Scotland is one of the four countries that comprise the United Kingdom and the most northerly of the Union. It is a land famous for its beautiful highlands, castles, rivers, and lochs. Moreover, this is the ancestral home of golf with splendid courses as famous as Scottish whisky that was first distilled here in the 11th century.
Scotland has a rich cultural and sporting heritage with many yearly events for visitors to enjoy. The legendary Loch Ness Monster (Nessie) is its most renowned inhabitant.
If you plan a trip to Scotland this summer, here are five of the best hotels you should not miss out on.
Inverlochy Castle
This country house hotel is a 19th-century castle close to the ruins of the original built-in the 13th century. Queen Victoria said of it, “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.” The hotel nestles in a lush green area below Ben Nevis and the Glencoe Mountains, where winter skiing is possible.
Loch Oich also glints nearby, where you can enjoy whitewater rafting and several watersports. Moreover, walking, hiking, climbing, and biking are some of the other activities possible here. The town of Fort William is also a short distance from the hotel with world-class golfing facilities.
17 rooms and suites are richly decorated and draped in ornate style with gorgeous color schemes, plaids, stripes, and rosy flower patterns. Deep beds have thick quilts and fine Egyptian cotton bed linen. Additionally, big windows offer fine views of the Scottish scenery.
Bathrooms are lavish with tubs, showers, and luxury toiletries. Rooms feature TVs disguised as mirrors, internet access, and radio. Furthermore, Swanky dining is under the direction of Michel Roux Jr in 3 gorgeous restaurants. A beautiful hotel amid fabulous scenery.
The Fife Arms
A former Victorian hunting lodge and coaching inn in the historic village of Braemar and within the Cairngorms Mountains National Park. The hotel is in a beautiful scenic area with the royal summer residence of Balmoral close by from where the Royal Family attends the Braemar Games. Moreover, hugely romantic architecture features multi-gabled roofing with many chimney smokestacks, pink and grey granite, original sash windows, and timber bargeboards.
Lavish ornate interiors have been redesigned and revamped recently but recall the style of a previous age. The 46 rooms and suites have Victorian décor with modern touches and fine contemporary art pieces. Themes that recall former VIP guests feature rich colors, dark carved wood, plaid patterns, plush rugs, and fine views.
Additionally, bathrooms are deluxe, and rooms have many modern amenities. Dining is first-rate with upscaled traditional British/Scottish fare from local produce available in lavish dining rooms. Besides, a vast range of Scottish whiskies and real ales are available in the bars.
The hotel also has a spa. Moreover, the concierge facilities will help arrange the sightseeing and many activities available in this area of natural beauty.
Cromlix
Close to Dunblane, the birthplace of tennis star Andy Murray, this former grand country house was bought/refurbished by the multi-champion, celebrating returning to home ground. This handsome building is now a 5-star boutique 15-bed hotel standing in extensive grounds of private woodlands and gardens.
Sumptuous drawing/living rooms have rich, warm colors and feature plush seating, wood paneling, ornate fireplaces, and fine lighting. Rooms and suites (and gatehouse accommodation) are named by Andy after famous Scottish notables. They boast antique furniture, art pieces, luxurious bedding, and modern amenities.
Bathrooms are also very swish, featuring standalone hand-painted tubs in silver, gold, and copper and Penhaligon luxury toiletries. Besides, all rooms have TVs, internet and radio. Dining is top-notch, boasting a Chez Roux restaurant under the direction of legendary chef Albert Roux and served in an elegant glass conservatory setting.
Activities include tennis (of course!), golf, fishing, archery, and snooker indoors. Furthermore, Stirling Castle, hills, lochs, and forests are all around the area for visitors to enjoy.
Fairmont St Andrews
Situated in 520 acres of coastal scenery, this 5-star luxury hotel complex is just 2 miles from the world-famous St Andrews Championship Golf Course. Other golfing facilities are on the estate that stretches across clifftops to St Andrews Castle, the bay and the bracing North Sea, and Tay Estuary.
Moreover, fabulous interiors are contemporary and plush with a magnificent atrium and room-wide lighting feature. There are also lounges with warm, inviting fireplaces and gracious corridors.
Rooms and suites are spacious, elegant, contemporary, and luxurious with comfortable deluxe bedding/seating and Scottish tartan fabrics. Floor-to-ceiling windows also have lovely views and let in natural light to the rooms. Additionally, the marble bathrooms are luxurious, with soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers.
In-room amenities include satellite TV, Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machines, and refreshment centers. Luxury villas are also available. Dining is top-notch multi-choice, including traditional lavish afternoon tea in the atrium lounge. Moreover, fine Steaks and local seafood are available in the upscaled St Andrews Bar and Grill room, or the Italian classic cuisine option is La Cucina.
Fairmont also boasts a full-size swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, and a luxury spa with 10 treatment rooms and top-name preparations. This is truly a luxurious hotel amid stunning coastal scenery.
Greywalls Hotel and Chez Roux
Overlooking the world-famous Muirfield Championship Golf Course, renowned architect Edwin Lutyens designed this elegant grand Edwardian country house. The hotel benefits from magnificent views across East Lothian and the Firth of Forth. It also has delightful gardens attributed to the celebrated designs of Gertrude Jekyll.
Interiors are recreated in the lavish country house style of the era, stuffed with antique furniture, plush sofas, and seating and objets d’art. Accommodation is in 17 peaceful rooms and suites or self-contained cottages.
Moreover, every room has gorgeous fabrics, ornate fireplaces, antique furniture, en-suite luxury bathrooms, and modern amenities. Top-class dining is in 4 lovely rooms under the direction of master chef Albert Roux.
What’s more, whiskies and wines here are highly notable, and afternoon teas legendary. The Greywalls and Chez Roux is a beautiful hotel for golfers and all visitors to Scotland.
Scotland is a country of warm people, beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, fine architecture. It’s also home to historic cities, golf, whisky, and fantastic food – an unmissable place to visit.
Guido Graf is Founder of Privateupgrades. Privateupgrades is a global luxury travel club with over 20 years of experience in luxury hotels, ensuring exclusive VIP privileges like upgrades, free breakfast, free nights, rate discounts, free airport transfers, free massages and much more.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
