In-Depth Review of Gleneagles Resort in Scotland - AFAR

"Set on 850 acres in Perthshire and celebrating its centenary in 2024, this sprawling resort marries Scottish country‑estate grandeur with a luxury summer‑camp vibe, offering three championship golf courses (it hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014 and the Solheim Cup in 2019) alongside a wide range of outdoor pursuits. Guests can try traditional activities such as falconry—complete with a memorable encounter with Porter, a Harris’s hawk who readily takes venison—plus horseback rides through pine forests and glens, fishing, clay shooting, Highland cattle encounters, and guided nature walks. A new sporting club that opened in 2024 adds a climbing wall, tennis and padel courts, expanded equestrian facilities, and a dedicated lounge. The 232 rooms favor an Old World aesthetic—brocade curtains, tufted wingback chairs, polished mahogany, oil portraits and heated marble bathroom floors—with suites that offer postcard views and separate lounges with fireplaces. Dining spans about half a dozen outlets, from a two‑Michelin‑starred kitchen to casual options: highlights include a tandoor‑baked naan with chicken tikka masala at the clubhouse, chandeliered fine dining with lobster and fresh cod accompanied by live jazz, Italian‑American dishes like garlic prawns and truffle‑and‑Parmesan hand‑cut fries, tableside Caesar service, and an atmospheric American Bar with art‑deco lighting; breakfast is abundant with freshly baked breads, house jams, traditional Scottish dishes (the reviewer enjoyed the haggis) and house‑made shortbread served with tea. Staff are personable and relaxed—chatty doormen in kilts and patient activity guides—and the property is relatively accessible, with ramped public areas, valet drop‑off, and several rooms equipped with roll‑in showers and grab bars, though some dining areas require corridor navigation." - Jennifer Flowers