Andy and Kim Murray’s Dunblane hotel is racking up the awards, notably named Scotland’s best by hospitality beacon the AA and a Michelin Key.
But what makes five-star Cromlix Hotel so special?
The countryside retreat underwent major refurbishment led by Kim early last year, a decade after the couple bought the property for £1.8 million.
But it takes more than fancy decor and plush bedspreads to raise a hotel above its competitors.
We visited Cromlix to learn about some of the finer details which have so impressed guests, reviewers and judges alike.
And we met staff, including general manager Barry Makin and executive head chef Darin Campbell, to find out how their team goes the extra mile to serve an ace.
It was clear to see why people will happily pay upwards of £750 a night to stay in one of the luxurious Turret Suites or over £335 for a ‘basic’ Cottage room.
A special Cromlix welcome
Reception manager Ilona Harris, one of the first faces guests are likely to see, greets us warmly as we arrive.
Had we been staying overnight, we would already be acquainted with her or one of her colleagues.
Barry explains: “The Cromlix journey starts before they [guests] get here.”
A phone call to hotel guests a week before their stay and diners the day before ensure staff know the party by name on arrival.
“We will ask about special occasions, dietary requirements, anything in particular we can do,” says Barry.
“Are you bringing your dog? What’s your dog’s name?”
Glasses of bubbles are served as guests are checked-in, introduced to the hotel and their luggage taken to their room.
“They can either finish their drink by the fire or in the bar and then we will walk them up to their room and ensure they are settled,” says Barry.
“It’s one of our real strengths, the welcome we give.”
The homely atmosphere
Rows of Barbour wellies are lined up behind the front door, ready for to guests to enjoy the sprawling 34-acre estate.
It’s like walking through the vestibule of a charming but grand farmhouse.
Cromlix Hotel reception is not like a hotel reception – it’s more like someone’s cosy front lounge, albeit a rather opulent one.
That homely feel, echoed throughout the hotel, is no accident. Interior designer Suzanne Garuda, who worked with Kim on the refurbishment, specialises in domestic as well as commercial work. She also designed the Murrays’ family home.
Barry explains: “We want Cromlix to feel like a home, that we’re welcoming you to our house rather than a hotel. But it has to have the functionality of a hotel.
“Suzanne was the perfect match for us in terms of design.”
Kim was involved in every decision regarding the aesthetics of the refurbishment.
“This [the hotel] is how they feel; it’s an extension of them as a couple, the way they would have their house I guess,” says Barry.
“It’s not a carbon copy but it’s bright and it’s fun like their home.”
It’s like an art gallery
If you’re an art lover, then you’re in for a treat at Cromlix Hotel. Works by Damien Hirst and other famous artists adorn the walls.
Andy and Kim are huge art fans, and many of the pieces are from their own collection. Others are on loan from the Royal Scottish Academy.
Opposite a grand piano in one of the public areas hang four cartoon-like images depicting a shark, horse and other animals. These are by David Shrigley.
“These are Andy’s favourite pieces,” says Barry.
He adds: “We’ve actually bought some of the pieces from the RSA which were hanging around the hotel because they [Andy and Kim] like them so much.”
VIP treatment for your dog
“We all love dogs here and owners love to bring their dogs with them,” says Barry.
Dog-friendly rooms are equipped with a dog bed and bowl.
Your pooch will receive a welcome doggie hamper, toy and a turndown treat.
There’s even a doggie breakfast menu, with such delights as kippers delivered by room service.
And, of course, the Cromlix welcome means staff will give your beloved pet as warm a greeting as its humans, if not warmer!
A taste of Granny’s shortbread
Andy’s granny’s shortbread is famed in tennis circles.
From early in his sporting career, Shirley Erskine would pack some of her homemade shortbread in his racket bag, which Andy would share with his competitors.
Now, every guest at Cromlix Hotel gets a piece baked according to her recipe.
Barry says: “Andy’s gran used to make this shortbread, as granny’s do, and she’d give it to him for all his tournaments when he was a kid.
“So, he would take it to the Davis Cup and hand it round.
“Granny’ Erskine’s shortbread was renowned in the elite tennis community.
“We have the recipe and chef makes it to go in all the bedrooms and everyone, as they leave, gets a piece in a little bag to take away.
“It’s one of the things we get a huge amount of comments on.”
Bespoke coffee and tea stations
That welcome shortbread sits on bespoke, marble-topped tea and coffee stations which are a feature of every room.
The stations were created during the refurbishment.
They’re equipped with Nespresso coffee machines and Kitchen Aid kettles and stocked with a variety of coffee pods and pyramid silk teabags.
A scent of its own
Inhale deeply as you arrive at Cromlix Hotel. You won’t smell that scent anywhere else. Unless, of course, you buy a Cromlix candle to take home. It’s White Pepper, the hotel’s very own signature scent.
The hotel also has its own sustainable water supply, sourced from mineral springs in the grounds. It’s filtered and provided still and sparkling in glass bottles in every room.
There will also soon be a Cromlix gin, made with botanicals from the hotel grounds.
It also has its own chapel
Few hotels can claim to have their own chapel like Cromlix does.
Cromlix Chapel, an Episcopalian church, dates back to 1874 and still contains family banners of the Hays and Drummonds who once occupied by the mansion house.
Broadcaster and Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond is among the latest to be married there (in July).
His name is in the guest book, which has entries going back 130 years.
Obviously, the food
Top notch food, of course, is a highlight of a visit to Cromlix Hotel. And how could it not be with the Scottish Excellence Awards chef of the year in charge of The Glasshouse Restaurant.
Executive head chef Darin Campbell’s impressive CV includes time at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles Hotel and One Devonshire Gardens, in Glasgow.
When he’s not conjuring up culinary delights he can sometimes be found foraging in the grounds for mushrooms or picking ingredients in the hotel’s kitchen garden.
His aim is to give diners something unexpected.
He says: “Everyone is a food expert now so you have to give them something they can’t cook at home.
“We’re always raising the bar.”
Past creations include duck lasagne. The current dinner menu has such delights as Newtonmore roe deer loin with game pastilla, pumpkin pureé and Agen prunes.
And giving the tradition a twist, afternoon teas have not a sandwich in sight. Savouries instead include a chickpea and potato latke and boeuf bourguignon croissant.
There’s a (slim) chance of meeting the Murrays
Andy and Kim love spending time at Cromlix Hotel with their four children. It was due to Andy’s family ties to it that they bought the mansion house in 2013.
Over the years many a family gathering was held there. Since they took over, Andy’s dad and brother Jamie have both married there. Andy and Kim’s wedding reception in 2015 was at Cromlix.
Despite being retired from tennis, Andy remains extremely busy so visits are only occasional.
But he and Kim are delighted to meet guests when they are there.
“They were up a few weeks ago with the family,” says Barry. “They love the place and they kick back and relax.
“He’s so good with everyone, the time he gives people even when he’s on a personal break.
“He’s so well-liked. As a down-to-earth family they are just delightful.”
And, of course, the rooms
Cromlix Hotel’s 15 rooms – five of them suites – and gate lodge range from the Cottage rooms to the top-end Turret Suites.
Each is decorated individually in vivid colours, with chandeliers and antique furniture.
Enormous beds – some of them four-poster – are draped with deep throws.
At turndown, you’ll find a chocolate from Edinburgh firm Quirky Chocolates on your pillow.
Bathrooms are stocked with toiletries from another Edinburgh artisan company, Modm.
A stay at Cromlix Hotel, starting at £335 per night, can be booked on the hotel’s own website.
Conversation