Gleneagles: Where Familes Can Experience Scottish Outdoor Pursuits
When the Gleneagles Hotel opened in 1924, it was described as 'a Riviera in the Highlands' and 'the eighth wonder of the world'. Then as now, the Gleneagles Hotel was the glorious playground for people dedicated to leisure and pleasure in the most luxurious surroundings. Nearly ninety years later, Gleneagles, which is still considered one of the world's most coveted five star resorts, is nominated for a Luxist Award for Best Family Luxury Summer Vacation.
Built by the former Caledonian Railway Company (and complete with its own railway station), the resort has long been a fixed part of high society's calendar. During the 1950's, after the London "season", the elite went to Gleneagles for grouse shooting.
The hotel was only opened during the summer months until the early 1980's when a total renovation and restoration program was initiated. Since then, a total capital investment of more than £46 million has made it possible to enjoy the elegance and traditions of Gleneagles all year round.
Set in 850 acres of Perthshire countryside, Gleneagles is a unique place for families to escape. It is home to three of the top Scottish Championship Golf Courses and also offers a wide range of exhilarating outdoor leisure activities, all of which exemplify the longstanding Scottish sporting heritage.
Only an hour's drive from the international airports of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Gleneagles offers an experience one would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world. Gleneagles is a family friendly hotel, offering luxury holiday accommodation in Scotland for parents with children of all ages. The hotel has 232 spacious guest bedrooms, including a variety of luxury suites to suit all needs, tastes and desires. The resort also offers several elegant restaurants and a spacious new destination spa by ESPA. Famous for its legendary golf, Gleneagles hosted the G8 Summit of world leaders in July 2005, and it will be the venue for the 40th Ryder Cup Matches in 2014.
Gleneagles is like going to camp as a family, albeit a luxurious one, with its world-class sporting schools. Dedicated to the cultivation of classic sportsmanship, the schools offer children and adults rewarding 'hands on' instructional programs, fuelling the trend to learn while on vacation and introducing the simple pleasures of country sports to families.
Parents can relax while their young children are well looked after by qualified staff at The Playroom, which has exciting games and creative activities planned every day. The Zone is the place for the older kids to meet and enjoy what they love best. The Zonene features computer games, pool, table football matches and karaoke.
World-class instruction is offered in a variety of outdoor pursuits including Falconry (where kids take part in a falconry lesson and learn how to cast the hawk from their gloved hand and then call it back), Horseback Riding, Fishing, Shooting and Archery. There's a Golf Academy as well as a Gundogs School which offers a unique opportunity to experience gundog training. There's also a Junior Off Road and All-Terrain Off Road Course available for kids aged four to nine. Here, kids learn valuable driving skills at the wheel of mini Land Rover replicas over a purpose built course, designed to mimic the grown ups' off road course. Children ten years or older learn how to operate Argo cats, which are eight-wheel-drive, all-weather, all-terrain, tiller-controlled vehicles that operate on land and in water on a challenging purpose-built course.
During the months of June, July and August, Gleneagles also offers a special summer program for kids that features a variety of programs and classes including clock making, boat building (using recycled materials) cupcake decorating classes, "own-a-pony" course, golf camp, Spy School and introduction to polo classes.
For more information and reservation, information, visit Gleneagles website or call its toll-free number at 0800 389 3737 (in the UK) or (866) 881 9525 (in the US).
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