Gleneagles Hotel: It's not just about Golf!

The chance to visit one of the world's best hotels would have been my idea of heaven-before I had kids. But so much has been said about the wonderful family activities now available at Scotland's renowned Gleneagles, that I was willing to share the experience of the five-star hotel with my two boisterous boys, who had been ordered to behave impeccably!

Be it the early 5am start, Scottish air or breathtaking views, hardly a word was muttered between us during the one-hour taxi ride from Edinburgh airport to Gleneagles. Only once we were at reception did the boys return to their usual habits of playing tag and skidding along the floor-under the watchful eyes of the G8 summit leaders whose portrait hangs in the hallway as a momento of their visit. As I struggled to discipline the kid's, I realised it was only myself they were embarrassing as everywhere I looked there seemed to be other kids racing around. And this is why the hotel, synonymous with luxury, is losing its snooty reputation, due in part to its excellent programme of activities for children that is pulling in young families.

Once inside our suite of rooms, it was thumbs up all round. With the boys screeching in delight at having found a PS3 in their bedroom, my husband could not contain his excitement at the championship golf courses viewed from our huge windows. I, on the other hand, was more in awe of the incredible rooms we had been given for our three-day stay, complete with enormous bed, under-floor heating and all the mod cons we could possibly dream of. Even the children's mini slippers, towelling robes and toiletries had not been overlooked.

With so much to explore, the four of us rushed downstairs in anticipation of what the hotel offered. Keen to hit the golf range, the boys had a swift change of heart once they encountered the children's zone, complete with snooker table, computer games, a jukebox and karaoke machine. There is even a brand new playroom where children  up to the age of ten can be left for two hours at no charge.  It didn't take too much encouragement to point my husband and the kids in the way of the golf academy an hour later where they were due to have some golf lessons. With precious time to myself, I opted for a bit of pampering in the new ESPA spa that is so spectacular I am not surprised it has recently undergone an £8 million refurbishment.
Eating at Gleneagles is tricky as the hotel has so much to offer it is difficult to know where to begin. Having the kids in tow though lessened our options, but every restaurant seemed more than happy to make anything that wasn't on the menu much to my kids delight. The highlight though was the Deseo restaurant-where the chef lets children create their own pizzas at their table.

With feather duvets and a six-choice pillow menu, even the hardened insomniac would find it difficult to resist sleeping at the hotel. Whilst I had heard rumours before our visit that guests are woken by the Scottish pipes playing in the grounds-our wake up call was sadly the bleep of the PS3 that the kids had discovered despite every attempt to hide it. Although this was a holiday for the kids, we refused to let them ruin our breakfast which in itself is an experience at Gleneagles. In fact, there is so much to eat we could have probably stayed there all day had we been by ourselves. Fortunately, for our stomachs, the kids had an off-road driving class booked so we managed to walk off our hearty Scottish meal as we made our way across the grounds.

Once at the hotel's driving school we watched in delight as the boys took their places in miniature land rover replicas to test their driving skills. As they explored the hotel's grounds by car under the eyes of two instructors, we could see the thrill in their eyes. Fortunately, the lure of the hotel's maze was enough to stop them looking too upset once their lesson was over. There are also plenty of other outdoor activities you can take part in-such as the falconry school, fly fishing, horse riding and clay pigeon shooting- but with so much to do, we headed to the warmth of the indoor swimming pool.
With our mini break almost over I realised that all my preconceptions of Gleneagles were totally wrong. The staff go out of their way to please youngsters and the atmosphere is so laid back I feel guilty that I ever imagined it to be anything other than relaxed.