The Gleneagles Hotel – A British Masterpiece
The Gleneagles Hotel is an AA Five Red Star golf resort hotel set in 850 acres of stunning scenery in Perthshire, Scotland.
Originally opened in 1924 Gleneagles was described as ‘a Riviera in the Highlands’ and ‘the eighth wonder of the world’. An investment programme in excess of £70 million has shaped the luxury destination for the 21st century.
Gleneagles, the ‘Palace in the Glens’, lies at the heart of Scotland, but the resort is only a one-hour motorway drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can choose to enjoy the freedom of one of the least crowded countries in Western Europe or the cultural attractions of two of the continent’s great historic cities.
The Hotel was designed in the style of a French chateau and Capability Brown, the celebrated 18th century landscape gardener, inspired the landscaping. Today, the hotel has 232 bedrooms including 26 suites. Braid House, an additional accommodation wing, opened at a cost of £10 million in December 2002. This wing houses 59 luxurious bedrooms, many of which have balconies.
The Spirit Suites – Ten stunning top floor Spirit suites opened in June 2007, named after brands from the world leading drinks company Diageo, Gleneagles’ parent company. This project added nine highly sought after two-bedroom suites and an additional one-bedroom suite, many of which have spectacular views of the surrounding area, and an informal meeting room to the resort. All suites have been interior designed by internationally renowned Amanda Rosa and boast a contemporary feel incorporating bold patterned fabrics set against soothing neutral tones.
A world-leading integrated ecological management plan preserves and enhances the matchless beauty and wildlife of the 850-acre estate. Gleneagles works closely with Scottish Natural Heritage on all developments within the estate, which has 20 areas designated as sites of scientific interest (SSIs) and one site of special scientific interest (SSSI). The resort won the Pan European Award for Environmental Excellence in 2001 – recognition of the good practice carried out throughout the estate.
The resort has also just launched an initiative in collaboration with the ‘Big Tree Country’ Perthshire, to help protect and sustain the beautiful countryside that provides such a breathtaking location for the hotel. Guests have the opportunity to donate a voluntary £1 supplement, per room per night, to be donated to re-planting and rebuilding Perthshire’s natural woodlands. So far this initiative has proved extremely successful, raising a staggering £5000 in its first month of operation.
The state of the art destination Spa by ESPA, offers a warm and tranquil atmosphere and includes 20 treatment rooms, many of which will have private bathrooms, a dark brown – almost black – vitality pool lit by fibre optics to stunning effect and a host of indulgent treatments.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Spa is the introduction of ESPA Rituals. These Day Spa programmes are available for the first time at Gleneagles, allowing guests to experience a blend of luxurious treatments whilst enjoying full access to the spa. These ESPA Rituals are tailored for specific needs and provide the perfect opportunity for private escapism, shared quality time with a loved one, or special group celebrations.
A Gentleman’s Barber is also available at Gleneagles; his services include a traditional wet shave carried out with hot and cold towels, using Dovo razors and a blend of special oils, known only to the Gleneagles barber. The highest quality shaving creams give customers the very best in care. A relaxing face massage using luxury creams completes a shaving experience like no other.
The Club at Gleneagles sets new trends in leisure enjoyment for members and guests alike. Facilities include a 20 metre length lap pool; leisure pool with Jacuzzi; an outdoor hot pool; 280m² gymnasium with 28 types of Technogym cardiovascular equipment, 18 flat-screen televisions, and Wellness computer system monitoring individuals’ performance; aerobics dance studio; a lavishly appointed health suite with mixed steam baths and sauna; and luxurious changing accommodation.
Other activities at Gleneagles include (of course) Golf, an unashamed pleasure. Playing over the immaculate greens and fairways provides unrivalled views of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The 2014 Ryder Cup matches will be played over The PGA Centenary course, the venue for both the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championships and the Johnnie Walker Championship. There is also shooting and fishing; Gleneagles enjoys a world-class reputation for providing the most expert instruction in all disciplines, at all levels of skill. Off Road at Gleneagles provides a test of skill in handling a four-wheel drive vehicle over two of Britain’s most challenging, purpose-built off road courses. Designed by some of Britain’s leading off road specialists, these courses include ridges, gullies, steep gradients, ditches and water splashes. Guests are taught the specialist techniques of hill climbing, controlled descents, traversing slopes and general vehicle handling over rough or wet terrain.
The British School of Falconry is based here and is internationally acclaimed as the finest introduction to this ancient sport. Lessons meet every level of experience and involvement, and guests who are seriously keen can develop their skills further by hawking on the Perthshire moors. The Gleneagles Equestrian School is one of the world’s finest equestrian facilities and has become one of the largest training and examination centres for British Horse Society qualifications (private and group lessons are available). The Gleneagles Hotel has launched the latest addition to its wide range of leisure pursuits, The Gundog School; the first school of its kind in the world, you will work with the school’s own dogs and learn such skills as obedience, agility and handling.
In the awards arena Gleneagles has won more than 60 major awards from the travel, leisure and catering industries in the past ten years. In 2008, the hotel was awarded Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Award for favourite UK Hotel Spa; AA Centenary Wine Award, Scotland for The Strathearn restaurant, Top Place to Stay & Play in the UK and Ireland by Golf Monthly magazine, British Beauty Award for Hotel Destination Spa of the Year and International Resort Hotel of the Year by HotelreviewScotland.
Gleneagles is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World; one of the Great Golf Resorts of the World; a founder member of Connoisseurs Scotland, the world class grouping of properties, which provide an authentic flavour of Scotland to discerning travellers; and a founder member of the Quality Scotland Foundation. Gleneagles also hosted the G8 summit of world leaders in July 2005.
The resort employs 700-800 people; a ratio of more than one per guest, ensures that the resort maintains its world-class reputation for excellence. Employees at Gleneagles come from over 30 nationalities, including people from France, Germany, America, Poland, India and Malta.
The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland PH3 1NF.
Reservations 0800 389 3737
Email resort.sales@gleneagles.com
Visit www.gleneagles.com
Images © The GLENEAGLES. The GLENEAGLES word and EAGLE Device are trademarks
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