scotland’s nature agency).
The change, to buy and run what is now known as Seabank House, was down to pace of life, and although working for a nature organisation, the couple both felt tied to their desks. So, they made the pivot and have embraced life in the hospitality industry.
Jen who was a software developer said: “We were working really long hours sitting down at a desk. I had had knee surgery, so sitting for long days was not great, so we wanted to get away from that.”
Simon added: “This new life is so different to what we did before. I am not sure the hours are shorter, but there is more flexibility. We both worked from home, but we hardly had any time.”
Seabank House, is located in the west end of Nairn and most recently was called The Clubhouse and before that The Claymore Hotel.
The new name was founded, when the savvy couple launched a social media campaign for people to come up with a new name for the premises.
“It was a great way for us to be able to announce that we were the new owners, but also get ‘buy in’ from the community,” explained Simon who was a scientist. “We wanted to start with a fresh name and make it clear that we were moving forward with this beautiful building in a fresh new way.”
The comments on the social media were vast, with many wanting it to go back to being The Claymore, with others suggesting Hotel McHotelFace, and Tilda’s Townhouse in a nod to Hollywood star Tilda Swinton who lives on the same street. The name Seabank House came out as the top choice though, which fits with the location and gives a sense of history to the hotel.
Jen and Simon bought the hotel which boasts 12 bedrooms, last April and they are gradually renovating it. They also live on site in a self-contained apartment.
So far, the bright and airy café and bar has a complete new look and makes you feel as though you are in a luxury, calming nature inspired retreat. The couple have done a lot of the work themselves, including replacing three bathrooms.
New flooring has also been laid downstairs and the plans for when the hotel part of the businesses closes in late October is to completely revamp the breakfast room.
“We are definitely not sitting at desks anymore,” joked Jen, “and the hours can be long, but we are very happy with the decision we made.
“The hotel will close after the October holidays, so that’s when we will do the next big works, which will be continuing the new flooring into the breakfast room and bringing the décor in there in line with the entrance hall and café.
“The café will remain open all year round though.”
The hotel is run as a bed and breakfast and the café bar which is open to non-residents, serves homemade cakes, bakes, scones and light bites including a Seabank Smokehouse Sarnie and the Seabank Smokehouse Salad which are the signature dishes. Our carrot cake is our best seller and we have a lot of customers who come in specially for this sweet treat.
“Everything is made fresh to order,” explained Simon, “and where we can we buy locally. We have also added some extra cakes and tray bakes made by Felicity who is also known as The Sconnoisseur, and they are really popular.”
As well as the daily offering, people can also indulge in two kinds of afternoon teas at the Seabank – a usual afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes and tea or a charcuterie tea.
“We need 48 hours’ notice for these, but they have been very popular,” said Jen.
She added: “We have no plans to do evening meals, partly because that won’t fit with our own lifestyle and logistics. Also, there is such a great offering in Nairn, we love recommending places to eat out to our guests.
“What we have found is that we are getting a lot of repeat customers and with our amazing team who help drive Seabank House forward, we have built up a name as a place to be able to go an enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine and people are coming back. It’s been busier this year. It really feels as though we are establishing the place again. It feels really positive.”
