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The Best Hotels With Pools in Scotland

The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland, is home to the first Kohler bathing experience outside of America
The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland, is home to the first Kohler bathing experience outside of America | Courtesy of Old Course Hotel / Expedia
Photo of Siobhan Warwicker
Siobhan Warwicker
25 November 2020

Wild swimming might be in vogue, but these hotels in Scotland have pools that will turn the head of any water baby. From stunning views of Highland hills and spa pools with body-massaging jets to heated outdoor pools that let you stay warm while breathing in the fresh air, these mini water worlds take centre stage. Here are Culture Trip’s picks of Scotland’s best hotels with pools.

Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow

Spa Hotel, Hotel
Map View
Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel
Courtesy of Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel / Expedia
Even if you haven’t booked a full-body massage, you can still experience a pummelling, thanks to the two hydrotherapy pools at the five-star Kimpton Blythswood Square (the only hotel in the city with AA accreditation). The set-up is designed for relaxation – but you may need to brace yourself for the hot-and-cold theme, where you hop out of the 36C (97F) pool straight into an ice fountain, rubbing ice flakes over your body to give your circulation a boost.
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Old Course Hotel, St Andrews

Hotel, Spa Hotel, Golf Hotel
Map View
Old Course Hotel
Courtesy of Old Course Hotel / Expedia
At the 19th hole of one of the world’s most famous golf courses – the Links at St Andrews’ West Sands Beach – resides this lavish 144-room AA hotel with five red stars. It’s home to the first Kohler bathing experience outside of America, which harnesses the healing properties of mineral-rich waters. Spread across 25,000 square feet (2,323sqm), you’ll find a 66-foot (20m) pool, a hydrotherapy pool, hot-and-cold rooms, a garden hot tub and two ‘wet’ treatment rooms offering Kohler bathing experiences.
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Golf View, Nairn

Spa Hotel, Hotel
Map View
Golf View Hotel & Spa, Nairn
Courtesy of Golf View Hotel & Spa, Nairn / Expedia | Courtesy of Golf View Hotel & Spa, Nairn / Expedia
If you love being surrounded by water, you are in for a treat at the leisure club here, as the 46-foot (14m) indoor pool and Jacuzzi, as well as the outdoor hot tub, overlook the Moray coastline. Under the drier and sunnier microclimate of the seaside resort Nairn, the hotel is a sanctuary from which to explore the Highlands, from Loch Ness to a clutch of castles.
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Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee

Boutique Hotel, Spa Hotel
Map View
Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa
Courtesy of Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa / Expedia | Courtesy of Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa / Expedia
Having just splashed several million pounds on an upgrade, the Apex City Quay is the perfect destination for a relaxing stay. A Japanese-inspired spa offers around 50 treatments, with Elemis products as standard. Alongside the 39-foot (12m) ozone swimming pool (sanitised with a circulation system rather than chlorine), you’ll find a hydrotherapy spa pool as well as a herbal-infused steam room and sauna. There are dedicated swim times for families, so you can enjoy adults-only serenity for most of the day.
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Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa, Stirlingshire

Spa Hotel, Hotel
Map View
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa, Stirlingshire
Courtesy of Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa, Stirlingshire / Expedia | Courtesy of Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa, Stirlingshire / Expedia
Wrap up in fluffy robes and slippers while clinking glasses of prosecco at this countryside escape, which is geared up for spa-package breaks. Full-length windows fronting the 59-foot (18m) indoor pool create the feeling of bathing in nature, with views of the Trossachs National Park. If you’re inspired to get out and explore the surrounds of Loch Ard and Ben Lomond, a crackling fire will await you when you get back to the base.
Everything you need to know

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    • Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh

    Hotel, Luxury
    Map View
    Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
    Courtesy of Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh / Expedia | Courtesy of Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh / Expedia
    Throw open your curtains to a view of the glorious Edinburgh Castle when you wake up at the Sheraton Grand, which is right in the middle of the capital’s UNESCO World Heritage city centre (book a Castle View room or suite). Bathing reaches new heights at the semi-circular rooftop infinity hydro pool, where waterjets target different muscle groups for an underwater massage. If it’s a workout you’re after, the 62-foot (19m) indoor lap pool stays open until late.
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    The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

    Hotel, Luxury
    Map View
    The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
    Courtesy of The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh / Expedia
    Heritage meets 21st-century luxury at the Balmoral, an oasis above the shopping strip of Princes Street. Occupying a landmark Neo-Renaissance building, the bathrooms are marble, and a harpist strums on the balcony. Slink off to the Turkish steam room and Finnish sauna, or, under calming dimmed lights, work up an appetite for a Michelin-starred meal in the 49-foot (15m) lap pool.
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    Portavadie, Argyll

    Spa Hotel, Hotel
    Map View
    Portavadie, Argyll
    Courtesy of Portavadie, Argyll / Expedia
    An eco-friendly building on the shore of Loch Fyne, this hotel built from glass, steel and stone practically brings nature into the leisure zone with its wide views of the water and Kintyre. Pools are taken seriously here. At 872 square feet (81sqm), it’s laid claim to the biggest heated outdoor infinity pool in Scotland. There are also outdoor spa pools, a 52-foot (16m) indoor swimming pool and a toddlers’ pool with water features.
    Everything you need to know
    These recommendations were updated on November 25, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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