Best Luxury Hotels in Scotland

An independent, family-run establishment, this five-star boutique hotel is set across two heritage buildings. The Victorian townhouses are across the road from each other and have been freshly refurbished to create 35 modern bedrooms, a sunny beer garden and a dining room lounge: the Ba’ Bar. The Roseate Edinburgh takes its interior design cue from the neoclassical architecture familiar to the capital and the owners’ Orcadian roots. Top-end suites come with special features such as roll-top copper baths, four-poster beds, Vispring mattresses, Noble Isle bath products, Chesterfield sofas and a chaise longue. Plus there’s a cute and cosy single room for solo travellers.

Dating back to the 18th century, this former coaching inn has taken on a new lease of life as a fine-dining waterfront hotel. Just 11 rooms ensure the boutique feel remains intimate and there are plenty of homely touches, such as bikes, free newspapers, wellies and waterproofs for guests’ use. A croquet lawn at the front provides elegant recreational opportunities, while local excur. The hotel is dog friendly and has self-catering cottages within the grounds, for those preferring a more private retreat. Or if you’re planning a large get-together why not hire out the whole place to yourselves?

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.

Deep in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, adjacent to Glasgow’s Central Station, The Grand Central Hotel shines a light on beauty, opulence and luxury. After its £20 million refurbishment and transformation, it is one of Glasgow’s most stylish hotels and the winner of 4 Scottish Hotel Awards in 2015, including the Gold Laurel Award. Whether you choose a Deluxe Double, Standard Twin, Junior Suite or one of their three Executive Suites, your stay will include exquisitely furnishings, large plasma screen TV, fluffy robes and free wi-fi throughout the hotel. More than just the hotel, don’t miss the chance to dine at one of Glasgow’s top restaurants and sip champagne and cocktails at their award-winning Champagne Central.

Located in an A-listed converted Georgian Townhouse, it’s nestled in one of Edinburgh’s most fashionable streets, George Street. Perfectly placed for any high-end shopper and gourmand, it’s the ideal place to start exploring the tastes, smells and sights of Edinburgh. Each room in the hotel is beautifully and uniquely decorated to juxtapose the aesthetics of modern design while highlighting the exquisite original features. More than the opulent surroundings, you’ll find each room kitted out with Egyptian cotton sheets, luxury toiletries, and added extras like pre-loaded iPods and access to an extensive DVD library (not to mention complimentary room service at breakfast). Don’t miss their fabulous bar, cocktail bar and restaurant downstairs. You may just find you don’t need to leave the hotel at all!

A restaurant with rooms, this establishment feels bijou and boutique. It’s certainly a good option for foodies; whether you dine a la carte at The Stables, on pub staples at Broc Bar, or grilled dishes in the Garden, you’ll be tucking into award-winning food (Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand 2022 and 5 AA Gold Stars), that follows the hotel’s ‘From Nature to Plate’ philosophy. Book a beamed loft room, a four-poster suite, a superior room with patio doors, a double or a deluxe room – all come with The Bonnie Badger’s own bath products.

Murrayshall Country Estate, a luxurious haven in the heart of Perthshire, Scotland, invites you to escape to its 365-acre countryside retreat. Built in 1664 by Sir Andrew Murray, the estate served as the family home for over 260 years before its transformation into a hotel in 1973. The hotel offers 40 beautifully designed rooms and suites, some featuring period details and all inspired by the stunning natural surroundings. 22 pod-style cabins will open in 2025 which will mark a new form of luxury accommodation for the resort. Guests can experience exceptional fine dining at the award-winning Eolas Restaurant, enjoy relaxed dining in Cairns, and start the evening with cocktails at the stylish Barossa Bar – in the comfort of a roaring log fire. Golf enthusiasts will be in their element with two immaculate parkland courses, while those seeking relaxation can enjoy spa treatments using Ishga products at the Gate Lodge. Murrayshall Country Estate is conveniently located near Scone Palace and Perth and is approximately an hour and a half drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Stroll a mere ten minutes from the centre of Inverness to discover this uber-trendy hotel – the city’s only to have five stars. The sleek, modern Rocpool Reserve, is contained in a Georgian mansion house and overlooks the River Ness. It has its own moody cocktail ‘r bar’ and Chez Roux (part of the wider Roux group) serving everything from amuse-bouche to hearty high-end fare and even special meals for your pooch. Four categories of bedrooms (11 in total) offer delights such as hot tubs, cabin-style saunas, balconies, oversized beds and Tassimo coffee machines, along with dark and dramatic decor. Valet services and beauty treatments are available on request.

Taking up residence in the Old Town’s India Buildings, the Virgin Hotel is homey, plush and contemporary, bedecked in hues of cream. Naturally, you’ll find plenty of pops of red around the place — in the in-room Smeg mini-fridges, on doors and forming the arrival carpet into the lobby. Do stop to look up once inside — the glass cupola ceiling and atrium are quite something when viewed from ground level especially. Dine in the Commons Club for a little old-world glamour, order food and drinks in Eve for a funky feel and spend time in the Victorian Funny Library. Dogs are welcome at the property too and get their own food menu.

W Edinburgh opened in November 2023 and has revolutionised the city’s hospitality scene. Located in the vibrant St James Quarter, this Marriott Bonvoy property combines Edinburgh’s rich history with modern luxury. The hotel features three distinct buildings, Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk, and Quarter House, each offering a unique perspective of the city. Its innovative design includes references to the city’s cultural, historic, and geographical aspects and the unique rooftop W deck rewards visitors with the finest unfettered 360-degree views of Edinburgh and beyond. Inside, elements of fire, water, and local materials create a compelling narrative. W Edinburgh has also introduced exciting dining experiences and social spaces, including Scotland’s first SUSHISAMBA restaurant, celebrating Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisine, the signature W Lounge ideal for all-day dining, and a secret speakeasy bar, João’s Place serving creative cocktails and premium spirits.

For the quintessential turreted fairytale castle experience, book a stay at Barcaldine, on the outskirts of Oban. Beams, wood panels, a great hall, a turnpike staircase, a secret passage and a bottle dungeon below stairs all contribute to the sense of stepping back in time here. The decor is traditionally Highland, with plenty of tartans, tweed, brown leather and claw-footed roll-top tubs. Accommodation is offered on a bed and breakfast basis, with friendly hosts Liz and Ronnie serving a full Scottish and an optional afternoon tea. If you don’t fancy an evening picnic, dinner can be served at the nearby restaurant.

Once the city’s Parish Hall, this AC Hotel is embedded in Glasgow’s historic quarter. It’s found beside the emblematic George Square, close to mainline train stations, major attractions and the major players in the business world. While rooms are minimal and sleek, elements of the building’s period nature are spotted in aspects such as curved windows and ornate ceiling detailing. There’s a wealth of excellent restaurants and cafes on the doorstep, but you can also dine in-house at the Hazel Restaurant (which takes its name from the tree branch seen in the city crest) and in the AC Lounge.