Gleneagles is simply the finest golf resort in not just Britain and Ireland but the whole of Europe. Ranking lists are obviously the peak of subjectivity, but this is one No. 1 no-one can quibble with. There is robust reason to suggest there isn’t a better all-round golf resort in the world. 

It starts with an enormous advantage over almost every other resort in GB&I; three courses that are all of an exceptionally high standard. One is a fixture in any GB&I Top 100 Courses ranking, one is usually in those same lists and the third is a Scottish Top 100 staple that also happens to have hosted the Ryder Cup. 

Only St Andrews Links Trust, Carnoustie, Wentworth and Woburn in Britain can match Gleneagles for 54-hole quality – and none of those have hotels directly attached. 

Then you add in the hotel and the amenities, which stand comparison with anywhere in Europe. By ‘anywhere’ I mean any hotel or resort, not just ones with golf courses attached. 

Gleneagles might be best known for golf, but hundreds of guests stay here every month who have no intention of playing golf or probably even know there are any courses. 

The facilities are extraordinary, and add significant ballast to the resort’s self-styled title ‘A glorious playground’.