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The Best Hotels in Scotland for Every Traveller

The impressive Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a great choice for a tranquil stay
The impressive Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a great choice for a tranquil stay | © Philip Hills / Alamy Stock Photo

Does your dream getaway feature champagne and a skyline view from a romantic suite? Or perhaps it’s to take off on adventures to mountains and coasts with your trusty pet? Or are you more of a spa junkie who loves a hot tub and a relaxing massage? Whether you’re hiking in the Highlands, exploring historic Edinburgh or strolling through Glasgow’s fashionable West End, we’ve got the perfect hotels in Scotland for every type of traveller.

Malmaison Glasgow

Hotel

A bed with tartan bedspread and desk with chair and wine glasses in a hotel room at Malmaison Glasgow; the furnishings and carpet have contrasting patterns
Courtesy of Malmaison Glasgow / Expedia

A former 19th-century church in the fashionable West End, the Malmaison offers you suites with a distinctive character. The most romantic is the Manhattan loft-style Duplex Suite, where the giant bed sits on a mezzanine and skylights offer a view of the city’s twinkling lights. There’s 24-hour room service if you want to hide away and order up. You can also book a package such as Love Suite Love for champagne in your room and a prix fixe meal.

Dakota Glasgow

Boutique Hotel, Chain Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

A bed, two bedside tables with lamps and a chair in a hotel room at Dakota Glasgow
Courtesy of Dakota Glasgow / Expedia

Dakota’s stylish white-and-grey rooms with squishy beds set the tone for romance. Venture downstairs for great date-night spots, such as the Dakota Bar, where you can sip on martinis and daiquiris, or the heated outdoor cigar terrace. If you can’t drag yourself away from your room, book the package A Night In, Dakota Style, which includes a chateaubriand with sides and sauces and a bottle of Tempranillo red wine, all delivered to your room.

Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Glasgow

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A bed with green accents and a sitting area with a couch and armchairs in a spacious hotel room at Hotel du Vin and Bistro Glasgow
Courtesy of Hotel du Vin and Bistro Glasgow / Expedia
Rocking up at the Hotel du Vin, at 1 Devonshire Gardens, is romantic in itself, as it’s located on an elegant terrace of five cream-coloured 19th-century townhouses and has a curving staircase inside. Up the ante with one of its packages, such as Fabulous Fridays, where champagne on ice awaits in your room and you can order a seasonal prix fixe dinner beneath the chandelier in the oak-panelled restaurant.

Motel One Glasgow

Hotel

Cushioned and leather seating in the lobby of Motel One Glasgow, with a sheep figure and chandeliers made up of fairy lights
Courtesy of Motel One Glasgow / Expedia

Can’t bear to leave your furry companion at home? Cats and dogs alike are welcome at this arty 374-room hotel beside the railway station, themed around the golden era of railway travel in Scotland (pets cost an extra fee of £5 per night). Attractions and open spaces within walking distance, such as George Square, make it easy to bring your pup along whenever you pop out.

Portavadie, Argyll

Spa Hotel, Hotel

The indoor pool at Portavadie, with a view from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the water and cloudy hills in the distance
Courtesy of Portavadie / Expedia

This spa resort with an impressive heated outdoor infinity pool and hot tub isn’t just a haven for humans. Set in a Highland scenery on the coast of Loch Fyne, dogs will be in their element running on the beach and trotting around the marina – you could even take them sailing. Back at base, they’re allowed to stay in the studio apartments, cottages or the eco-lodge Tighnamara, all of which come with kitchens to rustle up your dog’s dinner.

15Glasgow

Boutique Hotel, Bed and Breakfast

A bed, couch, and wardrobe with a full-length mirror in a hotel room with wood flooring at 15 Glasgow in Scotland
Courtesy of 15 Glasgow / Expedia

With the five rooms gifted whimsically Scottish names like Tartan, Thistle and Heather, you know you’re in for some local charm at this boutique B&B. The owner, Lorraine, has plenty of tips on where to visit – and she knows how to make guests feel at home, from her traditional breakfasts and a shared lounge area with comfy sofas to a log fire and complimentary nightcap drinks.

94DR, Edinburgh

Boutique Hotel, Bed and Breakfast

A large bed with cushioned headboard, a fireplace and a sitting area with two armchairs in a stylish hotel room at 94DR in Edinburgh, Scotland
Courtesy of 94DR / Expedia

The owners behind the elegant 94DR, a guesthouse with concierge, will gladly help arrange anything – from restaurant reservations to in-room massages. Their friends affectionately call them “HOGs” (high octane gays), thanks to their passion for fun, as seen in their touches such as an honesty bar and bikes being available to borrow for free. Slightly set away from the main tourist beat, the front-facing rooms have views over Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat.

Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee

Boutique Hotel, Spa Hotel

Modern room with geometric-pattern carpet, mustard-hued drapes and floor-to-ceiling windows at Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa in Dundee
Courtesy of Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa / Expedia

Looking for a spa break? Tucked away in this sleek quayside hotel is the Yu Spa, where Asian flourishes (such a hummingbird wallpaper and Buddha statues) grace the treatment area. You can rotate between the ozone (chlorine-free) pool, sauna, and hydrotherapy hot tub. After a massage, it’s surely time for wining and dining, so bag a window table at the hotel’s Quayside Bar & Grill. Wellness is all about balance, after all.

The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

Hotel, Luxury

The opulent dining room with palm trees, wallpaper, a chandelier and upholstered chairs at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland
Courtesy of the Balmoral Hotel / Expedia
The natural shades of heather, hills and mist in these plush hotel rooms are enough to slip you into a tranquil state, helped by the little extras of Irene Forte skincare and in-room bars. And that’s before you’ve even reached the spa. There, the signature treatment is a hot stone massage, where basalt stones are placed along the body’s chakras to open up energy pathways, while oils of seaweed, lemongrass, lavender and juniper are used to detoxify the skin.

If you fancy a more luxurious stay in stunning Scotland, check out our guide to the most luxurious hotels to book in Scotland, or find out where to stay in Scotland, bookable with Culture Trip.

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