Four Luxury Hotels In Scotland That I Love

I spent eight nights in Scotland and stayed in four luxury hotels. The not-so-high-tech photo of the map is the route of my trip and the name/location of each hotel. Each property has everything you’d expect from a hotel with four or five star ratings: nice furnishings, comfy bed, super soft linens, room service, fancy amenities etc.  ​

Here’s a brief summary of each hotel plus my favorite and least favorite bits. (Though I’m listing “least favorite bits” I’d absolutely stay in any of these hotels again and recommend them to anyone. I’m listing the price I paid per night in GBP (each included breakfast) just to give you an idea but keep in mind that I did go off season so prices were somewhat lower.)

Cameron House, Loch Lomond
When we got to Cameron House, my first sight was the beautiful Estate House and second was the seaplane docked right in front on Loch Lomond. Impressive, indeed! Inside the hotel feels rich but not in an “oh goodness, I didn’t pack an evening dress for dinner” kinda way. (I said that like I own an evening dress. Haha.)

My room was a “Feature King” (354 GBP) that was pretty spacious and completely comfortable. The shower in the bathroom was unlike any I’ve seen in a hotel before. It was very large and like a spa shower with a rainfall shower head and all that jazz but also had no step in or anything - it was flat with the floor and entirely open on the one side. (This was cool after I got over the fear of flooding the whole bathroom which may possibly then flow to the room and ultimately water damage the entire hotel.  :-))! 
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Favorite bits about Cameron House:

• the view of Loch Lomond from my room was gorgeous and peaceful
• mattress was really soft and comfortable
• mirrors in the shower and over the sink had large squares that were ‘steam proofed’ so, in the shower even with all the steam you can use the mirror (well, you can if you’re tall enough (I am not tall enough but still thought it was super fancy))
• location is perfect base for several day trips ​

Least favorite bits about Cameron House:

• lighting in the room was a bit dim
• cost to ride the seaplane is $$$ (it’s one set price so less if you have more passengers)
• hotel has multiple parts so can be confusing getting to room (especially after wee dram(s) of whisky)
• spa is a couple of miles down the road (but they do offer quick and regular shuttle)
• food at the restaurants didn’t seem up to par with hotel (other than Martin Wishart which was Delicious with a capitol D)
• Cameron House was the most expensive room but ranks number four on my list

Culloden House, Inverness
Culloden House presents itself at the end of a driveway and you have to stop and take a picture. It’s beautiful and if you’ve done any reading on the area (or watched Highlander) you appreciate its history on first sight.

I felt comfortable from the second I walked into Culloden House. They have a small staff and everything is nice but not formal. Perfect for me! 

I had the “Main Suite” King (200 GBP) room. Goodness gracious. This room was huge! It had a full (I mean an entire) living room and bathroom. Actually, now that I’m seeing the room in my mind it had a separate entrance from outside too. Then you walk up a few steps to the bedroom and off from the bedroom and down a few steps was another full bathroom. Everything about the room was comfortable. 

Favorite bits about Culloden House:

• everyone that works here is so very friendly and helpful
• the common spaces and rooms have period furniture so pieces are not the same (for instance, in my room, there was an armoire and a dressing table - the dressing table had a vintage mirror and brush set on it)
• location is fantastic for day trips
• amenities are L’occitane 
• kitchen makes a mean egg salad sandwich

Least favorite bits about Culloden House

• Nothing to report

Fonab Castle, Pitlochry 
It was raining when I got to Fonab Castle and the entrance to the hotel is on the side of the building so I didn’t get any first impressions of the grounds really. However, the bellman was wearing a full kilt outfit when he helped with the luggage. That made me smile. Inside Fonab Castle is also rich looking - dark wood staircase and nice everything. 

I had a “Castle Room” King (200 GBP). The room was spacious and extremely comfortable. And, they had a really good welcome plate with various chocolates in a fancy cellophane wrap. Yummy!

Favorite bits about Fonab Castle:

• view from the bar was beautiful 
• windows open so you can get fresh air
• the bell staff were very helpful & friendly

Least favorite bits about Fonab Castle:

• breakfast was included and I got delivered to my room (for additional 5 GBP); my order was incorrect and late (too late to get another) and no one was bothered by it, except me

G&V Royal Mile, Edinburgh
G&V was my favorite hotel! It’s cool but not so hip that I felt out of place; the staff are all so friendly; (on that note, the hotel does not have a separate concierge but each front desk person is also a concierge) and the room was fun and artsy. If you're in Edinburgh goodness you should stay here!

G&V Royal Mile is in Old Town and conveniently located to just about everything. You can walk from G&V to Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral, Palace of Holyroodhouse, New Town and countless other sites, restaurants and museums. 

I had a “Deluxe” King (266.33 GBP) (reservation included a 100 GBP food credit).

Favorite bits about G&V:

• plug was close enough to bathroom that you can dry/fix your hair using the bathroom mirror
• mini bar in room is complimentary
• rain shower/heated tile bathroom floor
• cool black bathrobes
• absolutely everything!

Least favorite bits about G&V:

• Nothing to report :)

I loved Scotland and if you're planning a trip and have any questions - shoot me an email and I'll answer if I can or reach out to my new friends across the pond for information!