Experience Gleneagles: Active Adventure, Genuine Charm

Written By: James Donley

The brilliance of Gleneagles is how they weave a uniquely British experience into a modern luxury playground. There are certain expectations a vacationer carries when entering a 5-star hotel; from

the size and cleanliness of the rooms, to the personalized service, and array of onsite amenities, and Gleneagles has little problem checking each one of these boxes. However, what makes Gleneagles a required visit is the manner in which these expectations are met. The welcoming smile of the doorman in his traditional tie, tweed jacket and kilt, the distinct sound of a British breakfast echoing through the dining room each morning, and many others are a constant reminder that you are somewhere special.

Gleneagles is in the highlands of Scotland, about an hour’s drive from the Glasgow or Edinburgh airport and is accessible by train or car. The castle like hotel was opened in 1924 and has been updated several times over the years including an extensive 4-year renovation project that was completed in 2020. The 232-room luxury hotel offers comfortable rooms, suites, and accommodations for most any size family. Over the years the property has hosted worldly events such as the G8 Summit and Ryder Cup.

Maybe most unique about Gleneagles is all the attractions it offers its guests. Like any hotel in Scotland, golf is a guarantee. With three golf courses on property, including the Jack Nicklaus designed tournament course, golf is very convenient. In addition, legendary courses like St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and many others are all about an hour’s drive away.

Beyond golf, Gleneagles offers guest experiences like falconry, gundogs, archery, a shooting range with clay pigeons, Range Rover offroad experience, flyfishing, equestrian school, tennis, hiking, and biking. These on property and intimate experiences can be book prior to arrival or once checked in at the hotel.

If relaxation and rejuvenation are in order, the Spa at Gleneagles offers 20 treatment rooms and a wide variety of personalized spa services. It is a sanctuary to be visited often as it includes a heated pool, spa, and well-equipped fitness facility. The spa is newly renovated and offers 50 to 90 minutes treatments, day packages, and a separate beauty lodge. For the exercise enthusiast, the fitness center has daily training classes with routines that rotate throughout the week.

Anchored by the Michelin 2-star Andrew Fairlie restaurant, Gleneagles offers guests 6 on property dining venues serving a variety of fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can easily find the basics like a hamburger and fries, pizza, salads, or sandwiches, but the menus build impressively from there. As previously mentioned, the full-service breakfast in the main dining room each morning is something you do not want to miss. In addition to the restaurants, there are three bars on property and several locations to enjoy afternoon tea.

Whether staying for a few nights or more than a week, Gleneagles delivers authentic luxury in the simplest of form. The environment is enjoyable, the activities are fun, and the experience is anything but boring. It is the perfect destination for a couple looking to get away or a family looking the combination of connection and freedom.