Gleneagles | WOW 5-star golf resort

This is the view from our room in the front of the hotel, overlooking the great lawn, pitch and putt course, and hills in the background. Gleneagles is everything the most discriminating guest would expect of a great five star resort. Large, impressive lobby with high ceilings, detailed wood moldings, and all the character you'd expect from a resort built 90 years ago but with completely up-to-date furnishings and amenities.

Our Estate Room is extremely spacious with high ceilings, two large Colonial windows admitting wonderful natural light into the room. A somewhat long and narrow bathroom provides dual vanities (the first we've had in Scotland!) and a rain shower in the tub. We are in one of the non-renovated rooms per our own request, while Josh and Jessica are in a renovated Estate Room. Their bathroom includes a separate soaking tub and step-in shower as well as dual vanities. Virtuoso guests at Gleneagles receive an upgrade (if available) at the time of booking, so book a room at the Classic rate to end up in a Sovereign room, or book a room at the Sovereign rate to end up in the top category Estate room.

Gleneagles offers a myriad of activities including three 18-hole golf courses, a full spa, falconry, fishing, horse riding, shooting, and tennis ... and four restaurants from which to choose, including Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie.

After spending two nights in a wonderful B&B in Oban with just 12 rooms, it was actually a bit of a culture shock when we arrived this afternoon to this incredible resort set on 850 acres with 232 rooms — but we quickly acclimated. If you are a discerning golfer seeking a no-compromise luxury resort in Scotland, come to Gleneagles. You'll be a happy camper!

Virtuoso guests enjoy a great set of amenities: guaranteed room upgrade at time of booking (if the upgrade is available at that time), daily full Scottish breakfast for two, Afternoon Tea for two once during your stay, and a complimentary round of golf on the King's or Queen's course with a two night stay.


UPDATE: Gleneagles has a really nice spa, The Spa by ESPA. There is an outdoor hot pool set to 98º with very well positioned jacuzzi jets, and my massage from Elsa was WOW!

copyright  (c)  2015 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

beware of orbitz...

I participated in an online forum last week on the subject of booking luxury hotel rooms online. My assertion: you can usually get much better value booking from a travel agent specializing in luxury travel, especially an agent who is a Virtuoso member. My assertion was challenged by another forum participant who urged readers to forget my advice. "[E]asy to book any of the luxury ones on-line," he wrote. The discussion continued, with another member telling of bargains he had gotten on Priceline. He also mentioned skyauction.com as a source of "excellent hotel luxury values."

So I did an experiment (which readers are encouraged to duplicate on their own). My methodology was as follows. I simulated three identical bookings (on Friday, Dec. 8 at 12 noon PST) for the lowest priced "luxury hotel" in Paris offered by skyauction.com, the Splendid Etoile (pictured above): one room for two guests for two nights, checking in March 15. (Skyauction has a two night minimum).

(1) I simulated the booking on skyauction.com.
(2) I simulated the identical booking on orbitz, travelocity, and expedia (the Big Three).
(3) I simulated the identical booking on Sabre (a GDS used by travel agents that shows availability and all available rates).
(4) I compared the rates, payment terms, and cancellation policy.


The results

(1) Skyauction charged a base rate of $245 a night, adding $32 per night for taxes and service fees, and a $20 processing fee. Total cost: $574. This amount is charged immediately to your credit card, and the reservation is NON-CANCELABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

(2) Orbitz charged a base rate of $318.42 a night including breakfast, adding a total of $57.95 in taxes and fees. Total cost: $694.44. This is a pre-paid rate (meaning they charge this immediately to your credit card). If you cancel more than three days prior to arrival, Orbitz charges a $25 cancellation fee. Within three days, you are charged for one night.

By the way, neither Travelocity nor Expedia showed availability at this hotel.

(3) The Sabre GDS showed all the available rates. The "Exclusive Hotels Best Rate" was 119 EUR ($158) with taxes included. Total cost in USD: $316. You guarantee the room with your credit card (your card is not charged), and you can cancel without penalty up to 3 days before arrival. Within three days, you are charged for one night.

(4) Another observation: Skyauction, orbitz, and travelocity give Splendid Etoile a four-star rating. Expedia gives it a three-and-one-half star rating. The hotel's own description on Sabre states that they have a three-star rating from the French Tourist Board.


My conclusions

(1) If you want the experience that a luxury hotel can offer you, take online promotions of luxury hotel values with a grain of salt. Make that a lot of salt! You would likely be quite disappointed with the Splendid Etoile if you are looking for upscale, luxury accommodations. A travel consultant who specializes in luxury hotels will have extensive knowledge and experience to guide you in the selection of a hotel.

(2) Beware of orbitz, even with their "low price guarantee." The "special negotiated rate" they quoted in this experiment was more than double what any travel agent in the world can get you.

(3) Beware of pre-paying for your room. When you prepay an online travel agent such as orbitz, you may be booking a NET rate that orbitz has negotiated with the property and is marking up. How much is the markup? I don't know, but compare prices and make your own guess.

(4) Do your internet shopping first; then go to your travel agent and see what he or she can do for you. True story: A client recently came to me with a discount price she had gotten from the hotel's own website for a two night booking. I saved her 140 EUR (about $186) ... and got her free breakfasts each morning in addition, as well as a room upgrade upon arrival if available.


orbitz travelocity expedia luxury hotel sabre gds value online booking Virtuoso skyauction priceline travel consultant