Best Luxury Hotels in Scotland

The 269 rooms at this Grand Hotel overlooking Festival Square, feature Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience beds and marble bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs. Set right in the commercial heart of Edinburgh, close to financial institutions, the shops of Princes Street and walking distance from the Old Town, this hotel suits all types of travellers. But many (including locals) come here purely for its remarkable spa. At the very top is an outdoor infinity hydropool with stunning views, while inside, there’s an upscale thermal suite, a large swimming pool and treatment rooms. Also onsite is the One Square restaurant and One Square Bar.

As the only five-star hotel on the city’s High Street, there’s no better-placed luxury property for sightseeing the UNESCO-listed landmarks. It’s one of two Radisson hotels in the city centre; guests have access to the facilities (including a pool and sauna) at the other just a five-minute stroll away. Book one of the nine suites if you’re seeking a bold, colour-filled and bohemian aesthetic; each has been individually designed by native artists and designers. Interconnecting and accessible rooms are also available. For onsite wining and dining, there’s the Cucina restaurant and the Epicurean bar. 

The highlight of this boutique establishment is its rooftop garden terrace with far reaching views. Not only a convivial place to take the ozone with a cocktail in hand, this space also serves a practical purpose as home to a variety of plants and herbs, which are used in the hotel’s dishes and beverages. Guests can also drink inside in the Snug and sample the best of Scottish cooking at the Observatory restaurant. The Glasshouse accommodates 77 bedrooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows, Nespresso coffee machines, artworks and individual design.

Bursting with individuality and charm, The Scotsman Hotel is an Edinburgh institution. The beautiful Baroque buildings in which this luxury hotel sits was once home to the National Newspaper – which is now the hotel’s namesake. Interiors showcase many original features, including luxurious floor-to-ceiling wood-panelled rooms, grandiose marble staircase and stained glass windows – all combined with modern amenities and unique signature details. Each of its  58 rooms and 14 suites is individual, stylishly appointed and a comfortable sanctuary in the heart of the city. Guests can dine at the hotel’s destination restaurant, enjoy a drink in the bar or seek a moment of solitude in many of the cosy spaces throughout the hotel. And home to a 48-seater classic cinema, guests can enjoy a trip to the Picturehouse with the utmost convenience.

Just off the beaten track, but a stone’s throw from the major attractions, this quiet and stunning four-star boutique hotel is a gem for any visitor. Juxtaposing bold colours, rich textures and contemporary art with original features and architecture, their 49 rooms are a blend of historic elegance with modern-day design. Each room, whether standard doubles or junior suite, gives guests a place of serenity and calm in the heart of this beautiful city. For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, you must book one of their two executive suites. You’ll be rewarded with plenty of space, beautifully finished modern furniture, stunning bathrooms with period features, Freeview TV and free WiFi. And don’t forget to peek your head out the window for magnificent views over Drumsheugh Gardens.

Eden Locke, located on Edinburgh’s George Street, combines boutique hotel luxury with the flexibility of self-catering accommodation. Featuring 72 stylish studios and suites, each with a kitchen and lounge area, the aparthotel is ideal for extended stays. Amenities include a co-working space, onsite café, pet-friendly policies, superfast Wi-Fi, and modern conveniences like rainfall showers and smart TVs. Its prime location offers easy access to key landmarks such as Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle, with Waverley Station just a 15-minute walk away.

The Address Glasgow, a new 95-bed boutique hotel by the family-owned Irish hospitality group The Address Collective, has opened its doors in the heart of Glasgow on Renfield Street, marking its first venture outside Ireland. The six-storey hotel, housed in a meticulously renovated classical building dating back to the 1890s, includes a restaurant, a fully equipped gym, and a wellness suite with a unique Himalayan rock salt sauna and plunge pool. The opening of this luxury hotel, which invested over £9 million in renovations, has not only brought an elevated sense of luxury and Scottish heritage to Glasgow but also enhanced the city’s hospitality scene. North, a 70-seater restaurant and bar within the hotel, focuses on casual dining with contemporary dishes and sustainable produce. The hotel is an urban retreat and a perfect reflection of Glasgow’s rich culture.

Situated in the old Work & Pensions building in the city centre, Dakota Glasgow offers the best in affordable luxury and top-quality cuisine. On a quiet street just steps from Sauchiehall Street, you couldn’t be closer to the city centre pubs, restaurants, clubs and theatres. The interior of the hotel is as striking as its painted black exterior, with lots of exposed brickwork mixed with luxe furnishings and fittings – all very effortlessly stylish! The 83 rooms and suites are light and spacious with full-length windows which wouldn’t look out of place in an NYC loft and walls and soft furnishings dressed in the trademark dark grey tones that run throughout. The olive-tiled bathrooms are also a delight and add to the calming and peaceful ambience. In terms of food, the Dakota offers an in-house Bar & grill helmed by a head chef who trained under Rick Stein, and their impressive Champagne Bar is perfect for private dining or special occasions!

Located in a three-storey Edwardian townhouse just west of the city centre, Abode Glasgow is the Scottish offering from the brand awarded as AA Hotel Group of the year 2017/18. Formerly the home of Scottish-born Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, Abode Glasgow offers a hotel bursting in contemporary style whilst also protecting the beautiful original features of the building. Rooms are spacious and decorated using a calming colour palette of heathers, blues and zesty greens reminiscent of the Highland countryside. The hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the bars, restaurants and shops of the city centre as well as most of the main transport links. Dining options include their Brasserie Abode, a relaxed but sophisticated space serving up comforting classics (they also do a cracking Sunday lunch), or Pie & Brew, the more hipster basement bar cum restaurant which has craft beers on tap, delicious pies for sustenance, and live music most nights.

Believe it or not, this boutique hotel was once an Episcopal Church, which lends culture and heritage to the beautiful space. It may have once been a church, but Malmaison is anything but austere. The crowd tends to be young and hip, and each of the rooms are lush and contemporary. Dine at the onsite brasserie for fusion fare or head to the Malbar for an upbeat vibe and wild cocktails that sets the tone for a night of excitement.

Overlooking the River Clyde, the Clayton Hotel Glasgow City is a family-friendly 4-star hotel close to the city’s main shopping streets, art galleries, bars & restaurants, and transport links. The hotel comprises over 300 spacious and modern rooms ranging from deluxe to suites – all with the amenities a discerning traveller expects, including access to the fitness suite. Lunch, dinner, and informal drinks are all served in the hotel’s Custom House Restaurant and bar, where a relaxed vibe and quality menu can be enjoyed.

Merchant City, Fraser Suites Glasgow offers a luxurious stay blending historic charm with modern amenities. Housed in a beautifully renovated 1850s Victorian building, this hotel features spacious studios, and one- and two-bedroom serviced apartments, each equipped with a kitchenette, dining area, and relaxing lounge. Guests enjoy a range of facilities, including an onsite gym, continental breakfast, laundry services, and pet-friendly amenities. Conveniently located, the suites are just a short walk from Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and corporate travellers. Fraser Suites Glasgow is also a Silver Green Tourism property, committed to sustainability with 100% renewable energy.