Best Hotels in Scotland - The Ultimate Guide

For a small nation Scotland has a thriving tourist industry and with that comes a wide range of accommodation from budget B&Bs to sleek five star establishments offering every possible luxury you can think of! With a country of such a diverse landscape and so many different things to do and see, it is no surprise that it’s tricky to select your definitive list of the best hotels north of the border. Our guide to the best hotels in Scotland will enable you to select the perfect hotel whether you want to explore the highlands, taste Michelin starred cuisine, or simply treat your other half to a spot of retail therapy via a city break to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Best Hotels in Scotland for City Breaks

City breaks in Scotland generally mean a night or two in either Edinburgh or Glasgow, but let’s not forget Inverness, which has been thriving of late, or of course Aberdeen, Scotland’s third largest city.

Edinburgh Hotels

Edinburgh is awash with places to stay; from city centre boutique hotels to trendy B&Bs slightly further out where comfort and service are the name of the game.

• Prestonfield has long been a favourite with visitors to Edinburgh. It embodies country house grandeur and sophistication, yet is only five minutes from the Royal Mile and is perfect for those looking for a city bolthole that is glamorous and romantic.
• Slightly further down the budget scale, yet ideally located in the West End, the B+B Edinburgh is actually more like a private club than B&B: public areas feature Victorian wooden panelling, painted ceilings and walls covered with portraits of previous owners. The bedrooms by contrast are cool and contemporary in design and some have simply stunning views over the capital.
• 94DR is one of a growing number of “boutique” guesthouses, situated slightly further from the centre, but offering a quality product with the emphasis on personal service. It offers good sized rooms with luxury trappings, plus a breakfast to die for!
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    Prestonfield 23 rooms from $328

    Edinburgh (Priestfield Road)

    Opulent extravagance at the Prestonfield just 5 mins from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Come for attentive service, divine bedrooms and spoiling galore. Fine dining is served in an ultra romantic setting. The concierge have a 'nothing's too much' attitude. Best for a truly indulgent stay.

    Exclusive offer  -  Decadent Country House

    Romantic Break  -  This hotel oozes glammour, romance and seduction, with its wildly opulent canopied beds, rich fabrics and roaring fires.

    Local exploring  -  The best of both worlds- set in 20 acres of spectacular parklands, yet within spitting distance of Edinburgh.

    Great walks  -  Don't forget your welly boots, there are 20 acres of parkland to explore.

    Restrictions on children  -  Adults only

    Recommended by  -  Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Kiwi Collection

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    B+B Edinburgh 27 rooms from $98

    Edinburgh

    Roomy B&B in Edinburgh's West End. More like a private club or a boutique hotel, awash with Victorian character. Come for the exclusive feel without the exclusive prices and the brilliant central location.

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    94 DR 7 rooms from $104

    Edinburgh

    Boutique guest house on southside of Edinburgh, 10-15 mins walk to the centre but on bus route. Good size rooms with luxury trappings and fabulous breakfast. Great views of Arthur's Seat. Friendly, laid back.

    Recommended by  -  I Escape, Good Hotel Guide

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Best Hotels in Glasow

In Glasgow, despite the lively nightlife, designer shops and fabulous architecture, it is harder to get enthusiastic about a great deal of the hotels. Our current favourites are Blythswood Square and ABode Glasgow.

• Blythswood was converted from the Scottish institution that was the RAC club, it now offers stylish contemporary accommodation plus a luxury spa in the West End of town.
• The ABode Glasgow is the northern outpost of Michael Caines’ chain of affordable city hotels and has all the features you would expect: huge comfy beds, cashmere throws, plus great food!
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    Blythswood Square 100 rooms from $267

    Glasgow

    A luxury 5 star spa hotel in Glasgow's West End. Its landmark heritage creates an imposing facade. The contemporary interiors and wellness spa have all the modern comforts. The glorious penthouses and many private rooms are ideal for corporate or social entertaining. A chic choice.

    City Style  -  An elegant 5 star hotel in a great location, with red velvet alcoves and fringed lamp shades nodding to the square's shady past!

    Spa breaks  -  Indulge yourself at in the award-winning basement spa with mud chamber, sauna and extensive treatments.

    Suites  -  Also penthouses with private lift, terrace, bar, dining room, rooftop views

    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor pool

    Recommended by  -  Fodors, Good Hotel Guide

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    Abode, Glasgow 59 rooms from $240

    Glasgow

    A lovely Georgian townhouse that has been recently decorated to combine modern luxuries with with gorgeous period features. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel offers private dining, a conference suite and comfortable bedrooms. Tweed furnishings, large windows and high airy ceilings.

    City Style  -  Modern, revamped hotel in the middle of town

    Sights nearby  -  The Glengoyne Whiskey Distillery

    Great walks  -  Glasgow Botanic Gardens

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Inverness

If a trip further north is your thing, how about a break at the Rocpool Reserve in Inverness? This chic, modern townhouse hotel overlooks the river, features the Chez Roux restaurant (overseen by Albert Roux) and is a short walk from the castle and city centre.

Aberdeen

If Aberdeen is your destination, Marcliffe at Pitfodels is a grand hotel on the edge of town with elegant, spacious bedrooms, newly opened luxury spa and Conservatory restaurant specialising in seasonal local produce.

Hotels in Scotland for those on a budget

If luxury is not your style or simply out of your reach financially, our guide to the best hotels in Scotland can offer plenty of cheaper alternatives that don’t necessarily skimp on service or personal touch just because they’re not costing two arms and a leg.

• Craigatin House in Pitlochry offers a chic, adult’s only, bed and breakfast option. All rooms are individually designed, without even a splash of tartan! It is a brilliant choice if you want to enjoy the great outdoors with superb walking and fishing on the doorstep, plus culture in the form of Pitlochry’s well-reviewed Festival Theatre.
• Also in Perthshire the Victorian spa town of Crieff has the excellent Yann’s at Glenearn House – a restaurant with rooms – which is popular with locals and visitors alike. With the owners hailing from Chamonix, the theme is unashamedly French with vintage skis on the walls and a bistro style restaurant serving French classics alongside Savoyarde specialities such as pierrade and fondues.
• A few miles to the south the Barley Bree is another stylish restaurant with rooms, also with a French owner! The former coaching inn is located in the pretty conservation village of Muthill and boasts 2 AA Rosettes for its cuisine, plus six individually designed bedrooms. Both are ideal if golf is your game – it’s a short drive to Gleneagles, without having to mortgage your house for the stay!
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    Craigatin House 14 rooms from $128

    Pitlochry, Perthshire

    A chic bed and breakfast in the heart of Pitlochry, with Farrow & Ball interiors and a lovely garden. Stylish contemporary bedrooms. Beautifully converted living areas with glass walls. Hearty breakfasts set guests up for a day outdoors. An excellent base for exploring the local area.

    Value chic  -  A stylish and affordable base to return to after a day exploring the nearby castles, mountains and whisky distilleries.

    Great walks  -  Walk around Loch Faskally and through the Faskally Woods.

    Sights nearby  -  Visit Blair Castle just five miles from the property.

    Restrictions on children  -  No children allowed.

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

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    Yann’s at Glenearn House 6 rooms from $124

    Crieff, Perthshire

    Charming small restaurant-with-rooms in the centre of Crieff. Elegant bedrooms with large windows, feature wallpaper and spacious living areas. Excellent bistro styled french cuisine. A wonderful base to explore the local area.

    Back to Nature  -  A charming retreat in the heart of Perthshire, boasting stunning scenery and a host of outdoor pursuits.

    Great walks  -  Crieff has wonderful walking terrain, pack a lunch and head off for the day.

    Sights nearby  -  Visit Scotland's oldest distillery or Drummond Park Gardens.

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    Barley Bree 6 rooms from $124

    Crieff, Perthshire

    A charming restaurant with rooms in the heart of Perthshire. Contemporary rooms have simple clean design with gentle hues. The striking dining room, traditional in style, features a fireplace and exposed beams. An ideal base to enjoy country pursuits and excellent cuisine.

    Foodies  -  An award winning restaurant, in a charming traditional dining room, serving sumptious French cuisine from fresh local produce.

    Great walks  -  Numerous walks in the surrounding area through the stunning Perthshire countryside.

    Fishing  -  Coarse fishing, fly fishing and even sea angling all available nearby.

    Full of character

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

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Best Hotels for Foodies

Scotland’s reputation for its produce is well known: wonderful game, shellfish, beef and much more. There are now a growing number of establishments that are putting Scotland on the map not just for the standard of the produce, but also for the quality of the chefs that are using them. There an ever expanding number of Michelin starred eateries and many of the best hotels in Scotland offer top notch restaurants with AA rosettes to back up their claims; no longer do you have to equate Scottish cuisine with the deep fried mars bar.

• The Peat Inn has been a popular foodie haunt for years now and the standard seems to just get better. It is certainly off the beaten track, located in rural Fife, but is well worth the drive if delicious food and luxury suites are what you’re after. Plus St Andrews is just down the road for golfers or simply a blustery walk along the beach.
• Even more remote is The Albannach, with its beautiful position and breath-taking views over Lochinver Bay. It is the UK’s most northerly Michelin starred establishment and is well worth the trek if you’re looking for a spot of romantic seclusion with dramatic scenery plus luxury accommodation and outstanding food. Book the Byre suite and you’ll even get your own private terrace with hot tub from which to admire the local landscape.
• Kinloch Lodge on Skye is another foodie favourite. A short drive from the Skye Bridge, this 17th century former hunting lodge is the highland home of Lord Macdonald and his wife Claire (the food writer). It has a very relaxed home from home feel; rooms filled with family photos, warming log fires, and plates of home-made fudge if you can’t quite wait for the gourmet delights produced by head chef Marcello Tully.
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    The Peat Inn 8 rooms from $241

    St Andrews

    A Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away in rural Fife. Beautifully furnished rooms, calm ambiance, and delicious food.

    Secluded setting  -  For escaping.

    Views  -  Great views from hotel

    Recommended by  -  Fodors, Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

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    The Albannach Hotel 5 rooms from $502

    Highlands & Islands

    A charming country property in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands. Five rooms have been simply yet stylishly renovated with soft hues and modern bathrooms. Plays host to a fabulous Michelin-Starred restaurant (Scotland's most northern). Stunning rugged countryside to be explored. Magical.

    Foodies  -  Enjoy a 5 course dinner in the Michelin-Starred restaurant overlooking the surrounding mountains.

    Great walks  -  Testing hill climbs or less strenuous exploring around the coastal paths.

    Sailing  -  Boat trips to surrounding islands can be locally arranged.

    Views  -  Over the sea loch to the mountains beyond.

    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide

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    Kinloch Lodge, Skye 15 rooms from $284

    Isle of Skye

    Stunning scenery, dazzling food and plenty of peace and quiet just a short drive from the Skye Bridge. The elegant and traditional rooms are filled with natural light. A cosy sitting room with an open fireplace is the ideal spot to unwind with a whisky. Exceptional Michelin Star cuisine.

    Foodies  -  Foodies won't be able to resist the stunning Michelin Star restaurant- check out the taster menu with excellent wine pairings.

    Romantic Break  -  A picturesque south Skype romantic retreat offering excellent food, roaring fires, chic suites and long country walks.

    Great walks  -  Venture on a Wild Walk with resident naturalist Mitchell Partridge, packed lunches are provided on request.

    Fishing  -  The area won't dissapoint, keen anglers can fish for salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout.

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Best Hotels in Scotland for Getting Away from it all

Scotland is the ideal destination if a break away from it all is your holiday of choice. Drive an hour from the central belt and you can find yourself in the middle of nowhere with nothing but stunning scenery and wildlife for company. Journey even further and you can almost believe there’s no one else on earth but you!

Our favourite hotels in this category are certainly all remote, but some are slightly closer to the bright lights than others! Pool House is a romantic hideaway on the shores of Loch Ewe, about an hour and a half west of Inverness.

Family owned and managed it oozes charm and character and is bedecked with antiques and objets that have been collected from travels around the world. Pool House will suit anyone looking for a retreat with glorious views on Scotland’s unbeatable west coast.

Also in Wester Ross and not a million miles from the Pool House, you’ll find The Torridon, a country house hotel located on the shores of Loch Torridon. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and reached via 10 miles of single track roads, it will not disappoint.

You’ll be welcomed into the lap of luxury with sumptuously decorated bedrooms, award winning food and a whisky bar that’ll leave you speechless – not just through over-indulgence – it features over 350 different malts!

The Colonsay is an unpretentious retreat on the island of the same name. Built in 1750 as an inn for the locals, it remains very popular with both islanders and visitors. Colonsay is a tiny haven off the west coast and only accessible by ferry from either Oban or Islay.

The hotel enjoys a lovely position located on a hill above the harbour and has superb views over to neighbouring Jura. The feel is very laid back with comfy sofas, books and games, roaring log fires. There is certainly something for everyone here be it playing on the sandy beaches, spotting seals, fishing or simply a round of golf or game of tennis.

Best Hotels for pure luxury

Looking for sheer indulgence, then Scotland can certainly deliver. There are an increasing number of luxury hotels where one’s every whim is taken care of! Some of the best hotels in Scotland offer pampering and delights more usually expected from properties in the capital or certainly those closer to other forms of civilisation.

• The Balmoral flies the flag for luxury in Edinburgh. Part of the Rocco Forte stable, it is stylish and sophisticated with understated design by Olga Polizzi. Marry that with unbeatable service and Michelin starred dining and you end up with “THE” place to stay in the capital.
• Journey over to the west coast and you discover the Isle of Eriska, situated on its own island. It boasts golf course, luxury spa, award winning food and lavishly decorated rooms. For that something extra special, book one of the cottages or spa suites for their gardens with private hot tubs.
• Inverlochy Castle has been synonymous with super luxury for many years now and has a guest book full of famous names which bear this out. It is impressively grand and truly luxurious with service standards to match, plus Michelin starred food in dining rooms with furniture gifted by the King of Norway.
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    The Balmoral 168 rooms from $271

    Edinburgh

    Quietly confident, stylish, sophisticated and efficient.THE place to stay in Edinburgh. Part of Rocco Forte Collection and boasting a Michelin starred restaurant, comprehensive spa and over 150 bedrooms. The old railway hotel transformed into a grande dame. True indulgence.

    Sights nearby  -  Visit the nearby Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

    Great walks  -  Walk to the summit of Calton Hill and enjoy the panoramic views.

    Views  -  Wonderful city views towards Arthurs Seat.

    Swimming Pool  -  Indoor Pool

    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Fodors, Frommers, Kiwi Collection

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    Isle of Eriska 25 rooms from $449

    By Oban, Argyll

    An idiosyncratic and loveable private island resort and spa just off the western coast of Scotland. Antiques mix with contemporary interiors in this peaceful haven. Think cosy living rooms with roaring fires, Michelin star restaurant, luxurious suites and pampering spa. A remarkable rural retreat.

    Foodies  -  Foodies will love the eight course tasting menu at the Michelin starred restaurant, featuring local game and fish.

    Active Holiday  -  Make the most of the stunning location and indulge in fishing, sailing, rambling, canoeing, biking and golf.

    Sailing  -  Hire a luxury yacht for the day, the perfect way to explore the coast without getting your boots muddy!

    Great walks  -  Stroll round the island or climb one of the easily reached local munroes.

    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Good Hotel Guide, Relais & Chateaux

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    Inverlochy Castle 17 rooms from $436

    Fort William

    Elegance, romance and old-school service in sublime surroundings at the foot of Ben Nevis. Imposing rooms with heavy curtains, chintz wallpaper, antique paintings and four poster beds. The bathrooms are the height of modernity. A multi award winning restaurant. The perfect country getaway.

    Families  -  Plenty of kit for the kids indoors including games rooms, DVDs, playstation plus endless outdoor activities.

    Foodies  -  This fantastic restaurant has been awarded one Michelin Star and 3 AA Rosettes- utterly delicious!

    Fishing  -  Fishing in Loch Na Marag in the Castle grounds or salmon and trout fishing further afield.

    Great walks  -  Stunning scenery to be explored starting straight from the property.

    Recommended by  -  Johansens, Relais & Chateaux

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So whether a boutique Edinburgh B&B floats your boat or you’re looking for a remote retreat on the West Coast swathed in tartans, our selection of the best hotels in Scotland offers a comprehensive list of all that is good about this country of myriad landscapes, buzzing cities and rich cultural heritage.

For comprehensive hotel collections throughout Scotland check out our recommendations for Perthshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Argyll or the Highlands and Islands.

 

Written by Sarah Empson