Disclaimer: this stay was hosted by Glenlaurel. Photos and opinions are our own.
Beth and I recently celebrated 20 years of marriage with an invited getaway to Glenlaurel Scottish Inn & Cottages in the Hocking Hills. We had visited there once several years ago for Beth’s birthday, and when they kindly invited us back for an overnight stay, we figured that, given our recent travels to and deep love of Scotland, a Scottish-themed escape was a fitting commemoration.
Glenlaurel is tucked into a property in Rockbridge, a quick drive from many of the Hocking Hills’ main attractions like hiking trails, caves, shops, and restaurants. The property includes a restaurant, reception building, a dozen cottages and crofts, guest rooms, a hiking trail through a gorge, and outdoor spaces to relax and play.
Exploring the region reminds us of the similarities between Scotland and SE Ohio, with rough and often rocky countryside, hills and ravines, and landscape that just begs to be explored.
Glenlaurel features 13 private crofts and cottages, plus a collection of guest rooms and suites in the Carriage House and the Manor House.
They kindly put us up in The Wallace Cottage. The cottages and crofts require a short, short drive from the main buildings into the woods to find them.
The cottage includes a comfy living room with a small kitchen attached, a king bedroom, large bathroom – and each one comes with hot tub on a deck, fenced in for privacy. As an extra celebration, we brought a small bottle of 10-year Talisker single malt, which we purchased during our tour of the distillery back in 2019.
While you’re staying at Glenlaurel, you can reserve seats for dinner at their in-house restaurant. Reservations are required – they’ll have you select entrees and report any dietary concerns ahead of time – and a dress code is enforced (no jeans or T-shirts, sport coats for the gents, etc.).
Before dinner you’re invited to a social hour at the downstairs pub. It’s a convivial gathering with light snacks provided and drinks for purchase. We grabbed a couple cocktails – Beth a martini loaded with olives and me with a Rob Roy (seemed appropriate) – and relaxed in the plush rooms before being called to dinner.
Dinner is formal but comfortable, with a six-course menu arranged by Chef Jean-Michel Matos. Each night of the week features a different entree, although you can request alternative selections. We were visiting on a Wednesday, so the entree was duck, although Beth requested the beef instead.
If you visit on a Saturday evening, they feature a seven-course dinner centered around a rack of lamb. And you don’t have to be staying at Glenlaurel to dine there. You can just make reservations! Read more about dinner at Glenlaurel here.
Expect some privacy at your table, but to also interact with fellow guests in the dining room. The wait staff smoothly transitions you from course to course. And the dining room enjoys some lovely views of the grounds, especially the setting sun.
Our meal that evening included:
- Atlantic sea scallop Florentine
- Smoked heirloom tomato bisque
- Summer green salad
- Scoop of mango sorbet
- Duck and filet served with sweet potato mash and asparagus
- Martini shortcake for dessert
You can also order drinks to go with dinner. We enjoyed a glass of wine each, and some decaf coffee to wrap up the evening.
After dinner, the chef came out and chatted with everyone, sharing some of his background and asking what we thought of the meal.
You could spend your whole stay without ever leaving Glenlaurel. True to their origins as a Scottish-themed getaway, they feature an eight-hole golf course for guests to play.
And there are plenty more outdoor spaces and activities, from seating with a view, a firepit, horseshoes, cornhole, and hikes through the nearby gorge.
And breakfast is included in your stay! We lucked out with a cool fall morning, perfect for breakfast on the deck.
You’re served coffee, tea, and juice, a scone, oatmeal, and a selection from the two entrees of the day. We enjoyed a Belgian waffle and a mozzarella and spinach omelet, with sides of bacon and yogurt with fruit.
It was the perfect finish to our stay at Glenlaurel!
Bonus: Glenlaurel is close to many of the Hocking Hills’ most popular features. On our way in, we stopped and hiked through Cantwell Cliffs. It’s a highly recommended addition to your stay!
Thanks to the folks from Glenlaurel for hosting us!
Glenlaurel Scottish Inn & Cottages
14940 Mount Olive Rd.
Rockbridge, OH 43149
(740) 385-4070 or 800-809-7378
glenlaurel.com
Find them on Facebook and @glenlaurel_inn on Instagram
Disclaimer: this stay was hosted by Glenlaurel. Photos and opinions are our own.
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