Say the word Scotland and one is likely to conjure images of men in kilts playing bagpipes atop desolated moors. With centuries of culture and civilization, there is simply no lack of entertainment in this nation. Historian buffs can explore Scotland’s sixteenth-century past at Stirling Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or admire the historic symbol of progress, Edinburgh Castle. The adventurous can try catching the folklore monster at Loch Ness or conquer Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Navis. One’s visit is also not complete without stopping by the picturesque Isle of Skyes, the stunning Luskentyre beach, and Scotland’s cultural capital, Inverness. More importantly, Scotland is extremely tourist-friendly and houses some of the best luxury hotels to enrich your traveling experience. Read on to learn more about some of the best luxury hotels in Scotland, UK.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to luxury services and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.
1. Kimpton - Blythswood Square Hotel, Greater Glasgow (from USD 301)
The former home of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, the Kimpton - Blythswood Square Hotel is renowned for its historic architecture dating back to 1823. An award-winning restaurant bar and restaurants sit in a former ballroom with vaulted ceilings with luxury rooms above equipped with complimentary bathrobes, a digital television, an mp3 system, and a marble bathroom for pleasing aesthetics. Tourists are free to enjoy afternoon tea in The Salon while overlooking Glasgow city centre or relax at its on-site spa facility which offers rejuvenating treatment massages and a relaxing lounge among other amenities to drain your worries away.
Kimpton - Blythswood Square Hotel, an IHG Hotel
Address: 11 Blythswood Square
34.92 km (21.7 mi) from Stirling Castle
2. Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, Edinburgh (from USD 487)
High-end pricing with additional costs for room upgrades and breakfast.
Lovely spa, Nespresso machine in rooms, and beautiful historic architecture.
Exceptional central location near major tourist attractions and historic sites.
Excellent breakfast, tasty capsules in Nespresso machine, and a beautiful dining room.
Beyond offering stunning panoramic vies of the Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Old Town, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian also houses the first of its kind Guerlain Spa which is reputable for its series of therapeutic treatments and facilities. This spa facility is in addition to the stunning selection of amenities on-site which include an award-winning restaurant, Grazing by Mark Greenaway, a massive swimming pool, and avant-garde gym facilities. Once a part of Edinburgh’s central railway station, this Caledonian luxury hotel now houses luxurious rooms containing flat-screen televisions with designer bathrooms decked out in complimentary bathrooms and toiletries. To put the cherry on top, Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Old Town can be reached within a 20-minute walk.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
Address: Princes Street
49.76 km (31.0 mi) from Stirling Castle
3. Old Course Hotel St Andrews, St. Andrews (from USD 662)
For the unmoored beauty of Scotland’s sandy shores, Old Course Hotel St Andrew is the optimal choice. With curated views of West Sands Beach and the Links Golf Course, rooms at Old Course Hotel St Andrew are uniquely designed to reflect character while providing maximum comfort. Some top-graded amenities provided include flat-screen televisions, complimentary bathrooms, and WiFi. One of its most impressive features is its series of award-winning restaurants that feature over 200 whiskies and freshly caught seafood to provide guests with a hearty feast. The hotel also has a large swimming pool, a fitness centre and an on-site spa treatment centre with a plethora of treatments to alleviate daily stresses and pains guests may face.
Old Course Hotel St Andrews
Address: Old Station Rd
74.28 km (46.2 mi) from Stirling Castle
4. The Scotsman Hotel, Edinburgh (from USD 1716)
Great value for money with modern, well-decorated rooms.
Charming hotel with a lovely bar, complimentary hot chocolate, and feature suite with a view.
Perfectly situated in the Old Town, between the Royal Mile and the New Town.
Delicious and complete breakfast, with friendly staff and attentive service.
Once the headquarters of Scotsman newspaper in 1905, The Scotsman Hotel is now a newly transformed luxurious accommodation with suites carefully designed for comfort. Some of its impressive features include curved corner window bays, marble-tiled en suite bathrooms, Egyptian cotton linen, and a complimentary Scotsman Newspaper. Most importantly, these luxurious rooms are privy to unobstructed views of Carlton Hill, Princes Street Gardens, and Waverley Station. In-house entertainment is also readily available at The Scotsman Hotel’s most famous hallmark, the 48-seat cinema which boasts an impressive selection of films to choose from. 24-hour room service is also accessible via a privacy hatch in the room. Drivers will be pleased to know that the hotel offers discounted parking for its long-term residents at Edinburgh Waverley Station car park on New Street.
The Scotsman Hotel
Address: 20 North Bridge
50.77 km (31.6 mi) from Stirling Castle
5. Cromlix, Stirlingshire (from USD 589)
For a truly immersive experience of Scotland’s woodlands and gardens, one has to stay in Cromlix. The luxurious hotel is currently owned by tennis superstar Andy Murray and offers all the necessary facilities to curate a relaxing vacation: massive tennis courts, a loch for fishing, and a full Scottish breakfast served to order each morning with the local signature smoked salmon. Other on-site activities include archery, billiard, a falconry display, and in-room spa treatments to drain the daily stresses away. The same high level of comfort is extended indoors with the exquisitely decorated rooms of Cromlix that feature an en suite bath or showers, a flat-screen television, and an iPod docking station. The hotel even boasts open log fires to enhance the farm stay experience. As an additional perk, the cathedral city of Dunblane and its eighteen-hole golf course are just a twelves minute drive away.
Cromlix
Address: near Dunblane
14.73 km (9.2 mi) from Stirling Castle
6. Dakota Glasgow (from USD 243)
Right at the heart of Glasgow, Dakota Glasgow is a stunning hotel featuring 83 splendorous rooms (including 11 suites) that are equipped with smart television and contemporary en-suite bathrooms with monsoon showers and toiletries. Its on-site restaurant, The Grill is well known among locals for its signature menu and brasserie-style service. Beyond its impressive menus, guests are free to sip on crafted cocktails of their choice at the dedicated Champagne Room while admiring the city nightscape. Given the hotel’s proximity to the town, one can also easily walk a few miles to visit cultural icons in the city, the Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, and the King’s Theatre. It’s a perfectly fitting accommodation for the arts-inclined.
Dakota Glasgow
Address: 179 West Regent Street
35.02 km (21.8 mi) from Stirling Castle
7. Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness (from USD 167)
Affordable rates for a stunning location and excellent service.
Dog-friendly, swimming pool, and a wide selection of single malt whiskies.
Conveniently located near town center with beautiful views of the River and Castle.
Enjoy a buffet breakfast and a pleasant dining experience with helpful staff.
There is a reason behind Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa’s massive popularity besides its convenient proximity from River Ness - the quality of its service and facilities is truly impeccable. This grandiose hotel not only offers complimentary use of its swimming pool, leisure club, spa, and parking, but each of its unique en-suite rooms contains a flat-screen television, tea/coffee-making facilities with private bathrooms for utmost comfort. Most significantly, Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa promises an idyllic cottage residence with the accommodation being either Victorian properties or garden cottage throughout. To further enhance this meditative experience, one can choose to wine and dine at any of the three on-site restaurants that serve delicious dishes reflective of Scottish history and traditions. Definitely too good of a hotel to miss.
Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa
Address: 8 Ness Walk
151.45 km (94.2 mi) from Stirling Castle
8. Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee (from USD 93)
Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa promises a refreshing break from the daily hectic life through its stylish decor and luxurious facilities. Some of these famous facilities include a Japanese-themed spa with a hydrotherapy hot tub and a contemporary restaurant with window tables to curate the perfect romantic ambience. Rooms at this spacious abode are well-decorated in shades of mustard yellow and orange and furnished with modern amenities including an en-suite bathroom with a power shower and an LCD television. With plenty of restaurants and boutique shops outlining the hotel’s doorstep, it is hard to resist the charms of this chic hotel, especially with its proximity to the world-famous St Andrews golf course. It’s a hotel guaranteed to be worth every penny.
Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa
Address: 1 West Victoria Dock Road
71.33 km (44.4 mi) from Stirling Castle
9. Glenapp Castle, South Ayrshire (from USD 624)
Luxurious 5-star experience with attention to detail and exceptional service.
Immaculate grounds, beautiful gardens, and a wide variety of activities available.
Stunning and peaceful location, ideal for a relaxing break and leisurely exploration.
Exceptional dining experiences with delicious food and an extensive wine list.
Ever dreamt of living in a fairytale? Glenapp Castle will make that childhood dream a reality. Surrounded by 36 acres (14.6 hectares) of gardens and woodland, this five-star South Ayrshire hotel houses an award-winning restaurant with gourmet six-course dining and an indulgent afternoon tea. That is not all. All rooms and suites at Glenapp Castle are designed for maximum comfort and have a list of luxurious amenities including flat-screen television, a work desk, a safe and an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. Each room also opens up to gorgeous views of either the sea or the gardens for a truly immersive experience in nature.
Glenapp Castle
Address: Ayrshire
132.82 km (82.6 mi) from Stirling Castle
10. The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh (from USD 498)
Luxurious with higher than usual 5-star pricing, worth the setting and incredible staff.
Traditional, spacious, and stylish rooms, impeccable room service, valet assistance, and a beautiful building.
Perfectly located in Edinburgh, convenient to famous attractions, and seeped in tradition.
Wonderful dining experiences with lovely food, a 7-course taster meal, and excellent breakfast, though slightly substandard in some cases.
Quality is found in spades at The Balmoral Hotel. Not only does it have a Michelin-starred restaurant, a massive outdoor pool, and modern gym facilities, but it also offers magnificent views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. Rooms at this opulent establishment are decked in the finest materials and amenities which include the spacious marble bathroom and the interactive smart television. With a century’s worth of experience in service, the hotel also houses an on-site spa facility containing a sauna and a Turkish steam room. This five-star accommodation even has its own clock tower as a tribute to Scotland’s splendid architecture. Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s shopping district, The Balmoral Hotel is certainly not one to miss out upon when travelling to Scotland’s hilly capital, Edinburgh.
The Balmoral Hotel
Address: 1 Princes Street
50.61 km (31.5 mi) from Stirling Castle
Luxury waits at the tip of your fingers
Scotland is a country of unrivalled beauty and is home to many impressive monuments that have witnessed the test of time. Its cosmopolitan nature and respect for past traditions make it entirely irresistible to the average tourist, especially with the barrage of luxurious accommodations within its borders. Why hesitate when luxury awaits? Click on any of the hotels above and enjoy an unforgettable experience in the land of Scotland.
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