Gleneagles Wins The Inaugural Art of Hospitality Award

Gleneagles’ win was voted for by a panel of 580 hoteliers, travel journalists, consultants, and seasoned luxury travellers from The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, who were asked to name the property in the world where they have received the single-best hospitality experience within the two-year voting period.

This is the first of two special awards to be announced in the weeks leading up to the glittering awards ceremony on 19 September 2023 at London’s historic Guildhall, where the first-ever list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels will be revealed.

The Art of Hospitality Award celebrates a hotel’s outstanding service and attention to detail. It is designed to reward a property and its entire staff for the professional standards they uphold and the way they interact with guests, from the reception desk to housekeeping and its food and beverage teams. Judges were asked to consider the ambience created in the hotel, the delivery of unique experiential elements and the overall warmth of the hospitality and environment.

The Gleneagles Hotel first opened in 1924 and, because of the beauty of its location, was described as a ‘Riviera in the Highlands’. After its grand opening ball, which gained media attention calling it the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Gleneagles became one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates. Set beneath the Ochil Hills, in the heart of Perthshire, it has been the must-go destination for discerning travellers for nearly a century. A playground of country pursuits and activities, the 850-acre estate epitomises the natural beauty for which Scotland is famed.

Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of The Gleneagles Hotel, says: “It’s an incredible honour to be the first recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award, part of the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023. It’s all down to the incredible people that make up the team at Gleneagles, without them this wouldn’t be possible, and this award is a celebration of their hard work and commitment to making each and every guest’s stay a truly unique and memorable experience. The Gleneagles Hotel is unlike anywhere else in the world and we strive to offer service which is also second to none, so to receive this recognition is very special”.

The accolade is a recognition of Gleneagles’ steadfast commitment to the highest standard of service across the entire estate, from leisure and wellness to food and drink, with the hotel due to mark its centenary next year. Indeed, such pleasure is taken in working at Gleneagles that many team members have stayed for decades, as Guest Relations Manager Iris Marhencke comments, “We have some members of staff that have worked here for 40 years. We get to see generational changes; the guests start to become part of the Gleneagles family and the staff become part of the guest’s family”. Similarly, the spirit of the unique Gleneagles offering is summarised by Director of Food and Beverage, Daniel Greenock, who notes, “Guests have the opportunity to experience the best spa in the country or, in contrast, to hike through the harsh weather in the beautiful Glendevon mountains. I feel privileged to be a part of a hotel and a name so rich in history; we are who we are because of the hard work of the people who have worked here before us for almost 100 years”.

Above all, impeccable service underpins everything that the Gleneagles hotel stands for. Winning the Art of Hospitality Award is due recognition for each and every team member’s dedication to their role.