Pine Trees Hotel Review

Set within 10 acres of tranquil woodland on the edge of Pitlochry in Perthshire, Pine Trees is Apex Hotel’s latest rural outpost, having just opened in December following a multimillion-pound refurbishment which has seen all guestrooms and communal spaces completely updated along with a new bar and restaurant offering. The Luxury Editor was kindly invited along for a weekend to catch up with old friends in Pitlochry and discover why Pine Trees has already won ‘Boutique Hotel of the Year’ at the National Hotels of the Year Scotland 2025! 

The movement of ‘coorie living’, Scotland’s answer to the Scandinavian concept of ‘hygge’, really does perfectly describe the atmosphere of Pine Trees. The hotel invites you to disconnect from modern life for a moment and embrace the simplicity of a slower pace. 32 beautifully appointed rooms feature bespoke furnishings and plenty of surprises, some have balconies and patios, some have four poster beds or free-standing bathtubs, while others include cosy lounges ideal to ‘coorie’ away in. The hotel’s ground floor restaurant and bar, Flora and Fauna, offers a contemporary Scottish culinary experience, celebrating locally sourced ingredients while Flora Bar serves an extensive selection of whiskies and cocktails offering the perfect place for a pre, post-dinner or entire evening of indulging.

Thoughtful touches flow throughout, starting with the boot room at the hotel entrance, complete with raincoats and wellies for guests while a large, stylised ceramic green Scottie dog and water bowl signal that pets are more than welcome. Well-stocked Scottish grazing larders packed with complimentary sweet and savoury treats ensure a snack is always on hand at any time of day or night along with welcome drinks and chocolates left in rooms on arrival. Plant-based bathroom products by Laura Thomas Co are the amenity of choice and upon departure, we receive a bag of sweets for the journey home.

A hotel is nothing without staff and here you can expect an exceptionally warm welcome, and by the end of your stay, you’ll likely be on first-name terms, and in our case, this may have been accelerated by my friend’s enthusiastic approach to sampling the bar’s finest libations.

Interiors deliver both warmth and intimacy with many of the hotel’s original features having been retained and restored including its marble staircase, cornicing and stained glass. In the lobby Victorian wood panelling now navy blue and herringbone flooring are contrasted by a curated mix of mid-century and vintage furniture, while decorative ornaments, brass floor standing lamps, and contemporary artwork from Scottish artists add layers of texture and curiosity to the styling.

A wooden reception desk, positioned under the hotel’s sweeping staircase reinforces the tone of welcoming and relaxed, rather than formal hotel atmosphere.

The upper floor landing is now a space where guests can relax with sofas and a Scottish larder station.

Location

It’s an easy fifteen-minute walk from the hotel into Pitlochry town centre and train station, and an hour and a half drive from Edinburgh and two hours from Glasgow. You have a wealth of exploring on your doorstep and the hotel can help you discover the region with bespoke experiences, including Land Rover adventures, salmon fishing on the Tay, clay pigeon shooting in Dunkeld, and whisky experiences at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery (more about this further on)

Rooms and Suites

32 unique and individually styled guest rooms and suites are spread across the first floor of the main Victorian mansion, The Coach House, Heatherbank House, and the Cottage. Options range from Snug Rooms (19 sqm), perfect for short stays with their cosy design, super king-size beds, and bespoke furnishings, to Comfy Rooms (28 sqm), which provide a more spacious, light-filled setting with period features, a super king-size bed, and a comfortable seating area.

Comfy Luxe Rooms (33 sqm) offer enhanced comfort and stunning views, combining rural elegance with modern touches. These spacious rooms feature bespoke furnishings, vintage-style DAB radios, GHD hairdryers, and premium Laura Thomas Co. toiletries. One room can be configured as a twin on request. Suites (36 sqm) are designed for longer stays, each uniquely styled with separate living areas, bespoke furnishings, and en-suite bathrooms. Some suites can be adapted into family rooms with a pull-out sofa bed, while three offer the flexibility of twin configurations.

All rooms come with a vintage-style DAB radio with a built-in Bluetooth receiver to stream your own choice of music, GHD hairdryer, slippers and bathrobes. Walk-in shower (certain rooms also feature roll-top baths) featuring luxury and sustainable toiletries by Laura Thomas Co.

Drina Luxe Suite

Located at the front of the property on the first floor looking out to the gardens below the Drina Luxe Suite is the largest room in the hotel. Sitting at 65 sqm this expansive space is broken up by a central yellow floating storage island separating it into a living and sleeping area while maintaining the room’s openness. Awash with historical features, from the original detailed cornicing and grand mouldings along with panel work and marble fireplace all sit in harmony with contemporary and upcycled furnishings. In the bathroom a freestanding tub is positioned beneath its windows, allowing you to unwind while enjoying the Perthshire scenery.

Heatherbank House

Along with the main hotel property, Pine Trees also features two additional standalone buildings and a cottage. I stayed in room 40 (named Grey Wagtail) in Heatherbank House, a short one-minute walk from the main hotel building. The building is split up into two rooms on the ground floor and on the upper floor further rooms, with a communal upper-floor lounge, ideal for larger parties.

Upon entering Heatherbank House you are immediately greeted by a Scottish Larder replenished daily these feature across all hotel buildings – help yourself at any point in the day or night to a complimentary snack and you will also find small bottles of milk for coffee in the fridge there too.

At 36 sqm Room 40 runs the full length of one side of Heatherbank House. Floating in the middle of the suite a king-sized bed framed by a half-height white wood paneled feature wall creates a corridor with a console table and lamp leading to the bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. At the bottom of the bed and to one side velvet sofas in muted orange hues provide a relaxed space to unwind or watch TV, while opposite French doors open out to a private terrace.

A host of locally sourced Scottish welcome treats awaited me, with chocolates from Ian Burnett Chocolatier, gin from Pickering’s and whisky from Edradour Distillery. Other sustainable touches include coffee bags for a cafetiere offering an eco-friendly alternative to a Nespresso machine and the elimination of plastic by the use of mineral water by Belu Water.

You will be forgiven for not wanting to leave the bathroom, a freestanding tub sits in a central position and across a spacious glass enclosure walk-in shower with gold fixtures, and a large rain showerhead is complimented with toiletries by North Berwick Laura Thomas Co. The minimalist vanity is paired with a cubic porcelain sink and brass trimmed mirror while marble walls and floors with soft grey veining add subtle movement to the room’s neutral palette.

The suite also includes an additional tucked-away guest area with bunk beds, making it perfect for families with young children. While a spacious walk-in wardrobe and dressing table provide ample storage ensuring that clothes and suitcases can be neatly stored out of sight, a blessing for people like myself who travel heavy and are messy, allowing me to maintain an organised, clutter-free and zen-like bedroom experience during my stay.

Coach House

Next to Heatherbank House is the Coach House, at its heart a spacious room with a high vaulted ceiling and industrial design and in the centre, a long wooden dining table with sleek black chairs provides a communal space for guests.

To the left and right on both lower and upper floors are a series of guest rooms and suites, some with independent entrances.

Food and Drink

Local nature is at the very heart of Pine Trees, all rooms are named after local plants and animals, and this ethos circles back to the restaurant and bar aptly named Flora and Fauna.

Flora Bar

Delivering an intimate atmosphere, curved armchairs with a cocooning sense of comfort are set around sleek, minimalist marble and stone-topped tables, with light coming from up lighters which give off a soft, diffused glow. Service is slick and the cocktails even slicker – the margarita is a must!

Fauna Restaurant

Led by head chef Michael Hibbins Fauna showcases Scotland’s larder at its finest, this is superlative farm-to-fork dining with over 80% of ingredients coming from Scotland. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried with no rush to turn tables, choose between their all-day dining menu and evening dinner menu which you can mix and match from during the dinner service. Scallops are hand-dived for in the Orkney Islands, meat is from Yorkes of Dundee butchers, while honey is from producers Heather Hills.

Breakfast

Like the dinner service, breakfast too is flawless, with a contemporary take on morning classics, served à la carte this concise menu has something to please both the sweet and savoury palate.

Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery Whisky Explorer Experience

During my stay, the hotel organised a visit to Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery so I could try their new Whisky Explorer Experience. This immersive tour introduces you to the heritage, craftsmanship, and flavours of Dewars Blended Scotch and Aberfeldy Single Malt.

Beginning with an introductory film and a visit to the heritage museum, followed by a guided distillery tour revealing the whisky-making process. You explore the 1898 warehouse buildings, starting in the Old Filling Store to learn about casking and maturation, before moving to the Blenders Bothy to discover Dewar’s double ageing and Double Double process, enhanced by projection technology featuring Master Blender Stephanie Macleod. A highlight is the tutored whisky tasting, featuring five carefully selected drams, including aged expressions and limited editions.

Final Thoughts

With its award-winning status already secured, Pine Trees sets a new benchmark for boutique luxury in Scotland. Guaranteeing to leave you feeling reconnected with nature and at one with yourself, it offers the perfect escape in the heart of rural Perthshire and we can confirm first-hand once you check in you won’t want to leave!

Pine Trees is included in our guide to the best hotels in Perthshire