When most people think of luxury hotels in Scotland they think of Gleneagles in Perthshire, the Balmoral in Edinburgh and Cameron House on Loch Lomond. And that’s about it. But there are plenty of other luxury hotels in Scotland, offering extremely comfortable accommodation in stunning countryside. Here’s a selection.
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Roxburghe Hotel
The Roxburghe Hotel (Kelso, Roxburghshire T. 01573 450331, bed and breakfast from £99 per person per night) is a stunning historic house in the Scottish Borders. It’s part of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s estate and is set in extensive grounds – it even has its own championship golf course. The hotel has just 22 rooms, all of which are tastefully furnished in a traditional style that fits with the house. Guests who really want to treat themselves should book a room with a four-poster bed. The hotel is a short drive from the town of Kelso, on the edge of which is Floors Castle, the Duke of Roxburgh’s family seat. It’s an enormous stately home and worth a visit – even if just to see the paintings, which include a watercolour by JMW Turner.
Ardanaiseig Hotel
Set on the shores of Loch Awe, Ardanaiseig (Kilchrenan, by Taynuilt, T. 01866 833833, bed and breakfast from £104 per person per night) is an ivy-clad Victorian house that makes the ideal romantic getaway. There’s nothing else nearby so it’s wonderfully quiet, and there’s an excellent restaurant too. The rooms in the main house are comfortable and traditionally furnished, but the most stunning accommodation is in the Boat Shed. This is just what it says, a former boat house, but it has been converted into a gorgeous contemporary retreat. There’s a small kitchen area, so guests can even cook for themselves if they wish, and the views of the lake are glorious. It’s the sort of place that is hard to leave – and ideal for honeymooners. Ardanaiseig could be reached in under 2 hours by car from Glasgow.
Kilcamb Lodge Hotel
Few luxury hotels in Scotland are more remote than Kilcamb Lodge (Strontian, Argyll, T. 01967 402257, dinner, bed and breakfast from £239 per room, based on 2 sharing). It’s in the west, on the shores of Loch Sunart, near the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. The staff are excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed and the food – much of which is locally sourced – is delicious. The décor in the rooms is a combination of plush and cosy, which is appropriate for these wild surroundings. It’s lovely to stroll on the loch shore before dinner – dogs are welcome here and they absolutely love it too. The atmosphere is extraordinarily peaceful and there are great opportunities for wildlife watching: otters and eagles both inhabit this corner of Scotland.
Whether in the rolling Scottish Borders or the wild Ardnamurchan Peninsula, there is sure to be a luxury hotel in Scotland offering gloriously comfortable accommodation and delicious fresh food. Some, like Ardanaiseig above, are so romantic that it’s hard to leave.
Golf Vacation Hotel in Scotland
St. Andrews, in the East Neuk of Fife, is many golfers’ favorite vacation spots in Scotland. St. Andrews attracts golf buffs from all over the world, and no wonder; the rolling hills, the amazing vistas, and the long history of golf in Scotland culminate most wonderfully in this part of the country. Golf, after all, got its start here. The Fairmont St. Andrews is a 5-star golf hotel with enough other luxury features to satisfy the pickiest traveler. A stay at the Fairmont St. Andrews helps make for a perfect golf vacation in Scotland.
Fairmont St Andrews Luxury Golf Hotel
The rooms – The 209 rooms at the Fairmont St. Andrews are large, with comfortable bedding and recently renovated, lovely bathrooms. Business conventions are often held at this hotel, and each room is set up with dual phone lines, US to UK outlet plugs and wireless internet. There is a charge for wi-fi, but this is easily circumvented by joining the Fairmont President’s Club. It’s free to join, and allows for free internet at any Fairmont Hotel.
The restaurants – There are four restaurants here, each featuring both contemporary Scottish fare and international cuisine. The favorite and most elegant is Esperante. The setting is romantic and meals here are a leisurely, adult affair. Esperante is the best restaurant in the Fairmont hotel; reservations are recommended. Kittocks Den is a bar restaurant with superior food of the bar variety. Service may be slow here, if only because the bartenders are so friendly and joke around with hotel guests. The Atrium is, as the name implies, an airy, open area. Traditional Scottish tea is a delight here,and light meals are ideal for lunch. Last, the Clubhouse Restaurant is a few hundred yards away from the main hotel, offering great views of the golf courses and sea. Golfers like to come to the Clubhouse after a round of golf, to relax in an informal setting and go over their game.
The spa – The Fairmont St. Andrews Spa and Health Club offers pampering spa treatments in a relaxing setting. Unfortunately, the Spa and Health Club are due for renovation, and Luxury Travel was unable to truly get a feel for the Fairmont spa experience during a visit. There is a gorgeous indoor heated pool, however, and a gym with traditional weights and cardiovascular equipment.
The golf courses – Scotland’s rich golfing heritage is evident at the Fairmont St. Andrew’s two world-class golf courses. The Torrance was designed by Sam Torrance to be a 7,037 yard, par-72 course with cliff-side holes (the sea is quite a water hazard!) mild elevation changes and gorgeous views of the St. Andrews skyline. This is a walking course. The Devlin course at the hotel was designed by Bruce Devlin to be more challenging; a golf cart may be desired, and the cart path helps golfers enjoy a game no matter what the weather may be. The Devlin course is a 7,049 yard, par-72 course with views of the coastline and some seriously challenging elevation changes along the fairway. Hotel guests can make use of the Clubhouse, which has full PGA facilities and a driving and practice range – as well as the Clubhouse Restaurant.
The Fairmont St. Andrews is one of Scotland’s premier golf hotels. Its large size, quality restaurants and luxury amenities complement the hotel’s golf courses perfectly. When renovations are complete, it is sure to become one of the world’s best 5-star golf hotels.
