Best Hotels in Scotland

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.

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.

The Green Park Hotel is a 4 star hotel located at Clunie Bridge Road in Scottish Highlands. It has a 5.0 overall guest rating based on 696 reviews.

Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland is a 5 star hotel. It has a 4.5 overall guest rating based on 2042 reviews.

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.

Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Island is a 5 star hotel located at Benderloch in Scottish Highlands. It has a 4.5 overall guest rating based on 725 reviews.

The Dunstane Houses provides a luxurious Edinburgh oasis that blends classic Scottish charm with modern amenities. This family-run hotel offers a breath of fresh air for guests used to the sometimes impersonal service at larger chain hotels. Comprising two Victorian houses (Dunstane House and Hampton House), this boutique hotel boasts 35 rooms and suites, each thoughtfully decorated and equipped with en suite bathrooms, handmade beds, coffee and tea facilities, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access and complimentary homemade shortbread. Although many past visitors wished the accommodations were larger, guests were elated by the free on-site parking and 24-hour room service. Each morning, the hotel's Ba' Bar offers a full breakfast spread featuring Scottish favorites such as sausages and black pudding, haggis and scones. The bar also provides all-day a la carte dining and has a wide selection of spirits, even providing whisky and gin tasting experiences. Recent guests raved about the service in the restaurant as well as throughout the property, saying the staff made the hotel feel like home. The hotel sits about 2 miles west of the Old Town and the Edinburgh Castle, and there are bus stops nearby.

The Bonham is a 5 star hotel located at 35 Drumsheugh Gardens in Edinburgh. It has a 4.5 overall guest rating based on 1818 reviews.

This smoke-free hotel features 4 restaurants, 2 indoor pools, and a full-service spa. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Additionally, a golf course, 2 bars/lounges, and a health club are onsite.

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.

Situated on the cobbled streets of Edinburgh's Old Town, The Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh boasts a prime location and striking views of Arthur's Seat. The best attractions of Edinburgh are steps away from the hotel: Guests can walk to Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions or the Scotch Whisky Experience within five minutes. Prior guests note the ideal location and Scottish decor make the hotel feel more like a boutique than a chain, although Radisson Rewards members can still earn and redeem points by choosing to stay here. Visitors at the hotel can choose from a variety of standard rooms, family rooms and suites. All accommodations come with coffee and tea facilities, flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi access and free bottled water. When it comes to on-site dining, this Radisson Collection Hotel boasts an Italian restaurant called Cucina as well as the Epicurean bar with a wide selection of Scotch whisky. The hotel also hosts afternoon tea, in true Scottish fashion. However, previous guests warn that the service can be slow in the hotel's bars and restaurants.

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.

Dakota Deluxe Glasgow is a 4 star hotel located at 179 West Regent Street in Glasgow. It has a 5.0 overall guest rating based on 1873 reviews.

InterContinental Edinburgh The George has played a part in the city's history since 1881. The property's charming architecture and prime location in New Town have lured many famous faces over the years, from 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns to actress Elizabeth Taylor. Five townhouses on George Street comprise the hotel, which positions guests about a half-mile north of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and other city attractions. Guests can choose from a range of accommodation types, such as an urban double or a one-bedroom suite, and each cozy room comes with free Wi-Fi access, a smart TV, a fully stocked minibar, and tea and coffee facilities. Past travelers enjoyed the hotel's classic Scottish elegance and the convenient city center location, but some noted small accommodations and a lack of air conditioning as drawbacks. The hotel's signature restaurant, The Printing Press, acknowledges the many authors and poets who visited the hotel throughout history by using vintage typewriters and Scottish novels as decor. The restaurant serves roast duck, aged beef, smoked haggis, a selection of puddings and other Scottish dishes. Those looking for a nightcap ought to swing by the bar, which stays open late and offers a wide variety of whisky, gin, beer and signature cocktails. What's more, IHG Rewards Club members will be happy to know they can earn and redeem points at this location.

The Chester Residence is a 5 star hotel located at 9 Rothesay Place in Edinburgh. It has a 5.0 overall guest rating based on 2197 reviews.