Scotland has some of the most beautiful hotels, both in and around the more popular cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The hotels come in a variety of styles, atmospheres, and looks, so it is really not fair to call one the best hotel in Scotland. The key to finding the best is actually dictated by what you want during your trip. Do you prefer a classy, elegant hotel in the middle of the city where you can sip on cocktails and book a spa day? Or do you prefer something more rustic in the middle of the countryside, still luxurious but more natural? The best is up to you and your preference.
Best Hotels in Scotland
1. The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire
2. Cameron House, Loch Lomond
3. Kimpton Blythswood Square, Glasgow
4. Kinloch Lodge, Skye
5. Virgin Hotels, Edinburgh
5 Best Hotels in Scotland
Still, after reading, you will agree that the list below highlights some of the best hotels in Scotland.
1. The Gleneagles, Perthshire
If there is one hotel in Scotland that deserves to have its name on a list of the best hotels, it is Gleneagles. The 228-room sprawling hotel is located in an 850-acre golf estate in the Scottish countryside. The real picture of luxury, the hotel was built in 1924 and has been offering top-notch luxury to guests for over a century now.
The hotel has earned its laurels too, with rooms that are as cosy as they are luxurious. Many rooms come with elaborate period details like a canopied bed, chandeliers, fireplaces, and balconies. You can also be assured of receiving impeccable service, whether it is simply a conveniently placed binoculars for sightseeing or a glass of milk at night to help you rest better.
Although the rooms are luxurious, Gleneagles gets its true reputation as a golf course hotel. With three well-maintained and equipped courses aptly named King, Queen, and PGA Centenary Course, there is no shortage of space for a long day of golfing. Added to this, the hotel has a gym and two swimming pools, a tennis court, horse riding, fishing, game practice, and a Falconry school. So you can be sure that there is no way that you can get bored.
As if that is not enough, there is also an award-winning ESPA spa. The luxurious spa is fitted with an outdoor thermal swimming pool, a sauna, and 20 treatment rooms where guests get pampered with a massage session or treatments made from local ingredients. For dinner, you can go to any of the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurants; the Strathearn and Andrew Fairlie for a truly amazing fine dining experience. Or you can visit Birnam, the Dormy, the Garden Cafe, or Afternoon Tea in the Glendevon for casual meals like breakfast, lunch, and Afternoon Tea. Don’t forget to visit any of the bars; the American Bar, The Century Bar, and Auchtererder 70 for a cocktail and a chance of small talk over a drink. There is even an opportunity to cook your catch of the day or have a picnic packed for you for a walk.
Gleneagles is one of those hotels that don’t come cheap, but you know it is worth every penny you spend.
Location: The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £400 – £1250
2. Cameron House, Loch Lomond
For a truly Scottish experience when you are visiting Loch Lomond, a stay at Cameron House is in order. The hotel should really be one of the places on your list for a place to stay while vacationing in Scotland’s best sights. A former Baronial Mansion, with many centuries of history, you know the hotel has character when you see its special registered Tartan colours fitted everywhere.
Cameron House is more of a resort than a simple hotel, truth be told, and is perfect for both families and singles. With its inbuilt cinema house, two golf courses, ample fishing sites, and trails for leisurely walks, there is so much to see and do. One of the hotel’s best features is its award-winning thermal spa with several saunas_ infrared and traditional, hydrotherapy pools, ice fountains, jacuzzi, and rooftop infinity pool. All of which come with a beautiful view of the grounds.
The rooms are just as fitted with Tartans as the other parts of the hotel, bringing a beautiful blend of culture and modernity. The hotel rooms are divided into spacious, cosy rooms with comfortable furniture and a view of the loch. There are family rooms with adjoining parents’ and children’s rooms, simple double-bed rooms, and large suites. Many of these rooms come with a private balcony or terrace. For a more personalized experience, you can stay at one of Cameron House’s Lodges and Apartments. These lodges are fully furnished houses with Kitchens, parlours, dining areas, and multiple rooms designed for more lengthy stays. They are just the perfect place for a long summer vacation.
The hotel also houses multiple world-class restaurants, including La Vista, Cameron Grill, and Loma by Graeme Cheevers for fine dining. There is also the Tavern and the Cafe Spa for more leisurely dining after a day out on the course or relaxing in the spa. Lastly, there are two spacious bars when you need a drink: the Great Scots for a good stiff drink and the Lobby bar for something more modern.
Location: A82, Loch Lomond, Alexandria, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £400 – £650
3. Kimpton Blythswood Square, Glasgow
The Blythswood Square Hotel is located inside a historic Georgian building that once housed The Royal Scottish Automobile Club. The hotel has a unique feature where it is located in the center of the city, and it has a host of shops and entertainment, but you conveniently forget this little detail. This is as a result of its beautifully maintained gardens and tranquil, spacious environment.
The rooms at Blythswood Square include every kind, from stylish classic rooms to the show-stopping penthouse suite, which spans an entire top floor and boasts its own private lift and a hot tub terrace with skyline views. The space is airy, light, spacious, and features large sash windows, marble bathrooms, and modern Scottish accents like sliding shutters between the bedroom and bathroom. Many have terraces, balconies, and windows that overlook the private gardens of the square.
The hotel serves a seasonal menu at iasg, the hotel’s signature restaurant, where fresh Scottish seafood takes center stage. Lunch and dinner options include mains like duck breast or beef burger and monkfish, or oysters. There is also a selection of mouthwatering desserts to order from, from yogurt parfait to chocolate ganache and Scottish cheese and fruit chutney. The restaurant also offers afternoon tea for those who would like to indulge in the British afternoon tradition.
The recently refurbished spa is also one of the hotel’s major attractions, offering residents twice access to a pool, jacuzzi, saunas, a steam room, and a snow room. With its central location, high-quality facilities, and strong attention to detail, Blythswood Square is one of the best choices for travellers looking for comfort and style in Glasgow.
Location: 11, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £219 – £550
4. Kinloch Lodge, Skye
Kinloch Lodge is a luxury hunting lodge and farmhouse with more than 500 years of existence. The family-run hotel still holds firmly to its ethos of sustainability, taking care of the home they love and the people they serve and supporting their community. The hotel directly faces the black Loch Dahl, and many of the rooms and suites have a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding grounds.
The hotel does not hide the fact that it is old, maybe because it doesn’t look like an old house. The only way to know Kinloch is centuries old is the several beautiful paintings of both the matrons of the lodge and the Stuart kings, hung on the walls. The rooms are large and spacious, whether doubles or suites, with a very modern bathroom and windows that open up to the loch.
However, the truly amazing specialty of Kinloch is its restaurant, spearheaded by Jordan Webb. The head chef has mastered the art of turning simple local produce and ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. It doesn’t matter if you are having poached eggs or porridge for breakfast and seafood or freshly caught game for dinner. Every dish is as delicious as the one before it. To finish up, there is dark chocolate or maybe ice cream, that you are sure to polish off.
Location: A851, Sleat, Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £430 – £850
5. Virgin Hotels, Edinburgh
If you are visiting Edinburgh, you probably have heard of the Royal Mile. Just a little further from the historic street, that’s where you will find Virgin Hotels, in an old stone building. The Hotel is one of the few hotels located right in the middle of the city with as much history, character, and elegance as an old country house.
The rooms and different quarters are quirky, like the old library with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and soft flower-patterned chairs. Or the rooms with their two-chambered style that separates the space, no matter the size_into a sleeping and living area. The accommodations are pretty pet-friendly, so you can come along with your furry friends during your stay.
The hotel also has an in-house restaurant and bar somewhere in the cellar, serving great Scottish meals. If you don’t want to eat indoors, Virgin is close enough to the shops in the city that you are sure to find something you like. Any of its 222 rooms is the perfect place to stay when vacationing in Edinburgh.
Location: Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £260 – £550
Conclusion
Everyone knows that your accommodation can make or mar your whole holiday, so hopefully you get to stay in one of these amazing hotels during your next visit to Scotland.
