Travel: Spend a luxurious weekend full of festive fun at Alexander House near Auchterarder

There is no better way to spend the festive season. Image: Frank Cornfield

As we drove up the dirt track in the pitch dark, we wondered whether we might have taken a wrong turn. But then, Alexander House appeared. It looked like something from a movie, its outline made of fairy lights.

Like most families, I imagine, we used to spend most Saturday nights with our neighbours and family friends. The kids would be in one room watching the X Factor when it was still good and getting increasingly wired on Tesco’s 3-for-£1 sweets deal. The adults would be in the other room doing I still don’t know what.

With house moves, new jobs, university and general growing up, our meet-ups became less frequent. So as we approached Alexander House in a bizarre convoy of vehicles from across the country to spend the first weekend of December together, it felt special.

Alexander House

The Lewis family built Alexander House on the site of an old ruined farmstead near Auchterarder in 2009. Though it isn’t old in the grand scheme of things, it fits in with the landscape and could well have been a traditional stately home.

The front door was quite literally wrapped up in a bow when we arrived and as we entered, the house was a gift that kept on giving. It can sleep up to 24 in the east and west wing, which are joined by two gorgeous living spaces, a kitchen, dining room, utility room and games room. Despite being huge, it is cosy. There is no stuffiness or feeling that it’s too posh to set foot in and all 18 of us – plus both pooches who were welcome too – felt at home immediately.

The kitchen and dining area was perfect for all of us. Image: Frank Cornfield

With it being December, the team had fully decked the halls for our arrival. There was a huge Christmas tree in the bay window of the living room as well as decorations throughout – the trees outside were even adorned with baubles.

Once we had attempted to take in our home for the weekend, we set about unloading food and drink from the cars, quickly realising it looked like we were to be staying for the month. Friday night was one full of food, catching up and me being beaten at both pool and darts.

Luxury inside and out

There were no fights over where we would each rest our heads for the night as each room was luxurious and complete with an en-suite. The master bedroom my boyfriend and I managed to bag even had a huge freestanding bath with views out over the Perthshire hills.

The hot tub and heated pool were a real treat. Image: Frank Cornfield

Now that I have experienced a life where you can start the day with a few lengths in a heated outdoor pool followed by a cup of tea in one of two hot tubs, I am not sure how I am supposed to go back to my usual toast on the sofa. The luxury inside Alexander House stretches outside too.

We are usually on the go constantly and don’t like sitting around, but in a house as beautiful as that, it would have been a crime not to enjoy every moment of it. We briefly wandered down the driveway to admire the views, but other than that, we took relaxation to the max.

The games room was home to a lot of fun. Image: Frank Cornfield

Christmas dinner for 18

With it being the start of December, we decided there was nothing else for it on Saturday afternoon than to cook probably the biggest Christmas dinner I have ever seen. It was a stunning affair, a huge bird at the centre surrounded by mountains of roast potatoes, sprouts, pigs in blankets and so much more. I have sat at few tables where 18 felt like a comfortable number, but no one struggled to get their elbows out and dig into their dinners.

Bottles of bubbly were popped and more games came out to end the evening. The Christmas songs were turned up and you could feel the stresses that lay beyond the house winding down.

It was impossible not to feel the festive cheer. Image: Frank Cornfield

It’s safe to say no one wanted to leave when Sunday came. What made it slightly more manageable was the 12pm checkout time, which meant we could still enjoy our morning dip.

While it is the most wonderful time of the year, December is also a busy and stressful one. Everyone has had the ‘we must organise a big get-together’ chat, but actually doing it is a whole different thing. Take this as your sign to go for it, and I can’t think of a much better place than Alexander House to host you.

PS.

Small groups are welcome at Alexander House too, with glamping options also available on site. Choose from yurts Heather and Bramble or converted trucks Juniper and Thistle. There is also an orangery if you fancy it as a wedding venue.

Factfile

Alexander House can be booked through Weekend Candy at weekendcandy.com/directory/hen-party-house-scotland/

Price per night starts from £1750 with a minimum 2-night stay.