It’s the tops
Jeremy Cresswell was banished to the Blue Tower, the most expensive garret in Scotland
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DURING the closing weeks of 2007, just as frosts were starting to get a grip, The Management and I, with the youngest member of our brood in tow, were offered the chance of a sumptuous night at Gleneagles, putting the most expensive suite in the house through its paces.
Normally, it would drain one’s pockets for the thick end of two thousand quid a night, not that we had to pay – well, sort of, in the shape of an honest assessment of the most expensive garret in Scotland.
Wind the clock back to when Gleneagles was built and the topmost floor or two were laid out as quarters to house the flunkies of wealthy patrons of the hotel. But, over the years, the role of these multiple garrets has changed to the point that, today, they are much sought after by well-heeled clientele.
We checked in nervously late afternoon, wee Huw (three and a bit years of age) dangling his Thomas the Tank Engine inflatable mini-bed/sleeping bag.
“What, drag a kid with a sleeping bag into Gleneagles … are they nuts?” I hear you say.
Ah, but there has always been madness in my method.
We are ushered into a lift that leisurely chauffeurs us to the top floor. We enter the Exclusive Zone; a member of staff opens the double door of the Blue Tower Suite. Wow, a huge hall, spiral staircase leading somewhere and bedrooms opening out to left and right. We are given a guided tour of the apartment.
Jeez, it’s bigger than many a house or flat. And sumptuous isn’t the word. The Management and Huw immediately test the monster double bed, check out the facilities, then explore the spiral staircase. There’s even a junior-size dressing gown and slippers.
Someone clearly listened to me beforehand over the phone.
For once, we had walked into accommodation that lived up to the PR blurb. It said the Blue Tower Suite was one of 10 named “Spirit” suites created out of the original top floor and named after brands owned by the drinks group, Diageo, which is Gleneagles’ parent company. They were designed as part of the wider £18million development programme at Gleneagles in preparation for hosting the Ryder Cup in 2014.
The split-level Blue Tower Suite is the heart of this smart suite of suites. It is housed in the original main tower, located directly over the hotel’s main entrance.
“The Blue Tower undoubtedly offers the most luxurious accommodation in Scotland,” said the blurb.
“Measuring approximately 170sq m, this magnificent suite is split over two levels boasting two luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms situated on the lower floor, with a spiral staircase leading up to a mezzanine lounge.
“Perfect for relaxing after a stroll across the estate, the lounge is a large, light-filled space with a dining area and features a wall-mounted Sony home cinema and PlayStation 3.”
Not that we used the Sony system, and I can’t stand things like PlayStation. It was international interior designer Amanda Rosa who was commissioned to create the interior of the Blue Tower and Spirit suites, based on boldly patterned contemporary fabrics in “rich bitter chocolate and teal tones contrasted against neutral coloured walls”.
She made extensive use of highly polished wood and chrome furniture, elegant lamps and rich leathers to create a “sleek look, along with the oversized sofas that really are perfect to sink back and unwind in”. And they are.
Elegant? Yes, that about sums up the Blue Tower, and that extends to the monster bathroom with huge sunken bath at one end for The Management and, at the other, a shower so sophisticated that it came close to defeating me.
To complete the description, it is worth noting that this luxurious top floor is equipped with a boardroom – not corporate, you understand, rather a space with a relaxed air that reflects the decor of the suites.
Anyway, I digress. Late afternoon drifts into evening. We’ve done our explore, checked out the creche, shops, that sort of thing, and sussed where we’re going to dine that night – the Deseo brasserie, rather than the more formal options.
Now, if you really want to test an establishment, make sure you have a little person in tow. Will the waiters be child-friendly? Do the chefs understand just how small the appetite of a little person can be? We need not have worried. The food was excellent. So, too, was the service. The sommelier was brilliantly unpretentious – he knew his stuff. And Huw behaved impeccably – well, more or less.
Time for bed, Thomas the Tank Engine style. Huw’s pit was duly set up in the twin bedroom. Thank goodness we had it. Gleneagles is attentive, but Huw would almost certainly have fallen out of either of his choice of beds.
It was truly funny – Huw’s brightly coloured pit amid the elegance of the Blue Tower.
Anyway, ours was but a brief stay – not even 24 hours. A superbly comfortable, relaxing evening and night soon gave way to breakfast complete with fine French organic jam (full marks), then a trek to test-drive the creche, check-out, and suddenly it was all over.
To be serious for a moment, the Blue Tower is expensive; it is most definitely for clientele who want for nothing. Is it worth it? Well, this is Gleneagles after all. It is special.
The Blue Tower suite typically costs £1,788 a night until April 30. Thereafter, the price goes up to £1,990, May through October.
Valid until March 31, 2008, a winter midweek B&B break starts at £190 per room, per night.
Until April 30, 2008, enjoy a B&B break from £225 per room, per night.
Phone 0800 704 705 or visit www.gleneagles.com
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