The high life
As one of Scotland’s — nay one of the world’s — most luxurious hotels, Gleneagles does opulence like no other. But is it really worth £200 or more a night? Rachael Street finds out.
mm the window of our room. I could see the rain coming in horizontally. the wind was roaring in the chimney and the view of beautiful (llen I)evon. peppered with autumnal trees. was obscured in the mist. Still. the horrible weather outside made it all the better to be inside relaxing on the sofa in my fluffy (lleneagles robe alter wallowing in a deep. hot bath. Had it been a nicer day. I would have stood ottt on the balcony to admire the view of the main hotel (we were staying in the adjoining Braid House wing). bill for now I was happy to toddle over to my king of the world-sized bed and stretch otlt before bothying was fun and exciting for all the exertion and achievement involved. then the (Blencagles experience was its polar opposite complete slothdom. extravagance and luxury. l was there. ostensibly. to find out what all the fuss was about to
dinner. If
sense of
assess for myself name and high price tag but that wasn't to say I wouldn't throw caution to the wind and live the experience to the full. If it was good enough for Tony Blair et al. it was certainly good enough for me. So naturally. I was disappointed not to be dining at Andrew I‘airlie. the Michelin-starred establishment within the hotel. However. the house restaurant Strathearn did a damn fine job of consoling me. Set in an enormous liiglt—ceilinged space reminiscent of a ballroom. it has the old-fashioned elegance at which Scottiin institutions seem to excel. Waiters whirled around us with an air of acrobatic efficiency and there was a happy buzz to the
room that gave a feeling of
informality.
.lubago ham with beautifully sweet melon. followed by Highland venison with chestnut dauphinoisc. pumpkin and port sauce were
whether (ileneagles lived tip to its live—star
TRAVEL
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A grand frontage, great food, tun and a comtortable bar. What more could a girl want?
consumed with relish. 'l‘he only slight blight on my evening came
with the arrival of some rather
substandard puddings. and the bill. which indicated that the drinks alone had set tls back by £55.
WERE THE PRICES DESIGNED TO KEEP THE EXPERIENCE EXCLUSIVE RATHER THAN REFLECTING THE TRUE VALUE?
Dinner was followed by L'lt) cocktails in the bar (what the hell. eh'.’) and the kind of complete relaxation that comes from knowing that your every desire has
been carefully considered.
But it has to be said that this kind of holiday is not for everyone — (Ileneagles is very much a ‘destination’ hotel. It's not just somewhere to stay. but a place to experience in itself. The whole point is to exploit every conceivable comfort and indulgence to the max
from wandering to the pool in that treasured fluffy robe and matching slippers. to returning home with a bag full of (ileneagles toiletries. And while I was more than happy to spend my afternoon lounging in the sauna. enjoying the jacuzzi bubbles and finishing off with a few lengths of the lap pool. my companion was rather bored by this concept. lie was itching to get out and about.
Luckily. help was at hand in the shape of the (}leneagles activities centre. a homage to the pursuits of the country lad and lass where you can arrange archery. fishing. clay pigeon shooting. falconry. off—road
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