The Best Hotels to Book With a Hot Tub in Scotland

Low lighting and the sound of bubbling water transport you to a Zen-like state in this grand hotel on a Georgian street in Glasgow. The Hydrotherapy and Vitality Pools feature body, floor and seated jets to massage every muscle in your body. A series of rooms take you on a journey through wet and dry, warm and cold experiences, but nothing beats those 36C (98F) pools when it’s chilly outside.

“Living the high life” at this AA five-red-star awarded hotel doesn’t refer to its famous guests – the spacious hot tub is situated on a rooftop garden terrace. Inside, the Kohler Waters Spa centres on the therapeutic benefits of mineral-rich water, including a hydrotherapy pool (essentially a big, impressive hot tub), cold plunge pool, ice fountain and “experience showers” that mimic cloudbursts and rainfall.

With an address of the Seafront, this hotel knows a thing or two about the relaxing quality of water. The leisure club’s location on the ground floor provides a view of the Moray Firth as you’re pummelled by bubbles in the indoor jacuzzi. To feel even closer to this remarkable landscape on the west Highlands coast, sink into the outdoor hot tub to take in panoramic views across the lawn to the beach.

The Yu Spa at this newly revamped hotel is inspired by the ancient Japanese belief in the healing power of hot water, so what better way to complement a treatment than by sinking into the hydrotherapy spa pool, where the jets deliver a mini massage in itself. Complete the experience with the sauna and a swim in the ozone (chlorine-free) pool.

Hike among the lochs, mountains and forests of bonny Scotland, safe in the knowledge that when you’re back at base, bubbling hot water awaits. This traditional hotel has a thoroughly modern leisure zone. Besides the indoor hot tub, there’s an 18m (60ft) lap pool, gym, sauna and steam room, plus four candlelit treatment rooms, designed to mirror the tranquillity of the surrounding Trossachs National Park.

Sinking into the heated outdoor spa pool is an elemental experience at Portavadie, a Scandi-style resort situated on the shore of Loch Fyne. Aside from the fantastic leisure facilities, hot tub lovers will delight at the Hideaway, Portavadie’s little white cottage tucked back from the marina. With its private outdoor hot tub and wood-burning stove keeping you warm, you won’t even care what the Scottish weather is up to.

The 19th-century mansion Glencoe House reigns over a majestic plot, between the misty mountains and forests of Scotland’s most iconic Highland landscape. In addition to the main house are six separate one-bedroom suites, and each has a private walled garden containing their own hot tub. Jump in at night for the ultimate stargazing experience, or book Suite One for views of Loch Leven and the ocean from your tub.

Pad down to the bottom of the garden for Trigony House Hotel’s trump card – its Organic Micro Garden Spa. Aside from holistic treatments using skin-quenching Ishga products, there’s a Finnish sauna and wood-fired Swedish hot tub available to hire for exclusive use, so you can relax without interruption among the nature of Nithsdale valley and the comforting aroma of wood smoke.

Book a lodge at this Isle of Arran resort to experience a private wood-panelled hot tub as you take in views of the Goatfell Mountains right from your patio. You can unwind to your own soundtrack, too, simply by yelling to the Amazon Alexa that comes with each lodge. The only resort on the Scottish Isles, inside the hotel you’ll find a 20m (66ft) pool and the Thermal Suite, featuring a sanarium, steam room, foot baths and relaxation zone.