A regular treat

Until it played host to the world’s leaders for last year\s G8 Summit, Gleneagles was probably most famous for its golf. The luxury hotel in Auchterader, Scotland has long been famous for its three championship courses and is due to host the Ryder Cup in 2014. But it also regularly tops the polls as one of the best country hotels in the world, even for people who think of a hot drink when they hear the word caddy, or think an iron is used for removing creases from clothes.

The wide range of pursuits on offer—from an equestrian centre, to a falconry school, off-road driving centre and tennis centre to a luxury spa and swimming pool—is more than enough to keep non-golfers happy. Now, surprisingly for a region more famous for deep-fried Mars Bars, gastronomy can be added to that list. Andrew Fairlie’s restaurant at Gleneagles won its second Michelin star earlier this year and is the only Scottish restaurant to carry that accolade.

Even the most cursory enjoyment of his food is enough to show that this is no mere Scottish tokenism. Offering a delicious blend of French and Scottish cuisine, the menu is perhaps most famous for Fairlie’s signature smoked lobster—a dish which involves smoking lobster shells over old whisky barrels for 12 hours.

The downside to all this high-life—and it’s worth mentioning the legendary quality of service as well—is that staying at Gleneagles is an expensive past time. But those entranced by Gleneagles and who would like to visit more regularly  (so that’s most people who have ever stayed there) might want to consider Glenmor—a seasonal ownership development at Gleneagles.

Priced depending on the time of year you buy (ranging from £9,900 in low season to over £50,000 for New Year’s Eve), you buy a 52-year, one-week-a-year tenure. With interiors by Amanda Rosa, the idea is to create a feeling of a beautiful, modern home. At the moment, with some of the building still to be completed, the scenery and landscaping are far from complete. There is also a slight feel of a gated community to the development. Owners and their visitors have access to all the amazing Gleneagles facilities and—regardless of the building work still going on—the stunning views out over the estate more than compensate. All in all, it seems to be a worthwhile way to afford regular breaks in luxury surroundings.