Sometimes the personal touch is just what’s needed to make your stay somewhere extra special. Boutique hotels can deliver all the luxurious extras you desire whilst thanks to their smaller size, ensure a top notch service. Fewer guests means a more tailored experience for you. We’ve scoured Scotland to seek out our favourite luxury boutique hotels all across the land. From a converted family farmhouse near Loch Lomond to an urban Victorian delight in Glasgow’s West End, these boutique hotels deliver on all counts.
Monachyle Mhor
The 18th century farmhouse has been lovingly turned into a stylish hotel nestled in The Trossachs National Park not far from Loch Lomond. Run by award-winning chef Tom Lewis, Monachyle Mhor has quickly become a one-stop boutique destination in beautiful Perthshire. The hotel overlooks Loch Doine and Loch Voil and is just along the glen from Scottish hero Rob Roy’s grave – the building has in fact been painted pink to show its occupants were, like Rob Roy, Jacobite sympathisers. Inside, the building is contemporary, comfortable with a touch of the avant-garde. Rooms are quite urban – modern art hangs on walls painted in cool greens and greys, furniture and lighting is funky with the odd traditional nod with wood burning stoves and decorative antlers. The restaurant offers a set menu with a focus on truly local ingredients and beautiful yet simple presentation, it feels quite personalised, much like the rest of the hotel.
The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh
The ultimate romantic getaway at the heart of the Scottish capital, The Witchery by the Castle is known for the pure dramatism and opulence of its suites. Similar to the renowned restaurant housed on the ground floor, the suites at The Witchery are sumptuous, indulgent and totally full of fantasy. Minimalists need not apply – rooms are wonderful examples of gothic revival with four poster beds, jewel-toned textiles in velvet, silk and brocade, and carved wood and gilding aplenty! All suites come with a dining hall, sitting room, dressing room or study behind hidden doors offering a complete fantastical home from home experience. If you feel the need to explore further afield, the location really is second to none with all suites slap bang on the Royal Mile and literally steps away from the castle gates. With stunning rooms and a restaurant with a reputation that proceeds it, we don’t think you will want to leave!
Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye
The world-renowned 5-star restaurant The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye boasts such an incredible location on the sea shore of Loch Dunvegan, it made sense to add boutique rooms into the equation and we are glad they did! The House Over-By is comprised of six contemporary bedroom suites just a few steps across the courtyard from the restaurant itself. All 6 bedrooms offers stunning sea views and every guest staying overnight is guaranteed a table reserved from them for dinner in the restaurant on the same evening. The colour palette is neutral with splashes of sea-inspired textiles, natural wood fixtures and furnishings, and an abundance of light flooding in from the plentiful windows. With food such an important event around here, a full Scottish breakfast is served with panoramic loch views in the Lounge every morning for guests. The location may be remote, but there aren’t many locations to offer luxury, comfort and gourmet food swathed in such stunning natural surroundings.
Kylesku Hotel
Sat right on the water with views of the Kylesku Bridge, this hotel’s location is idyllic. The area of Assynt is a beautiful remote region of Sutherland, but the Kylsesku hotel on its fantastically situated peninsula overlooking Loch Glendhu will warmly welcome any visitors in from the untamed nature outside. Some parts of the hotel date from as early as the 17th century although the complex is now made up of a ramble of buildings built up over the years. Inside the hotel has a contemporary feel. – rooms are airy, comfortable and kitted out in a muted cool palette with touches of Scottish textile here and there, whilst the bar and restaurant serve up delicious local seafood to panoramic sea loch views thanks to huge picture windows. Public spaces are decorated with a modern Scandi-Scottish ethos – think bare wood beams, cool copper lighting fixtures and minimalist wood-burning stoves. Whilst there are no gym or spa facilities here, relaxation and escapism is all around this stunning locale and the hotel runs boat trips to a nearby sea colony or the highest waterfall in the UK for fun day trips.
Hotel Du Vin, Glasgow
This luxury boutique hotel is situated in a B-listed Victorian terrace of five townhouses in the leafy West End of the city. The tree-lined avenue is just minutes away from the Botanic Gardens and the bustling heart of the area, Byres Road. Once inside, the atmosphere is that of a grand country house with beautiful stained glass windows and stunning wooden staircases. The hotel boasts a small gym and spa treatment room and has accommodated the likes of George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow and Robbie Williams. The 49 rooms and suites are each individually designed but all with an air of opulence about them. Rich, jewel toned textiles and Victorian features play against more contemporary furniture and fittings. Some rooms feature lovely four-posters, slipper baths and original fireplaces. The hotel doesn’t disappoint on the culinary front either with an award winning bistro serving locally sourced fresh produce from Wood Pigeon to Venison.