Is it possible for one resort to be all things to all people?
Holidays can mean different things to different people.
Some just want to get away from it all and do nothing; some want a full-on activity-packed time of it; for some it’s all about the food; and for others, a spot of pampering is just the ticket.
Moness Resort, in picturesque Highland Perthshire, has all of these bases covered, and then some.
This sprawling complex on the outskirts of Aberfeldy can cater for pretty much any type of holidaymaker, as it boasts a 26-room four-star hotel and 106 cottages of various styles, spread throughout its 35-acre site. It has even added a marquee recently to cater for weddings and other functions.
As far as my family is concerned, the children want full-on activity, but the adults also enjoy fine food and nice surroundings.
We were in luck at Moness as there is plenty to keep the kids entertained, from the good-sized swimming pool to the sports hall with tennis, badminton, basketball, squash and table tennis equipment. It even has its own bouncy castle.
The star attraction, however, was the pretty pond, populated by a large group of friendly and chatty ducks. My kids absolutely loved visiting the pond, and the fact you could buy duck food from reception made their holiday. At only one pound for a large bag of seeds, these ducks were very well fed during our stay.
We even renamed our daughter the Pied Piper of Moness as wherever she walked near the pond, she had a long trail of feathered friends waddling along behind her, waiting for a few tasty morsels to fill their bellies.
Returning to the facilities, they really were great, and my son and I had a ball when we booked the sports hall for a game of mini tennis. As mentioned, there are a number of sports to be played here, and he had his first taste of table tennis, which he loved. After slightly amending the rules of the game, it became more of a cross between table tennis, tennis and squash, as he decided we could use the floor and the walls as well, but he had the time of his life. It’s these simple pleasures that can make a family holiday.
We also spent a large chunk of our break in the swimming pool – which boasts a sauna, steam room, hot tub and a spa with a full range of treatments. Again, by way of catering for everyone staying at the resort, there are child-friendly sessions and adult-only sessions, which is a good way of doing things.
All four of us built up a healthy appetite in the pool and I for one was champing at the bit to visit the resort’s newly refurbished fine-dining restaurant The Flemmyng, which I had heard very good things about.
The formal Flemmyng Restaurant – a more casual dining experience can be enjoyed at the Terrace eatery next to the swimming pool, and takeaways can also be ordered – was a triumph from start to finish. The menu was varied and adventurous without being overwhelming, and came with a message which read: Please note that in the Flemmyng Restaurant we don’t serve “fast food” but fresh food cooked to order as fast as possible. A good start.
After much deliberation, I chose the haggis bon bon, turnip puree and a glazed duchesse potato with parsnip crisps, red amaranth and a smoked pancetta jus. I may not have known what all of these ingredients were, but a posh haggis, neeps and tatties will do me any day of the week. And what a dish this was. Beautifully presented, the haggis was full of flavour and the potatoes were wonderfully fluffy.
With the vegetarian options containing goats cheese – my wife’s least favourite ingredient – the kitchen was only too happy to offer her a tasty salad instead. This was appreciated and the starter received the thumbs up.
Not to be outdone, young Charlie had a starter of two boiled eggs and soldiers that would have fed an entire battalion, while Beth devoured her healthy and tasty melon with assorted fruits and sweet jus. Wonderful.
For mains, I chose Highland venison loin with dauphinoise potatoes, buttered large leaf spinach, wild mushroom puree, honey-glazed baby carrots and chocolate and juniper jus. Venison is not a meat I normally order, but having tasted the Flemmyng’s take on it, I will be enjoying more of it in future. Delicious, flavoursome and tender.
Again, my wife tested the kitchen with a request for something vegetarian that wasn’t on the menu, and they came up trumps with a lovely asparagus and pea risotto.
Despite the generous starter portions, the kids did well with their respective chicken goujons and macaroni and cheese mains. And after they finished off their meal with some ice cream – we were too full to justify any more indulgence – it was time to head for bed, full, content and impressed.
Back at our cottage – named The Coach House – we enjoyed a comfortable night with the children sharing a twin room and us in the double with en suite. Again, with the resort having undergone a £300,000 revamp recently, the accommodation was nicely decorated, spacious, comfortable and quiet.
So, is it possible for one resort to be all things to all people? Well, if that resort is Moness, the answer, most definitely, is yes.
TRAVEL FACTS
Moness House Hotel and Country Club, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DY
Telephone: 01887 822108
Website: www.moness.com