Best Hotels in Scotland

Attached to the Edinburgh Waverley train station, this central Edinburgh hotel sits within walking distance of must-visit sights like the National Museum of Scotland and the Scotch Whisky Experience. The hotel is located inside a historic building known for its large clock tower, and accommodations have chic touches like modern wooden furnishings and marble bathrooms with James Bond movie prints. Minibars, complimentary Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs are also provided in all rooms, while larger suites come with personalized concierge services, one garment pressing and daily breakfast. For meals, guests have two restaurants to choose from: Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux and Number One. The Michelin-starred Number One restaurant serves Scottish cuisine while Brasser Prince offers French dishes throughout the day. Four bars and lounges, ten meeting rooms and a spa with a Finnish sauna, a fitness center and an indoor lap pool are available to guests as well. Overall, recent lodgers enjoyed their stays at The Balmoral, although some felt their rooms were small and pricey. However, most travelers were impressed with Scotch's selection of whiskies and Palm Court's afternoon tea service.

While this St. Andrews, Scotland, resort no doubt caters to golfers, recent guests say you don’t have to golf to enjoy all that the Old Course Hotel has to offer. While guests rave about The Duke’s (the on-site golf course), but many say that the five-star customer service is just as memorable. From arrival to departure, travelers say the gleeful staff members made them feel incredibly welcome and taken care of, and that no request was ever too much. Another standout for guests was the hotel’s accommodations, which come equipped with comforts like complimentary Wi-Fi access, minibars, flat-screen TVs and robes and slippers. Lodgers highly recommend upgrading to a suite, which includes more room, separate seating areas, mini kitchens and views of the golf course. For those who didn’t come to play the links, you can book a treatment at the on-site spa, work up a sweat at the fitness center or take a dip in the on-site pool and Jacuzzi.   Outdoor adventures, like horseback riding on the beach, are also available. Dining options range from white fine dining at Road Hole Restaurant to comfort food at Hams Hame. You can find the Old Course Hotel just a short walk northwest of the center of St. Andrews. 

If you want a taste of Old World Scotland during your visit to Edinburgh, then the Prestonfield House is your Shangri-La. The Prestonfield is housed in a 17th-century baroque-style mansion situated among manicured gardens at the base of Arthur's Seat, creating the illusion that you're vacationing in the countryside instead of one of Scotland's biggest cities. Venture inside the hotel and you'll find that the rooms are a hideaway all their own. Accommodations, which are decorated with antique furniture, velvet bedding and heavy draperies, resemble the kind of interiors found in a palace all while staying up to date with accoutrements like free Wi-Fi access, smart TVs and loaner laptops. Add to that a croquet lawn, an 18-hole golf course, 24-hour porters, complimentary shoeshines and a helicopter landing pad on-site and it's hard not to feel a bit like royalty when staying at this five-star establishment. Aside from the amenities, previous lodgers gushed about the hotel's superb staff, as well as the fare served at the on-site Rhubarb restaurant. Though the property lacks a gym or a pool and is 2 miles southeast of the city center, the Prestonfield received mostly positive reviews from recent guests.

This centrally located Edinburgh hotel earns high marks for making guests feel at home, and travelers say this is largely attributed to the Waldorf's remarkable service. Numerous guests gave major kudos to the staff for their genuinely welcoming manner and super attentive attitudes. Not only that, but they're known to go the extra mile for special occasions. The Waldorf's comfy rooms were another attribute that made guests' experiences quite homey (all while maintaining the elegance Waldorf Astorias are known for). All accommodations have Nespresso coffee machines, flat-screen TVs, bathrobes and slippers, minibars and Salvatore Ferragamo bath products. If it’s in your budget, lodgers highly recommend booking a room facing the castle. In addition to luxurious in-room amenities, the hotel features a gym, spa and childrens menus at the restaurants. The hotel has two restaurants – The Pompadour by Galvin offers fine dining and Galvin Brasserie De Luxe is slightly more casual – and The Caley Bar offers a variety of cocktails. Travelers recommend getting breakfast or afternoon tea at the Peacock Alley lounge, though others wished the hotel had a pool. There is also plenty to explore within walking distance of the hotel – including Edinburgh’s biggest landmark, the Edinburgh Castle – but it's also just a short stroll away from Princes Street, a thoroughfare flush with shopping, dining and nightlife options.

The Blythswood Square Hotel resides in Glasgow, Scotland, near various restaurants and bars and city attractions like the City Chambers, Glengoyne Distillery and King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, making it a great option for sightseers and partygoers. But this hotel offers more than a prime location. Inside, you'll find a 10,000-square-foot spa with two relaxation pools and a crystal steam room, as well as a fitness center, a private screening room and two restaurants – The Salon and The Restaurant at Blythswood Square. Both are decked out in Harris Tweed furnishings and serve Scottish-inspired cuisine. After getting your fill of local fare, retreat to your guest room or suite. Each features a neutral color scheme with pink or purple accents, plus amenities like a desk, free Wi-Fi access and a marble bathroom. Overall, previous guests enjoyed their stays at this five-star property, citing the "welcoming" staff and "relaxing" spa as highlights. Visitors also loved the hotel's afternoon tea service, which is available every day in The Salon. However, several bemoaned the worn, minimally appointed rooms.

Nestled approximately 40 miles northwest of Edinburgh on 850 acres of Scotland's lush countryside, Gleneagles Hotel has welcomed guests since 1924. Dedicated to protecting its surroundings without skimping on amenities, the resort features 20 protected natural habitats alongside three championship golf courses, an ESPA-affiliated spa, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a family pool and an adults-only pool, an equestrian school and 14 specialty shops. Inside the property's main building, guests will find 232 guest rooms and suites with traditional Scottish tartan decor – which some describe as "beautiful" but others say is worn and in need of updating – and modern conveniences like free Wi-Fi, minifridges and televisions with DVD players. For additional square footage, upgrade to one of the hotel's Family Rooms (where there's space for pull-out sofas or extra beds) or suites (which feature separate sitting rooms). All room rates cover daily breakfast in The Strathearn restaurant and on-site activities like fitness classes, lawn croquet, stable tours and games and art projects in the teens and kids clubs. When you've worked up an appetite, recent guests recommend grabbing a bite at the Mediterranean-inspired Deseo or savoring gourmet French-Scottish fusion fare at the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant. Part of The Leading Hotels of the World, the property participates in the Leaders Club loyalty program.