Bellagio Las Vegas has its fountains, Claridge’s its art deco splendour and Raffles Singapore its history. But only one of the world’s five-star hotels is home to shortbread courtesy of Andy Murray’s gran - and it’s in Scotland.
Cromlix, bought and restored by the double Wimbledon winner and his wife Kim in 2013, features in the new series of Scotland’s Greatest Escape.
One of the judges said staying at Cromlix made him feel like “a king”.
The Victorian mansion near Dunblane is up against Gilmerton House near North Berwick and Links House, Dornoch, in the “luxury” category of the BBC Scotland show next week.
Splendid as Gilmerton House and Links House were, only Cromlix guests will find in their room a treat labelled “shortbread recipe courtesy of Granny Erskine (Andy’s gran).”
The judges in the luxury category were Marina Huggett, a hospitality consultant, and Dr Masood Khodadadi, a lecturer in sustainable tourism.
First sight of the 15-bed Cromlix wowed the judges, as did the preparations before their stay. A month before arrival the hotel called to ask about dietary preferences. “You feel welcomed even before you get here,” says Khodadadi.
The pair stayed in the two turret suites, costing £835-£875 a night. As they took in the history meets modern luxury style, programme host Grado spoke to Kim Murray.
The Murrays held their wedding reception in Cromlix in 2015 and have been keen to keep the same welcoming atmosphere.
“I’ve always been adamant that I want this to feel like a home rather than a hotel,” says Kim. “I want to host people here. It’s five-star, I want it to be indulgent and aspirational and luxurious - that’s really important - but it needs to welcoming, inviting and accessible.”
After afternoon tea (from £37.50 per person) the judges had a tennis lesson from the resident pro (not Murray), visited the cocktail bar, had dinner and retired for the night.
“What makes it really special are all the small touches,” says Huggett, “the flowers from the garden, Andy’s granny’s shortbread, the fruit bowl. Every area of the guest experience has been thought about and catered for.”
Khodadadi agreed. “As much as it was a luxury experience it was very homely. Other five-star luxury establishments can be quite intimidating or overwhelming. I didn’t feel that at all here, I felt like I was in a beautifully decorated house.”
From Cromlix it was on to Gilmerton House, a ten-bedroom Georgian mansion costing £2000-4000 a night to rent. It is self-catering but a private chef is available. In Links House, overlooking the golf club, one of the judges stayed in the £1200 a night penthouse.
The winner of the luxury category, and the one going through to the final, will be revealed next week when the programme airs.
Scotland’s Greatest Escape, BBC Scotland, 8pm, March 6, and on iPlayer.
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