Inside Andy Murray’s stunning five-star Cromlix hotel in Scotland

British sporting icon Andy Murray and his wife Kim may be the owners of the magnificent Cromlix Hotel, yet there is very little evidence of the sport the couple are famous for when you visit their glorious Scottish retreat.

Nestled a few minutes down the road from Andy’s Dunblane home, Cromlix is a special place for Murray and his wife as this is where they staged their wedding reception in April 2015, while his brother Jamie also celebrated his wedding at the hotel.

Yet aside from the tennis court on the grounds at Cromlix and the regular presence of Andy’s mother Judy mingling with visitors, there are few references of the famous owner around this hotel.

Here is your Tennis365 guide to what to expect at the five-star Cromlix estate.

THE HISTORY

Although regarded as a sizeable Victorian mansion today, the first iteration of the building as it now stands, Cromlix Cottage, was built by Captain Arthur Drummond in 1874 in a rustic style with a lack of grand staircase.

It was an inauspicious start and the original building was destroyed by fire just four years later, in 1878. It was rebuilt in 1880 in the original style.

In 2013, the estate was acquired by Kim and Andy Murray – but its connection to the Murray family goes back much further.

In 1982, Andy’s grandparents, Roy and Shirley Erskine, held their silver wedding anniversary at the hotel – its first function after being converted from a family home.

Since then, Golden and Diamond celebrations followed for the couple, as well as blessings, birthdays and three weddings for the Murray family – including Kim and Andy’s in 2015.

KIM MURRAY’S STAMP

From the moment you start your drive up the winding lane that leads to Cromlix, there is a sense that you are about to experience something very special. 

Kim Murray’s stamp is all over this luxury hotel, as she played a central role in the stylish redesign that brings a modern touch to this very traditional hotel.

“Andy and I took the management of Cromlix back into our own hands at the beginning of last year, after working with a management company for the previous ten years, and it’s been a great decision for us,” Kim told Tennis365 in an exclusive interview.

READ MORE: Kim and Andy Murray speak to Tennis365 about their most exciting project

“We have had much more input in the last 12 months and we feel like it’s a better reflection of us as owners now, without having tennis rackets and photos of Andy throughout! The good news is that the hotel is thriving.

“We worked with Suzanne Garuda of Garuda Design who managed the interior design of our own home. She is brilliant at finding amazing wallpapers and textiles, with bold colours and prints, that you wouldn’t think would all work together but somehow they do.”

DINE IN STYLE

The Glasshouse is the signature restaurant at Cromlix, with locally sourced ingredients, simply prepared in an open kitchen and accompanied by spectacular views of the surrounding grounds and gardens.

Executive Head Chef Darin Campbell and his team prepare wild and wonderful Scottish produce, taking inspiration from our surroundings to create a landscape of flavour, colour and texture on every plate.

We tried the steak main course on our visit which was prepared perfectly and breakfast the following morning is a treat that needs to be experienced in this high-quality restaurant.

INPUT OF THE MURRAY’S

We spoke to Cromlix General Manager Barry Makin, who revealed Kim Murray has a more hands-on role in the hotel’s set-up than her tennis-playing husband.

“Andy is still focused on playing at the moment, so Kim has led the design and the programme of the hotel recently,” Barry told Tennis365.

“Kim and Andy intended to bring Cromlix back to its former glory and give back something to the local community.

“I think 90 per-cent of our staff come from within a five-mile radius of the hotel, so it is a real community-led property.”

The distinctive modern and fresh look of Cromlix has seen Kim put her stamp on the property, alongside a trusted ally.

“Kim has led the refurbishment of the hotel in the last year with designer Suzanne Garuda, who worked on her family home and then worked on Cromlix,” added Barry.

“There has been a significant change. This was a traditional Scottish home with a tartan and leather interior, but it is more modern and fresh now while continuing to have references to the history of the house.

“There are not too many tennis references around Cromlix. We are owned by Andy and Kim and we are proud to be, but we don’t have a picture of Andy above the door and there are no Wimbledon references around. That is very deliberate.

“We have the shortbread in the rooms that are following a recipe from Andy’s granny, but aside from that, we want the hotel to be an experience that is not focused on tennis.”

OUR VERDICT

With a stunning loch making for a breathtaking walk and a classy ambience that ensures you are taken away from the worries of the world the moment you arrive at Cromlix, this is a getaway that is perfect for afternoon tea, a spectacular evening meal or an overnight stay.

The quality of every element of the hotel ensures you need to pay a premium price to enjoy the experience, but it is worth every penny as Cromlix allows you to live like Scottish royalty for the day in a venue that is worthy of the sporting champion who is the proud owner.

So if you are paying a visit to Scotland, a visit to Cromlix has to be added to your itinerary.