8 minute read
100 Glorious Years
There are a handful of hotels in the UK that have achieved iconic status, and Gleneagles is undoubtedly one of them. Nestled among the stunning heather-clad hills of Perthshire, this Scottish institution and Dream Escape favourite celebrates its centenary in 2024. While it may be world-renowned for its golf, there is so much more to discover at this luxurious hotel.
The historic city of Edinburgh makes a perfect starting point for any Scottish adventure, and in 2022 Gleneagles unveiled a brand-new hotel in the heart of the capital. Sitting proudly on St Andrew Square, Gleneagles Townhouse has taken up residence in the former Bank of Scotland HQ, and it took five painstaking years to transform the grand and distinctive building into the staggeringly beautiful five-star hotel that it is today.
Located just an hour away by car from Gleneagles’ famous countryside counterpart and sitting within reaching distance of Edinburgh’s many unmissable sights, the glamourous Gleneagles Townhouse operates as both a hotel and an exclusive members club. There are 33 opulent bedrooms in total, all with a chic muted colour palette and a distinctly regal feel, huddled among a warren of remarkable architectural features and chic spaces serviced by friendly and efficient staff. In the basement lies the hotel’s high-tech gym and wellness space, and on the top floor sits spectacular rooftop bar, Lamplighters – an intimate and stylish spot open to hotel guests and members only, with extraordinary skyline views and excellent cocktails.
If you’re feeling peckish, Dream Escape organises tables in the hotel’s impressive restaurant, The Spence (Scottish for larder), which is set within the vast and breathtakingly beautiful former banking hall, adorned with ornate plasterwork, granite columns, and a towering ceiling with magnificent cupola at its centre. Scottish fish and game make up the sophisticated food offering; Dream Escape recommends the decadent crab crumpet and beautiful Isle of Mull scallops, followed by the likes of fresh sea trout and venison loin. The sleek wooden dessert trolley, with its layers of picture-perfect patisserie and tempting cheeses, is not to be missed.
Once you’ve finished exploring the city, just an hour’s drive away through spectacular Scottish countryside sits the imposing stone-grey facade of The Gleneagles Hotel. Here, a charming, kilt-clad team are on hand with the warmest of welcomes while car doors are opened, and bags seamlessly unpacked. Spinning through the building’s esteemed revolving door feels like stepping into a different era – from hosting legendary star-studded parties and welcoming the biggest names in fashion and design, to historic meetings for world leaders, innovators and big thinkers, Gleneagles has remained the place to see and be seen for a century.
When Gleneagles first opened in 1924, its discerning guests would arrive at the hotel’s very own train station, which is still in operation today. After its grand opening ball, the hotel was described as a ‘Riviera in the Highlands’. One hundred years on, and it still exudes that same frisson of captivating glamour.
Hospitality group Ennismore took ownership in 2015 and has introduced beautiful, modern-design style, exquisite attention to detail and a splash of playfulness, all while retaining the hotel’s rich sense of history and illustrious heritage. Despite its size, Gleneagles manages to feel intimate and cosy throughout. Dream Escape organise both long and short stays across its 232 bedrooms and 27 exquisite suites; all are spacious, elegant, and fully equipped with comforts such as sumptuous marble bathrooms, working fireplaces and picturesque views of the nearby Ochil Hills.
Once checked in, there is much to explore. Gleneagles’ nickname is ‘the glorious playground’ and for good reason. Across the sprawling 850-acre estate, there is a staggering range of pursuits on offer. Dream Escape’s travel designers organise fishing, shooting, horse riding, falconry, gundog training, off-road driving, lawn games, and more. Tomahawk axe throwing, padel and zip wiring are just some of the more modern activities on offer, and there is also world-famous golf to enjoy – Gleneagles remains the only venue in Europe to have staged professional golf’s two most important team events, The Ryder Cup in 2014 and Solheim Cup in 2019.
Guests are also spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink. Gleneagles is home to world-class restaurants and bars galore, including one of the two restaurants in Scotland with two Michelin stars: Andrew Fairlie. Dream Escape suggests the relaxed and supremely comfortable Century Bar as the perfect spot for lunch and fascinating whisky flights, while the renowned American Bar is a must for pre- and post-dinner cocktails.
At The Birnam, the hotel’s laid-back and impossibly romantic Italian-American grill, guests can feast on the likes of fire-baked prawns, perfectly crisp vegetable fritto, and seafood tagliatelle with sweet Scottish lobster and fresh scallops, served amid tumbling plants and twinkling fairy lights. For a taste of true Scottish hospitality, Dream Escape recommends the unforgettable dining experience at The Strathearn, Gleneagles’ astonishingly beautiful fine-dining restaurant, renowned for its history, theatrical magic and Art Deco splendour. To the evocative soundtrack of a live pianist, guests can enjoy sparkling glasses of vintage Champagne served from a polished wooden trolley, before dining on the likes of caviar blinis, a beautiful beef Wellington for two, and fresh Dover sole, expertly filleted at the table. The restaurant’s renowned crêpes suzette, flambéed tableside, is unforgettably delicious.
After a few lengths of the sleek swimming pool in the hotel’s recently refurbished spa, a final gastronomic highlight is breakfast. Served in the dazzling surrounds of The Strathearn, there’s a menu of hot dishes and a staggering array of seemingly endless buffets and food stations, all exquisitely presented. Smiling, smartly dressed chefs are on hand to whip up fresh omelettes, and there’s also a small bar where you can help yourself to a Bloody Mary or a chilled Buck’s Fizz, should the mood take you.
Among all these wonderful activities and culinary delights, a final facet that makes Gleneagles a truly unforgettable destination is its people. The service across the estate is second to none; impressively intuitive, consistently efficient, and genuinely heartfelt. Despite the five-star offering, there is no hint of stuffiness - the talented team(s) here may deliver a world-class guest experience with pride, but they do it with a gentle sense of fun and friendliness.
To celebrate reaching its momentous 100-year milestone this year, Gleneagles is hosting a series of unique events and collaborations. Throughout 2024, Dream Escape guests can enjoy a very special centenary afternoon tea which takes diners on a delightful journey through 100 years of culinary history, featuring menus inspired by the Roaring Twenties, and some of the Scottish dishes that were enjoyed by the late Queen Elizabeth II during her visits to Gleneagles.
This summer will also see the release of a stunning new book, Gleneagles: The Glorious Playground, which will cover the past, present and future of the hotel, with a foreword by HRH The Princess Royal. In June, the hotel will host a glamorous dance-filled centenary celebration with ballet by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime ‘One Hundred Year Ball’ in September; a dazzling evening complete with cocktail reception, lavish lobster and Champagne gala dinner, and live music and entertainment. There really never has been a better time to visit.
And so, as this extraordinary hotel celebrates such a momentous milestone, all we can say is - here’s to the next 100 years.
Gleneagles: The Glorious Playground
This special, limited-edition book by James Collard launches in May 2024, as Gleneagles celebrate their centenary month.
SARAH BUTLER MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Having visited Gleneagles Townhouse recently on a Dream Escape team gathering, we were lucky enough to experience firsthand the beautiful rooms that are an elegant haven in the city. We were also fortunate to visit the roof terrace bar, Lamplighters. With the best views over Edinburgh and an exclusive vibe and club-like atmosphere, it was the perfect place to refresh and reconnect with colleagues. Happy Birthday, Gleneagles and here’s to another successful 100 years.
Words | Sophie Farrah
