Hotelier and tennis champion Andy Murray isn't just a dab hand in Jack Draper's corner at Wimbledon. He continues to serve up aces at his Cromlix Hotel in his hometown of Dunblane, Scotland.
Banksy prints, sweet jars, and a purple tennis court. Irish interior designer Suzanne Garuda had quite the vision when she dreamed up the five-star Scottish hotel’s facelift.
Winner of three Grand Slam titles, Andy Murray bought Cromlix, a Grade B listed Victorian mansion, in 2013, the same year he won the first of his two Wimbledon titles.
Winner of the 2024 AA Hotel of the Year for Scotland, Cromlix Hotel is set on 34 acres of woodland in the Olympian's hometown of Dunblane.
The property was steeped in Murray family history long before Andy got the keys. The sportsman's brother Jamie, and their father, Willie, both married in the hotel's chapel.
Andy and Kim also celebrated their nuptials at the hotel in 2015 and regularly make use of the destination when they are back in Dunblane.
The hotel underwent a complete transformation when Andy first took charge thirteen years ago. Originally built in 1874, the dwelling was a stately home for 107 years before becoming a hotel in 1981.
Suzanne was tasked with scrapping the tired tartans in favour of a botanical-themed decor, with the help of Andy's wife, Kim.
The Belfast woman transformed Cromlix, drenching the walls with Farrow & Ball paint and filling the space with an eclectic mix of colours and textures redolent of a Scottish country house.
Peach-painted walls brighten some of the bedrooms, which are furnished with four-poster beds and free-standing baths.
In the lounges, you can curl up on well-upholstered seating clad in deep-pile velvets.
Cromlix has 15 appointed suites and bedrooms, which have been individually designed by interiorista Suzanne, who was also commissioned to decorate Andy and Kim's Surrey home.
The Irish woman has an impressive resume, having worked in a palace belonging to the Sultan of Brunei’s sister in Southeast Asia and the Kremlin in Moscow.
Suzanne is a Fine Art graduate from St Martin’s in London. She currently works out of her office in central Belfast.
Suzanne ensured to accentuate each room's individual characteristics when revamping the space. Some keep the hotel's Victorian heritage alive, while others boast a contemporary, pattern-happy look.
Cromlix has a duck-egg drawing room for guests to lounge by the fire, and a games room with a full-size billiards table that is lined with sweet jars.
In terms of fine dining, the Cradle restaurant can seat up to sixteen guests. The room is designed to be rooted in nature, and so deep, restful greens dominate.
The Glasshouse, governed by executive head chef Darin Campbell, has a lighter feel. Pretty pastels, including cucumber green walls and floral prints, add a vibrancy to this space.
In the Garden Room, where an exposed stone wall is the central focus. Here, guests can enjoy a long lunch.
The hotel is also adorned with Scottish art, which Andy famously champions. There are also pieces from pseudonymous street artist Banksy.
Andy is a huge fan of the artist and even bid on Girl on a Balloon before it was famously shredded at Sotheby's auction house in 2018.
One standout piece from the Banksy x Damien Hirst collaboration hangs proudly in the hotel library.
While the five-star doesn't have a pool, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the spa facilities, which include a sauna and a cold plunge by the lochan.
Despite the rural feel, the hotel is situated just 16 kilometres from the city of Stirling, known as the gateway of the Highlands. Meanwhile, Glasgow is 58 kilometres away.
Rooms at Cromlix start from about €369 on a bed and breakfast basis, though prices appear to be around €819 for an overnight weekend stay in the summer months.
To book an appointment with Suzanne Garuda, you can find her website here.
