Gleneagles has been on my bucket list for so many years, actually from before the internet era. I don’t even remember where I stumbled upon the hotel for the first time, but it has stuck in my mind ever since. Finally, it was time to visit this legendary hotel. Their parking area, where they park your car, looks like you are visiting a Land Rover/Range Rover dealership—a hint of who is staying here.
The Gleneagles Hotel stands as a beacon of luxury, elegance, and rich history. Since its opening in 1924, it has offered a unique blend of traditional Scottish hospitality and contemporary opulence.
As we drove up to the hotel entrance, it was around check-out time on a Sunday, and there was a queue of cars. There was a bit of chaos because there was no structure from the front of house staff. However, all was forgiven with the excellent check-in at the front desk and a room upgrade—thank you. Our room was located in the main building and had a beautiful view over the premises.
Caol Ila Suite 320/322
High Score tables in the Lobby
Gleneagles is renowned as a golf resort, boasting three championship courses. Too bad none of us play any golf! However, they call it a “Playground” for a reason—there is something for everyone: off-road driving, clay shooting, kids’ adventures, fishing, etc. Of course, they have a Spa & Wellness center. And to top it off, a two-Michelin-star restaurant. Plenty to do around if you don’t play golf.
The breakfast at the Strathearn is stunning and one of the best we’ve encountered. It’s just a couple of notches behind breakfasts like those at the Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives and Bangkok. However, be aware that it can be quite noisy in the big breakfast room, so ask for a table on the sides or eat early.
We just stayed at Gleneagles for two days. On the first night, we had dinner at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Andrew Fairlie.
On the last night, we went to The Birnam. Unfortunately, it was not a good experience for us. Firstly, they did not have our booking and thought we were bluffing about the reservation that the front desk made for us the day before. After a discussion, we received a snappy, “You can sit at the bar.” However, we stood our ground and got a table. It is rare to feel unwelcome as a guest.
After being seated, I asked to speak to the restaurant manager about our booking situation. A man appeared, apologized, and promised to investigate and get back to us. However, nothing happened, and we saw him avoiding us all night.
We started by sharing fire-baked chili and garlic prawns with charred sourdough. The prawns were good but lacked a bit of oomph flavor-wise. For the main course, we ordered a 1 kg Porterhouse from the grill. Unfortunately, they could not prepare the meat correctly. It is a difficult cut to grill, but this is a grill restaurant, and they failed miserably.
The meat was more than rare and raw in some parts (we ordered it medium). It was heavily over-salted and served on a cold plate. We should have sent it back, but it was already cut into slices, so they would have had to make a new one, and we did not have the patience to wait. We ate from the edges.
The highlight of our meal was the exceptional service by Elliot, an 18-year-old in the Gleneagles Apprenticeship program, who outshone the regular staff by miles.
The restaurant itself is big, like everything here—noisy, warm, and yes, you guessed it, with a party of eight drunk men in the middle of the restaurant atrium acting like they owned the place. Luckily for us, they stuffed us in the corner right by the entrance.
As we passed by the front desk on our way to our room, the Guest Relations Manager asked us how our dinner was. Let’s just say the GRM did not look happy and headed directly to the restaurant.
The Gleneagles Hotel is more than just a place to stay; it is a destination in itself. Its grandeur and ambiance might remind you of Downton Abbey. For golfers, it’s an obvious choice with its renowned courses. For those seeking peace and quiet, it’s important to navigate around peak times to avoid the crowds.
With its rich history, luxurious accommodations, world-class amenities, and breathtaking surroundings, Gleneagles offers an unforgettable experience. You can almost hear the echoes of history in the walls.
The hotel operates with nearly 1,500 employees across almost 50 different departments, which ensures a diverse range of services and activities. However, due to its size, the service sometimes halts, which can be a downside. We always think, do we want to go back? We do not think so, not because it is not good. In fact, it is excellent. Probably because it is too big, a little crowded, making it a little impersonal for our likings.
First time
Late of April 2024
2
Whisky Suite - The Caol Ila Suite
None
Perfect
90%
Fabolus
No problem here
No
Yes