GOUROCK’S 15th-century Castle Levan Hotel has been crowned as ‘The Quirkiest Place to Stay in the UK’.

Judges, including Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr and TV presenter Lisa Holloway, raved about the B&B, which attracts guests from around the world.

Its owners Kim Munro and Maria Hocklin said they couldn’t believe it when they were announced as winners at a ceremony held in London’s Café de Paris, where stars of UK hospitality had gathered for the presentations.

The prestigious eviivo awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate the finest B&Bs and independent small hotels in the UK.

Commenting on Castle Levan, the judges said: “Located at the end of a 21st century residential road, once through the arched entrance, guests are transported back in time. Rooms have been decorated with gargoyles, dragons and suits of armour.”

The judges noted that the castle was built in 1457 and is a listed building with Historic Scotland, and added that it is ‘beautiful, themed and historic’.

American Kim and Londoner Maria took over the castle last year and have already won the Trip Adviser Certificate of Excellence and the Booking.com Guest Review Award.

They then applied for the quirkiest place gong, and were thrilled to be shortlisted and invited to London for the prizegiving.

Kim said: “We were treated like superstars for the night.

“It was so wonderful to see all the hard work we’ve done being recognised.

“There were 10 other properties shortlisted and they were all worthy winners, so being so new to it we were just content enjoying the fantastic evening put on for us by eviivo.

“When Lisa Holloway got up to announce the winner we truly couldn’t believe it when she started to describe our castle!

“It is great to be recognised by industry experts and our guest reviews. We are really chuffed to have won it, and, although we are not native Scots, we love our newly adopted country and hope we represented it well at the awards.”

The B-listed building comes complete with battlements overlooking the River Clyde and a ghost known as The White Lady.

Kim added: “We’re thrilled the B&B is thriving. Our guests love it because it looks like a castle both inside and out, and remark that many castles in Scotland look like an ordinary hotel room once you are inside.

“They like our arrowslit windows and arched stone bedrooms, and are always surprised at the location of the castle in a modern neighbourhood and amazed at how, once you walk through the arch on to the castle grounds, it’s like going back in time.”