Wyndham Duchally Country Estate: Our comprehensive guide of the hotel and facilities

Wyndham Duchally Country Estate is a sprawling estate in beautiful Perthshire, close to Gleneagles and its famous golf course. The historic main house was built in 1838 and houses the award-winning Monteaths restaurant, as well as charming whisky snug with a knowledgeable bartender ready to talk you through the 50 local whisky options on the menu.

Close to the bustling Auchterarder, this family-friendly property sits on 27 acres of parkland and makes the perfect base for exploring the wild and scenic Scottish countryside, from stunning castles in Scotland to unforgettable Scottish road trips. You could even embark on a day trip to the Queen's famous holiday home Balmoral Castle, which is just a few hours away in the car. We'd argue this charming corner of Scotland is one of the best places to visit in 2022.

W&H'S WYNDHAM DUCHALLY COUNTRY ESTATE REVIEW 

Whether you're looking for a short UK staycation or a week-long adventure with the whole family, this accommodating county house hotel is an ideal base for exploring what the area had to offer, conveniently located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, with easy access to the Scottish Highlands. 

WHAT MAKES THE SETTING OF WYNDHAM DUCHALLY SPECIAL?

Wyndham Duchally Country Estate has a real community, with lodges that feel like home and that famous Scottish hospitality greeting guests from the moment they step foot on site. The estate is secluded enough to mean you feel away from it all, but is within easy reach of local attractions, such as the famous Gleneagles golf course and the picturesque Ochil Hills. 

The surrounding areas offer breathtaking scenery, from rugged mountainous terrain to dense and vast forests, showcasing nature in all her varied glory. Plus, the Highlands are close by if you want to venture further into Scotland's great wilderness - perfect if you want to try some wild camping in Scotland.

There's also a variety of options on-site to experience something new like Scottish gin tasting or simply relax at the leisure facilities or during an appointment with Brenda, the onsite beauty therapist. 

Wyndham Duchally is a real home away from home with a relaxed atmosphere, without any pretense. Expect personal, friendly service and the chance to immerse yourself in beautiful Scottish scenery. 

WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES LIKE?

There are a number of facilities onsite for guests to enjoy, whether that means an activity with the whole family, or relishing some alone time. 

The main facilities at Wyndham Duchally Country Estate include:

• Leisure center, including a gym, heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room: Relax and unwind in the onsite leisure facilities, just a short walk away from lodges and the main house. 
• Onsite beauty therapist: Beauty by Brenda offers a selection of beauty treatments, including facials, massages, waxing, manicures, and pedicures.
• Award-winning restaurant: Award-winning restaurant Monteaths serves fresh, seasonal food with the precision of fine dining with a Scottish focus. 
• Whisky bar: Enjoy a dram or two at the main house's cozy whisky bar, with live music on selected evenings. 
• Bicycle hire: Local bikes are available to hire to explore the local landmarks on your doorstep.
• Gatehouse gin distillery: One of Wyndham Duchally's highlights is the quaint onsite gin distillery where you can learn how to craft your own batch of gin, as well as taste the establishment's own gin offering alongside supermarket favorites in a warm and welcoming setting. 
• Highland safari: The hotel works with a local highland safari company that offers brilliant excursions that the whole family will love. You can find out more at highlandsafaris.net.

WHAT ARE THE LODGES LIKE?

There are a number of different rooms you can book on the grounds, both in the main house and across the estate. These include: 

• Lodges: two bedrooms and three bedroom lodges with a balcony
• Cottage: one bedroom with a balcony
• Hotel: classic room or deluxe room

We reviewed one of the three-bedroom lodges, which also housed a spacious open-plan dining room and living room. The décor is minimal and practical, with huge comfy sofas for collapsing onto after a day of exploring. There's plenty of space, so this property would suit larger families or groups of friends, and it's worth noting that one of the bedrooms is downstairs if there are any accessibility requirements for guests.  

The lodges are impeccably clean and feel newly renovated, with freshly painted rooms and furnishings. They're also well equipped, with cutlery, cookware, tableware, glasses, and mugs to hand and a charming welcome basket complete with tea, coffee, and local delicacies like the Gatehouse gin that's made on-site and Tablet (Scottish confectionery similar to fudge). The lodges are well insulated and heated, meaning that they stayed toasty warm, even when it was cold and frosty outside. 

WHAT IS THE RESTAURANT AT WYNDHAM DUCHALLY LIKE?

Monteaths is an all-day restaurant that serves local, seasonal dishes with a strong Scottish influence. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel's main eatery, with a full menu for children as well. 

Sample the finest Scottish food and drink, from locally-made sausages to 50 different types of local whisky, as well as the famous Perthshire breakfast. There's also an afternoon tea menu on offer, as well as a three-course menu of wholesome dishes for lunch and dinner.

The interior of the hotel bar is snug and inviting, with dark-wood paneling and plenty of snugs to recline into after a day's exploring. The restaurant itself has elegant touches, such as a marble fireplace accompanied, naturally, by a wood-burning stove and ornate ceiling cornice. 

LOCAL LANDMARKS AND POINTS OF INTEREST

Wyndham Duchally Country Estate is a great base for exploring the Scottish countryside. Just some of the local landmarks include:

• Gleneagles Golf Course: 40-minute walk
• Ochil Hills: 4-minute walk
• Phoenix Falconry: 4.7 miles 
• Innerpeffray Library: 8.9 miles
• Drummond Gardens: 0.2 miles
• Crieff Visitor Centre: 10.5 miles
• Drummond Castle Gardens: 11 miles 
• Dunblane Cathedral: 12.3miles 
• Dunblane Museum: 12.6 miles 

WYNDHAM DUCHALLY VERDICT: SHOULD YOU BOOK?

If you're looking for a family-friendly resort surrounded by natural beauty, this welcoming estate is a great choice, with plenty to amuse guests of all ages. While this picturesque resort is a great destination all year round, but it's one of the best places to visit in September thanks to its surrounding parklands that look particularly breathtaking dressed in autumn colors. 

We particularly love how easy it is to reach wilder parts of the Scottish countryside from the estate, as well as the passion for local produce found in the hotel's restaurant, as well as the onsite gin distillery. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT WYNDHAM DUCHALLY

• Star rating: 4-star
• Is it family-friendly? Yes
• Is spa use included? Yes
• Is breakfast included? Yes
• Is there free wi-fi? Yes
• Rates: Rates vary within season and occupancy - guests are able to experience the estate from £150 per night for a hotel room and £165 for a lodge
• The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport, around 45 minutes in the car
• The nearest town is Auchterarder, around 15 minutes away by car
• The nearest train station us Gleneagles Railway Station, which is 1.8 miles away 
• For more information and to book, visit wyndhamduchally.com

Prices from (per night):

Lodges:
Two bed lodge: £150
3 bed lodge: £165 (in high season it is £280 a night)

Hotel:
Hotel Classic Room: £125
Hotel Deluxe room: £170